Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-05-20

purest Of motives. But as one writing in the
interest Of the public, I must give bis article
that notice It's importance demands. The
President says
"I do not deny Justices statement, that all
corporate Bodies and Boards have their exist. |
ence by statute lazy, and their duties are de.
fined, and they have no authority 10 exceed
them. STILL Il is always believed some dis. |
cretionary power Is to exercised TO secure the
object the law contemplates."
/ grant that the law does allow dlscreiiona.
ry powers in the direction the law itself clear.
| ly points out. For instance, 1t allows School
Boards full power TO use their discretion In
the organization Of the school, dividing the
classes, grading the scholars how many teach.
ers II is necessary to have, and what their sal
aries shall be- holding them responsible for a
faithful performance Of their duties But, Mr..
President, does it allow you to use the monies
placed in the hands of Boards for any purpose
not defined in the law? If so, who is to he
| the judge where this discretionary power
shall ceascp You in the honesty Of your ma.
ture, may say it will sustain me in going so far
in any chosen direction but your SUCCESSORS
may not be 80 conscientious as Yourself and
| tHc1 ulHy Chilli luc bHHle ruling Will allow
them 10 go much farther even in the same di-
rcction. 1t is dangerous precedent for you to
establish in the management of the schools,
to step over the bounds of the law, and use
the school money for any purpose whatever,
not clearly expressed or defined. You arc es-
tabiShng rules which your SUCCESSORS may
learn TO follow in a way not dreamed Of by
yourself The first step in the direction that
leads TO defacation and crime is usually
short steps taken by the defaulter for some pc
cuiar purpose, and easily excused as one TAX
en- on account Of the peculiar circumstances
surrounding him at the time it was taken, but
which ultimately results in his entire over
throw and ruin. You say-"Boards in other
places arc doing in this matter of books, what
we are doing" You therefore, argue your
own justification in going into the book busi
ness. You might as well attempt to justify
wrong action in any direction, on the ground
that Others are doing the same thing. | am
ashamed 10 think that the Legislature Of our
State are guilty of such gross misconduct, by
wasting the public monies, as they frequently
do, by becoming parties, through neglect at
least, to frauds of the blackcst character, as
for instance, in the purchase of the white
Sulphur Springs property" for which they
paid $4,000 of The peoples money, and which
is proved, by the report of one Of their own
members, the Hon. Mr.. STEELE, was not
worth over $i5 600, and no one would think
OF paying over that sum for it, as matter of
investment. $4,000 squandered by those
whom we, the people of Ohio, have chosen 10
b. the guardians of our property and our lib
critics. This, Mr.. President, teaches US that
we cannot place our confidence in the aclion
of organized Boards. Human nature is tie
same the world over, and our servants whom
we choose TO do our business for us, and who
handle our money, must be watched over with
II careful eye, and when they step outside the
limits which we have established, we must
hold them strictly TO an account, Tor in this
lies our only safety as a free and independent
people
Now Mr.. EDITOR, l wish to thank you for
the kindness you have shown me in allowing
Inc the free use of your paper, in which to
discuss this question of taxes. If have said
; anything toward calling the attention of our
officers to the importance of dscharging the
duties of their office, that will work reform,
and be the means Of relieving our people OF
this grevous burthen Of taxation, which they
must bear a few years longer, until the STU
pcndous war debt is paid, to the last farthing,
and the people get over the lesson the war
has taught-1 have accomplished all l expect
ed to do when first took up my pen.
ask you, Mr. President, to watch over the
school monies with unceasing care. Keeping
in view the burdens of the taxpayers, whose
money you handle, and your reward shall be
an approving conscience, and an emphatic en-
dorsement of your friend and fellow citizen,
JUSTICE.