Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-03-08
Abolition Iptermeddling with tn
Public Schools.
SPEECH OF
HON. ARCHIBALD MAYO,
Delivered in the Ohio House Of Representatives,
onue I'd of March, 1864.
OF BUTLER COUNTY,

Delivered in the Ohio House Of Representatives,
on nte2 I'd Of March, 1864.
Mr.. MAYO said
Mr.. SPEAKER: If the member of this city
was in his place, should add nothing to
what has already been said. In his absence
/ take it ON myself to reply to the gentle
man from Scioto, because this bill ought
not to pass without a complete exposure Of
its character, motives and object. 1t pro-
poses to change an elective system of more
than fifteen years standing, without sim
gle petition from the people, or a particle
of evidence being presented to this body,
showing that the change is either desired
or needed by them, and In spite of the pro-
tests of their representatives. In every
case when graded schools have been organ
lied in this State, the law of their organza-
tion has been adopted by the vote of the
people. 1t is said that it would be more
democratic If each ward elected its own Di-
rector. Is it democratic for us, ignorant of
the character and condition of their schools,
to tamper with their organic law and long
established usages, by the passage Of bill,
introduced by gentleman as ignorant as
ourselves, and backed up by no authentic
or tangible information as to the needs, in
terests and desires Of the people interested?
We are told that the Democrats owe their
seats here to the principle oflocal represen-
tation. But we would not be in this House
if the voice of the Republican wards and
townships in our counties had not been
nullified by the will of the majority at
large. And Hamilton county's delegation,
large as 1t is, does not represent the will Of
the local Democratic majorties in the per-
son of single member. In some cases, one
member of this House represents two and
three counties, in which case even an en-
tire county may be deprived of Its choice.
e The theory of local representation, whom
applied to townships and wards, is myth,
active invention n h e Il ts Y nGs 81 Se S aS @
want Of something better to sustain it, and
bears no analogy to the facts of our demo-
cratic system Of political government
Why, even County Commissioners, null
tiplex as are their duties and various
as are the local interests under their
care, are chosen by an arbitrary
majority, irrespective of townships or
wards. Because the principle of representa-
tion is necessary in the Government Of
States. in view of the extent of their terri
tory, greatness Of population and multiple
ity OF interests, is no reason for extending
1t to every minute division of the body
polite and running it to a ridiculous ex-
cess. Its application to very liberal ex-
tent is necessary to the security Of Freedom
beyond that it only serves to make the
system unwieldy, complicated and en-
barassing. Besides this, the partisan strife
and bitterness unavoidably attending rep
resentative Government, run high enough
at the best and have already sufficiently
imperilled the country, to make 1t unde-
sirable to multiply their occasions and in
eentives. Above all let them not come
mar tho r,rfhIio onhnol---0ttr odaI rarrhlio
where hitherto there was no distinction OF
sect, creed, station or party-the sacred
spot where the embryo Is Future being fash
! ioned, formed and moulded for veal or woe
the best hope of this Republic. In the name
of all we value, let us not taint the fountain
at its source, with the bitter venom of these
unhappy times. Let that at least be neutral
ground, where envy, pride, hatred and all
uncharitableness can not enter. Our noble
system has a single object dear alike to men
of every sentiment and station, sect and
creed. The interests of all alike, demand
that Il shall be under the control of the best
men, irrespective of eueyy other considers
tion. And to the end that they may be OBJ
tanned, the people of any district should be
free to choose from the whole territory in
chlded therein, without being trammeled
by localities--it being preferable, if con-
sistent with the accomplishment of the
primary object, to have their residences
central and near together, for convenience
in assembling. In the choice of officers fol
the body poIitic political principles are
often of more Importance than men-noi
so with the public schools.
Ipass to the next reason assigned for the
introduction Of this bill-that in every Other
city and large town, the Directors are elect
ed by wards-which is about equivalent tt
the excuse for adopting ridiculous fash
ion, that everybody else does the same. But
] propose to tear away even this poor an6
fiimsy excuse. Every city or town in the
State of Ohio, having an enumeration of pu-
pills In graded Schools of q thousand an6
upwards, with the exception of eight have
upon the Statute book, which prescribe that
the Boards of Education shall be elected by
the majority Of the people at large. OF the
eight graded School districts, organized UNI
der special acts, at least one Columbus
has like provision In its organic law
Whether 1t is so with either Of the remain
/, ing seven, j am not advised--they are Gin
cinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, GAINESVILLE
Portsmouth, Massill0n and Lancaster. There
are three laws under which the schools In
other cities and towns are organized that
known as the Akron law" the law Of 1S4t
and the law of 1853.
The act passed February 14th, IS48 fol
extending the provisions Of an act entitled
ssan act for the support and better regula.
tion of Common Schools in the town oil
Akron" and the. amendatory acts thereto,
to the cities and Incorporated towns of this
State, provide Is. & c. Stat. vol. 2 page
1875 y
Sec. .. That "the electors qualified 70 vote fot
emeqbe!s Of the town OF city coanci! shall assemble
~ 3s 8sss n' a}socss f aos sS css 49, IS s
y g town q S9sHe a s1s thsp and srs poosad .
The aact for the better regulation Of the
public schools IN. cities towns, etc, passed
February 81. lS40,. Is. q G. Stat. vol. ! page
1879, provides in It's first section, under