The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-04-19
LETTER FROM DRAxToN.
BR4xroS CouSrY, WEST Va,
April 10Th, 1863.

Mn, EpITeR Permit me to occupy
the attention Of your readers, for short
time, with the consideration of subject,
that should claim the serious attention of
the citizens Of West Virginia,
There appears to be disposition on
the part of those who control the school
fund of this State, to appropriate as much
of it as possible, either to their own use,
or to manage it in such manner as to
throw it iuto the hands of their particular
friends, This is not onlya departure from
their duty hut really criminal, for the
spirit of the law presumes that good faith
ind integrity should be the leading and
governing characteristics of those who
are in office, and that the funds should be
fairly distributed among those entitled to
receive them. In the selection of teachers,
competency. faithfulness and merit, should
always be regarded as Of the first import
ance. yet we frequently see these highly
necessary qualities entirely disregardcd,
and particular ia voritcs thrust upon school
districts by trustees who arc not only in
competent but destitute even Of charac-
ter, and frequently dis.ipatcd in their
habits.
Again, it has become very fashionable
in these degenerate times for township
trcasurcrs to be robbed Of fortune, and
sometimes the whole Of the school funds
collected by them. Such case recently
came of in Clay township, in this county.
a certain foreigner, recently imported
from an adjoining county, with a very
bad counteuance and remarkably iliteratc,
yet pretending to great sanci'y, settled in
this comfy. lie was soon elected town.
ship treasurer through the influence Of
certain notorious character, his present
security. While said treasurer was en-
gagged in collecting the school taxes, he
was very particular not to keep one cent
at his own housc but left it from time to
time in tue care of different neighbours
This he continued to do until he had COL
lcctcd nearly the entire amount due from
the township. Ilc had a check (tlle State
fund of about four hundred dollars upon
the bank in Weston. lie then went to
your city, casl,cd it and returned to his
home with the mouey. Hc had now
fourteen hundred dollars at his command.
He collected i. all together, placed it in /:
carpet-sack and hung it upon his cabin
wall. lie then told his wife he was going
from home and would be absent two or
three days. lie started, and that night
carpot-sack, money, and all the papels
pertaining to his Office were stolen.
lie still continues TO attend class meet
ing, and rolls up his eyes like calf dying
in thunder storm, but
I" That's tlic way The money goes,
Pop goes the weasel
Well, potion was then gotten up to
release him and his securities aud sent 10
the last Legislature, and although counter
petitions were sent in by the most honor-
able and high.mindcd gentlemen of this
county. yet tho Legislature in the magni-
tudc Of its wisdom, released the whole Of
them. Shame! same upon a Legislature
that would pass an act, not only impairins
contracts, but by its action in this CASE
establish precedent encouraging others
to $50 and do likewise"
Now Mr.. editor, here is a case Of Gu.
pidi,y, stupidity, and menncss, which i.
only isolated instance Of the manner in
which the school funds ARE purloined by
men who are as dishonest as Satan would
have them 10 be. Men wloare influenced
in their official capacity solely from de-
sire to reap the emoumcnts Of a pilf.red
state government. They are all over tic
State, and yet the Legislature Of This
State absolutely encourages them in ,bcir
dishonesty by passing laws protecting
them in their villainy, aud innocent
children are suffered to grow up in igno-
rance b,causs Of bal officers.
spent nearly four years in tho Federal
army, contending for the Union and Con
sti,ution Of my forcfathcrs, but unless
there is soon radical change in the lnnn-
agement Of State and National affairs, we
shall at no distant period read the history
of our folly n the downfall Of our gov
eminent. Honesty and integrity are no
longer regarded us qualifications for Office.
:. But every county in this State, or the
most of them at least, are ruled rather
lnisruled by combination Of dishonest
men. who work to each others advantage
in the distribution Of not only the spoils
but so manage ns;to keep each other in
Office and out Of the peneten,iary.
BnAxroS.