The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-12
Why WAS THIS BILL PREPARED2

I
as '.a Bill relating to the School Distric
of Wheeling"
| WHY WAS THIS BILL PREPARED?
The reason is this: The Bill for the
District of Wheeling only contains q
few (12) sections and refers to an ''act
providing for the establishment of a
| system of free schools" passed Dec. 10
1858, for such further provisions as were
necessary. The 9th section of the
law for the State at large, declares that
IT'S provisions shall apply to the CITY OF
| Wheeling-onlys so far as the same may
be in conformity with IAN act to pro-
vide free schools for the city of Wheel
! ing" &c. -E-f
There was a diversity of opinion
among the members of the Board Of
| Education, and between LAWYERS OF
good standing in their profession, as to
whether the amendments to this State
law referred to, applied to Wheeling:
| and also as to the application of certain
sections that had not been amended
| By this diversity of opinion the Board
was SO hindered in its duties as to be.
| come involved in serious difficulties.
In order to obtain relief, com
mittee was appointed with instruc-
tions to examine the State law,
and incorporate such of its provisions
| in the law for the district of Wheeling,
as were deemed necessary; and to make
such changes as the experience of the
past year in conducting the schools
under the new law demanded. BY this
! means whole and complete law for
| the district was sought to be provided
and the difficulties arising for differ
ences of opinion as to what sections oil
the State laws were applicable to Wheel
ing, and what were not avoided. This
committee reported a bill to the Board OF
Education, which as amended is now
before the Legislature.
WHAT Is THE NATURE OF THIS BILL?
1t Incorporates the provisions of the
State law in sofar as they were deemed
applicable, almost word for word. The
order of the sections is changed, but if
the reader viii take the trouble to ex-
anime and compare this bill with the
State law, he will find that with a very
Few exceptions, its very language is re-
tanned. This is therefore not in fact a
new law, but the re-iterations of the
law already passed, in n form that is
more convenient for our use. But GER
tain changes have been made, because
without them our school system in the
District, cannot be successfully operat-
ed.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE?
Besides such changes of verbiags as
made the provisions of the State law
apply to the District instead of the
terial changes as the follow viz:
1. That which gives the Board the
power to levy so cents on the 500 for
building purposes, instead of the act OF
December 10, 1863, or any of its various
amendments. This is necessary in or
der TO meet the present Indebtedness OF
the Board. Also, a change to so instead
of 40 cents on the 500, for the purpose
of carrying on the school. This is also
necessary, because with the increase of
our population, additional teachers are
needed.
2. That which provides for drawing
the levy for school purposes directly
from the Sheriff, instead of the County
treasurer, thereby saving one per cent.
on the amount.
3. That which takes the management
OF the finances out of the hands of the
District Superintendent, and confines
his services to the department OF edu-
cation.
4. That which gives authority to the
Board, instead of the State Superin-
tendent, to prescribe a list of class
5: Thai ,olieh takes a,0ay from the
board, all POIcer to BORROW money, ez
eept for cGHeeILtnS the present de6t,
trhIch they mast do IN tICo years.
these are all the changes that are of
any material importance, and these are
believed TO be necessary.
1t is earnestly hoped that there may
be no disagreement among our citizens
on this subject, but that we may come
to an understanding and act harmoni-
ously- 1T is to be hoped that we all
alike, desire to advance the cause of
education.
The above statement is not made on
behalf of the Board of Education, but
on our own responsibility.
j. L. MCCLURE.
GEO. K. WHEAT.