The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-30
school Meeting.

In response to handbills, asking all persons in
favor of le-epening the public schools to meet at
the Courthouse on Wednesday evening, crowd
sufficiently large to fill the court room assembled.
The meeting was called to order by Richard
Thorne, Esq, on whose motion Hon. VIM. Red
dick was called to the chair, and VIM. Osman
appointed secretary.
Mr.. Reddick stated his understanding Of the
object of the meeting to be, to take some action
in reference to the re-opening Of the city public
schools.
Mr.. School director Courtney being present,
was called upon to make statement to the meet
ing. Mr.. o., in response, said he was no speak
er, but could answer questions. In respone to
the question why the schools had been closed, he
said it was because, in the estimation of the di
rectsrs tho revenues at present provided fer run
ming the schools were insufficient, and after the
directors had prepared bill for passage by the
legislature empowering them to raise additional
means, remonstraace had heon signed against
the passage of the bill, whereat the directors felt
aggrieved, and stopped the schools. The motion
to stop had been made by Mr.. Rice, and voted
for by Rice, Crane and Hollecker; Hr. Csurtney
aad Mr.. Gibson voting ne, and Mr.. Fulton being
excused from voting.
Mr.. Director Rice was called upon to mako
statement. He gave general history of our city
schools and their finances, and remarked upon the
amazing ignorance and indifference of thepeople
generally on the snbject. The finances were now
in such condition that only by borrowing so a.
to anticipate the entire next years revenue could
the schools be run until July. Then, unless pro-
visien was now made for more revenue, they
must inevitably be closed for year or mcrs. A.
one of the directors, in favor of keeping the
schools open permanently, he had moved to
stop the schools now, so as to force the subject
upon the attention Of the people in time to get
the needed legislation to raise additional revea.
us before the legislature adjourned. He ex-
planned and advocated the provisions of bill, q
printed copy of which had been circulated pub
lished in another column,) and believed the poll
icy it proposed was the only true one-to fund
the present debt, and raise enough revenue here
after to pay as we go.
Mr. Lynch, being called out, gave history of
what was done by the Joint committee appointed
heretofore at meeting Of citizens, the school di-
rectors and city council; said the school direct
srs had asked too much a slight addition to the
present taxation, in his opinion, was sufficient to
run the schools permanently, though for a while
| it might be necessary to adhere to the present
system of borrowing in anticipation of next year $
| revenue.
Mr. Rice expressed hisopposition to the whole
borrowing system. 1t was expensive, and not
such system as a prudeut business man would
adopt.
Remarks were made by John Hoban, J. s.
Mitchell and others.
Col. A. b. Moore said, for the purpose of bring
ing this matter to head, he moved that COM
mittee of five be appointed to act in con junction
with the School Directors, who should take this
matter into consideration, and prepare a bill for
passage by the legislature if found necessary in
order to keep the schools going-the committee
to report At an adjourned meeting
After some discussion, the motion was agreed
to, and the chair appointed Col. A. B. Moore,
Andrew Lynoh, A. B. Smith, John Hoban, and
j. S. Mitchell said committee. On motion, Mr..
Reddiok was added to the committee.
Mr.. Mitchell then moved that the school board
be requested to reopen the schools next Monday
morning, and that this meeting pledge them
selves to do all in their power to supply sufici-
ent means for the economical permanent contin-
uance of the schools. The motion was agreed
to.
The meeting then adjourned to Friday even
ing of this week.
The Great Turner Masquerade Ball takes
place at their Hall in this city next Tues.
day evening, Feb. 2d The costumes expected