Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-05-03
gditOrialY Notes from the State Capitol,
COMMON SCHOOLS.

EdifOrialN Notes from the State Capitol
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The bill 10 provide for the main
tenance and regulation Of the common
schools Of the State was discussed in
the House for the greater part Of two
DAYS, the principal point Of issue be
ing made to assume a political shape.
The bill provides that the common
schools OF the State shall be free to all
the children OF the State Of proper
school age. The Democratic BOur-
bons who new cast their hates and
preiudIces behind them, could not
brook the idea Of having the doom of
u common schools open TO colored
children, snd q warm debate sprung
up over amendments offered to insert
the word "tUhite," and to require col
ored children to attend only schools
provided especially for them. The
Republicans not having a majority in
the HOuse-as they have not had
since the passage Of the XVIII Amend
ment-were unable to control the
question. Of course the Democrats
were ne better of, and as they could
not get in their word "white" they
voted in a body sgsinst the bill, the
Republicans all voting for it, with one
exeeptiOn-Mr. GETS, of Clinton
county. The Democrats, through
their papers, are seeking to misrepre-
sent the character Of the bill. The
Columbus reporter for the Cincinnati
ERqareT-vho is q fossilised antedi-
luvian-writing to that paper under
date Of Wednesday, ssys:-"Ritezel,
''Of Trumbull, was yesterday the
''fercest debater in the House to COM
''pel the mixture Of white and black
children in the schools of the State
ThisveraciOus Enquirer reporter prob
ably never read the bill, or if he has,
is not honest enough to truthfully
represent it. Itdid not seek to "cOm-
pei the mixture of white and black
children in the schools" but left the
matter entirely in the hands Of local
boards Of education, to make such an
assignment Of the children as in their
judgment would best subserve the
cause Of education. In the same
paper is an editorial article on the
subject, that presents the matter in a
more correct light. 1t says:
SNo distinction on account of COLOR
received q black eye in the Ohio House
Of Representatives yesterday. The Re
publican School Committee, OF which
Mr.. Sayler, Republican, is Chairman,
reported 9 cOdiied school bill for the
State Common Schools, in which was E
provision FIR mixedschools of white and
black-that is, a provision enabling col
ored children to attend the same school
with white children, on the order Of the
local School Board. The bill, on account
Of this provision, was opposed by the
Democratic members, and fsiled 70 pass
for want Of q constitutional majority
which is s majority of all the members
elected, not simply those present and
voting"
There is no possible chance thi:
session for the school bill. Demo
cratic prejudice to the cololed race.
gave it a death blow. We do not sp-
prehend the cause Of common school
education win be seriously embar.
rassed by the defeat Of the bill
although its passage would hsv'
plaeed all our school laws in q cOdihet
and convenient form, with s numbel
Of important amendments suggested
by experienced educators and sehOo
officers throughout the State.
REGISTRY OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS
The law on this subject has beer
amended. Township and city assess
os falling to make diligent inquiry
concerning the number Of births and
deaths in their districts, are not en-
titled to draw their pay until they
have complied with the law to the
satisfaction Of the probate Judge
Physicians and eleFgymen ~negleeting
or refusing to perform the duties re-
quired Of them in keeping a registry
Of births and deaths, and reporting
the same, shall forfeit and pay for
each offense the sum Of ten dollars,
one-half to go to the school fund, and
the other half to the complainant.
The purpose is to render the registry
law more efficient In its operations
than il has hitherto been.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
The amended law on the subject of
common school text books, prohibits
the changing of such books for two
years after the adoption Of the same
by any school board, and at the end
Of that period only upon a vote of
three-fourths Of all the members Of
the board, after having given three
months public notice Of the intended
change. Provided if the price Of any
book so adopted shall be increased
after It's adoption, a majority vote
may cnange II
TO PREVENT cRJELTY 10 ANIMALS.
One Of the good and humane laws
passed by this General Assembly is
that to prevent and punish cruelty to
domestic animals. Cruelty by the
statute is defined to be overdriving,
Overburdening, torturing, starving,
cruelty beating, conveying in any
vehicle in a cruel manner, &c. The
penalty is the costs of prosecution and
a fine Of not less than 5 nor more
than $50.
NEGOTIABLE PAPER.
The SD Section of the code of civil