Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-02-21

II tHc DHIIUNIH'
sUB.DlsTRuCT ELECTIONS.

On the first Saturday in March next We
hold our annual sub-district elections. The
success Of our schools must depend
largely upon the result Of this election.
We shall have schools, of course, in spite
ofncgiigcnt electors, or laundering, dishon'
est sub,drectors, for the law makes it obli-
gatory upon boards Of directors u keep ur
schools Of some kind and we shall pay tax
es to support these schools, as q matter ol
course. In fact, the taxpayers of this coun
ty would be disappointed should their school
tax, for the coming year, be anything less
than all their other taxes-so strong is the
force of habit. But the question of moment
just now is, not whether we shall pay taxes
and maintain schools, but whether the schools
that we must maintain shall benefit our chill
dren this question we must decide at the
sub-dstric, election. True, the teacher is
the vital organ OF the school, but the choice
OF teachers is the work Of the director, aud
the success OF our schools depend more upon
the action Of our boards OF directors than
upon any and all other agencies.
Experience proves in fact, no sane man
ever doubted that board of directors
composed Of intelligent, liberal-minded men,
having ample authority to provide means,
select teachers and supervise schools, can
secure, for our children, all the advantages
Of first class Eastern schools.
Nne-tenths Of our boys and girls receive
no other educational advantages than those
furnished by the common schools. Now
why not elevate these schools, the Peoples
College" 10 the highest degree ofexcelence
Every man has direct, personal interest in
this matter, and yet, this Office Of sub-direc>
tor goes begging for an occupant each sues
ceeding spring. Why is this? 1t capnot
be because the Office does not pay; We, the
patriotic, liberal. progressive men Of Iowa
dare not admit, even to ourselves, that any
parsimonious considerations prevent its be-
i.ig filled by competent men. The more
probable cause, though rejecting scarcely
less upon our intelligence, is our negligence.
We as voters do not attend to this matter.
We forget tina. every social privilege carries
with it its corresponding obligation, and be-
cause the statute law gives US the privilege,
the mo,sl law makes il our sacred duty to
attend these elections, and use not only our
vote but our Influence to secure the service
Of the very bes, man in our district.
Now, my dear read re, are yon voter in
Buchanan County? If so, please take these
hints home to YOURSELF they are not Intended
for your neishbor, but for yea.
Whathas been the history Of these elec>
t.oas in yoar own sub-distr;ct? Have you
aud tie .aenty Or thirty other electors been
in the habit of attending ibeso meetings and
giving fall, fair expression OF the inteli-
gent choce of the district? or have you,
with the majority, staii at home and allowed
three or four interested parties to do The
business for you, and then manifested yoar
interest in the cause Of education by growl-
ing over the blunders Of your school board,
the incompeency Of your teachers and your
outrageous school tax?
Is it strange that Mr.. A. who wants the
neT school house located at his end of the
district, Mr. 3. who would like the building
contract, Mr.. c. who has rotten wood 10 sell,
and Mr.. ID. who has a son, daughter, a
niece, or a sister.insaw who has cxperen>
cod some little difficulty in finding employ>
ment as teacher, but who might be pre-,
vailed upon to take your' school," it would
be So convenient to board at home you
KNOWS it strange that these men should
attend the election? or is It so very strange
that when assembled they should keep stead
| ily ii, view their own interests rather than
yours?
Now my dear sir, if this way Of doing bust
ness is not perfectly satisfactory to you, APP
ply the remedy-go to this next election
rote and ,corh. Ii your old director is com'
petent aud .taitdlai, by all means re>elec
him but first apply the test Of his record
| Has bis vote been given for liberal and wise
measures? Has he employed competent
teachers? Has he cordially sustained and
encouraged those teachers? ? Has he visited
your school? In short, has he conscien
tiously guarded the interests Of the children
Of your district? Or has he hired some
member Of his own family to teach you
children and be paid with your money? Has
hc--but this last is enough-if lie has done
but this you may consider It confirmation
strong as holy writ that he is not the man
| for Tie pldee,-turn hin out p.
Srrine STYLES of all Kinds of Merrimac