The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-11-09
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Sanfiam Academy,

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scriptlon, but the trustees very dextross.
ly dovetai the free school fund Of this
district into its support. A bequest Of
an estimable citizen, consisting of the in.
tercst arising from 81 900 to be a per-
petual donation to the Santiam Academy.
is made gracious gift TO the teacher
yields no benefit TO the public and only
serves as tempting bait to catch hungry
teachers"
To establish tho truth OF the above
quotation together with all else we have
said with reference to tho institution of
learning at this place, We will make
brief exhibit Of this famous Saptiam
Academy.
About the year 1854 the idea was con-
ceived to build the Santam Academy, and
in order to mature tho idea and conduct
1t to successful termination it was meet
to solicit aid Of all, and unite the feel
ings aud sympathies of the people 10 this
vicinity. Hence tho idea TO obtain con.
tributions was held ont to many to be,
that the institution was to be free from
sectarian or political control aud BY rea-
son Of this agreeable and liberal nssLr-
anee, money was literally subscribed, the
building was erected, aud the institution
established. 1t was not long, however,
until suggestions were rife that il would
much better subserve the educational in.
terests of the people to have the institu,
ton placed under the guardianship of the
Methodist Church. So the supervisors
or managers of the Institution obtained
transfer Of majority Of the stock sub
scribeFs, and then gracefully muzzlcd the
balance and turned the wEo'e thing over
to the Methodist Church We are not
adverse TO placing institutions Of learn.
ing under the patronage Of the Metho-
dist Church, or any other religious de-
nomination; believing instruction i'm
parted TO the youthful mind that is persa-
ded with true religious zest furnishes
paramount security to society against
moral decay. But We hesitate to nc.
knowledge the propFiety Of any assoeia.
tion Of persons to obtain money under
false prctenoes, immaterial what the OBJ.
ject may be.
This institution was thus established,
solely depending upon the voluntary pat.
ronage of the people for its success and
support, until A. d. 1860; when Owen
KEGS, in his last will and testament, be-
queathcd, for the use and benefit Of the
Santiam Academy, the interest accruing
upon a certain remainder of bis estate,
amounting to 81 900 instead of 81 900
as first stated. The will expressly de-
clares that the executor shall loan out the
remainder of the estate at INTEREST," .900)
to draw from ten to twenty per cent. an
nualIy, TO be paid within the year, for the
use and benefit Of the Academy, for hir-
ing and paying teachers SO long as it re-
mains a school @
Inasmuch as the said interest Ias not
been disbursed in the manner set forth in
the will, the people in this ncighborhood
at least have right to know the reason
it has not We know the teachers charge
full price for tuition, and the patrons are
taxed to pay them the uttcrmost farthing
for their services, including doubtful in
c;dentai expenses. This being the case,
it looks little mysterious how an honora-
bic and independent gentleman can claim
and pocket money without pretensc of
compensation cheating little children
out of their rights to the g fountains OF
instruction" that g ignorance" and ''loy-
atty" may enjoy brotherly embrace. -
The teachers Of this institution are not
hereby impugned with any very criminal
motives in sponging the dopation money,
for they can justify tho deed by the mis-
deeds of others.
There is an egregious error perpetra-
ted by some one that engineers this insti
tuition 70 whom does this error belong
We suppose, from the positive obligations
of the will, the executor hands oyer the
money to the trustees, confidently expect.
ing them to apply it to the /" use and
benefit, hiring and paying teachers of the
Santiam Academy" But it appears they
betray confidence, rob justice and inno
cencs of their rights by thrusting it into
the itching palms Of those that give nc
equivalent -.
How trustees and teachers reconcile
this with law, justice, and christian char
ity we are at loss to divine. 1t would
be just of as much use and benefit" tC
the school If the trustees we're to divide
the donation among themselves or send
it to China. ST
i It cannot be said that it is necessary tt
bestow this gratuity upon the teachers tc
enable them to make a decent living, fol
it is well known tho former teacher, upor
/ taking charge Of the institution, pecun
iarIy,. presented the counterpart Of one o.
/ the iean-fesbed kline Of PhaTaoh bui
+ when he left. his very eyes were 'fbug
ging'" out with fatness. Even the pres
| emf Incumbent is. represented, by those
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