Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-10-03
TO THE SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.

In your issue of last week ! find a column deyo-
ted to the action of the School Board of this Town
ship in regard to the tar which has been levied for
Educational and School-house purposes, to which
desire very briefly as one of the board, 10 reply.
First when the tax was assessed it was done under
the law of 1865. and assert here most positively,
that the Board had knowledge whatever, at
that time, that there was in existence such law rs
the Amended Law of February, 1867. The 18th
Section OF that Law names the sum of two Whisper
Dollar as the Lowest amount to be assessed for Edu-
eatonal purposes and in the absence of any lights
10 guide us in the matter, for certainly saw none
as TO what amount two mills would produce) we
took the smallest amount named in the law.
Second, as to the one and half mills for School
House purposes: We took as basis for our esti-
mate that there would have to be 5 SchoOl-hou
three 70 be built, and the Fleetwood and Wilt
shire houses 10 be had on the best terms we could
get them. The tax book shews an aggregate sum
Of about $500 arising from the tax of q mills
for building purposes. l have the experience of
one of the most intelligent gentlemen OF our Coun-
", who served as School Commissioner last year,
that the deficit between the tax book and what was
realized was one sixth. and that in Township Sc
cond only TO ours in point of wealth and population,
and find upon the tax book Que hundred thousand
dollars worth Of property taxed that is not in our
Township which viii amount TO $50, to be deduct
ed from that fund. The incidental expenses as pro-
rided By lao for the collecting and disbursing OF
this fund will amount TO six per can't, which will
Now, If you follow me through this calculation,
you will find that in all probability about $500 will
have 70 be deducted from the amount shewn upon
the tax book, leaving in round numbers about So
GOO for the building fund.
This assessment was made under the l4th Sec. Of
the law which says "the board shall levy tax not
more than mills per dollar for that purpose. -
Now for the other side of the question: The Stone
School house in Charlestown has been rebuilt at
cost of S465, to furnish the same, fence the lot &c
will cost $3.50 more. Take your own estimate IN
your article Of last week and am sure it will fall
short las we have the lot TO buy to erect Of the
houses UPON Of $1,000 for two more the gentle.
men who own the Fleetwood house have demanded
Of the board, as think they have perfect right
TO do, pay for that house and lot, and have named
the sum Of $500 for the same. Leaving the Wilt
shire house to be provided for. and we have the
Of 5000 10 be met by the building fund which,
according TO nv showing above, will, probably a
mount to $4,000. The above estimates based
upon the law and tax book, and will cheeriully
produce the for inspection Of any one who may
desire 10 see them.
As to the tax of two mills for Educational pur-
poses, confess the board had no idea of what a
mount il would produce, and 90 Messrs. Myers
and Leisenring the justice to say that they mani
tested all the disposition possible in conformity TO
the law 70 make the tax as low as possible and we
took the smallest amount named in the law that
was before US.
Now, rs to the fund spoken of in the Martinsburg
Bank which you say was received by former as
sessment: There never was any assessment by the
board for this fund, and it was ONLY procured By
the board at the very last day by the hearty coop
Grafton Of Mr.. Barry, the County Superintendent,
from the State tax. Our share Of that tax for sc
and G7 and out Of which the expense Of the schools
and other expenses have been met since the organ
ization OF the school board. was Sl09G paid for
myself and those whom ] represent. over one hun
dred dollars school tax for 1866, and having Chill
dTen 10 educate that had not been inside OF school
house since 1862, did put myself TO some trouble
TO secure whatever might be coming to Us from the
school fund. You say something about inefficient
teachers the length of time thew teach, &c. The
school law makes il the duty Of the school board to
employ only for teachers persons who have been
examined by the County Superintendent. and who
have his certificate for competency, &c. and out Of
that number the board have made the selections
and If YOU will take the trouble examine the min
utes Of the board-for they open to the inspec-
ton Of yourself or any one el'e-that there is an
order there requiring the teachers 10 teach six
hours per day, and in the School in my own neigh
bOrhood ii has been complied with Now rs TO
your remark about inexcusable ignorance in the
matter. put it to any candid and intelligent man
10 say if the foregoing statement and facts develop
very great amount Of ignorance. and as 20 having
aspirations to office, don't think any sane man
would ever aspire 90 the office Of School Commits
sinner because Of any profit or honor that attaches
to the Office and in our day when the article Of pa
triotism is at such discount | cannotimagine why
any one would even consent to serve in that capnci
tv unless he was honest in his intentions to try TO
do some good toward the education Of the young.
The school board hold their Office by appointment
from the County Superintendent. think there is
no man who knows better than yourselfthat have
never sspired 10 any Office. ] never = candi-
date for any Office and certainly never intend to be-
Some one it seems put me in nomination for Town
ship Treasurer, and am sure who ever did it will
do me the justice to say it was done without my
consent or knowledge.
As to the disposition, spoken Of by You, to op-
press leave that 70 those who know me best 20 say
if they believe am capable Of any such quality Il
| had the power. In conclusion, ] will say. that
think and feel that it is iibera and unkind in YOU
to put forth the impression that have So 600 in
hands. when have only collected about 81 600 and
when it will be rccolected that up to the date Of
your article, ! would have had only fuur DAYS by
the law to have demanded payment of the same
What was paid was paid by the persons who came
forward voluntarily, and without my demanding
it. II the school board have the right. which
suppose they have to take the amended law and re-
duce the tax for Educational purposes. ! will 20
with them most cheerfully. and will promptly re-
fund to those who have paid the tax whatever the
board NAV direct.
Oct. s, 1867. JOHN C. COCKRELL.
Secretary McCulloch has issued circular