The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-08-12

II tuo y0eI A0sVs VosA0veO my eaiaIy '" o0
1900. It is also TO be noted that Ave of the
seven nsmbers Of the Board refused to reduce
il from q, 500 TO $500. .A+
Nov, since Director Courtney. as late as June
IL, 1870. believed my salary to b 1900 dollars,
what evidence has como to his knowledge since
that date on which to base the allegation in
his report, that have drawn money tn which
was not fairly entitled2 think can answer
this question. When ceased to be superin-
teudent, but was still voted q salary of 1900
dollars, as is shown by the papers before intro
duced, the clerk, in recording my reelection.
omitted to state the salary. This omission Is
easily accounted for. 1t had not been custo-
mary, in recording the reelection of teachers, to
state salary unless the salary was changed. The
new clerk, Just entering on his duties and know
ing nothing Of my having received 81 $50 as
Principal of the High School. and $3.50 as SUI
perintendent, but learning from the books that
had received 1900 dollars, simply recorded my
reelection without specifying salary, knowing /
was to receive the same amount as before.
Courtney has discovered this omission of the
clerk-an omission, by the way, of which was
utterly ignorant till within few dsys-and
thinking, doubtless, an excellent opportunity
was presented for doing kindness to ue, who
have long been the recipient of his most devoted
attentions, has proceeded to show that my sal
ary in 1869 became $3.50 again, what it was
before was elected superintendent, and has
presented this false conclusion, from record
erroneous through ne fault OF mine, rs a fact in
an oHicisl report
word now with Director Courtney. This
charge, that have drawn money to which l
was not entitled, is either true or false, Director
Courtney. If true, what are our respective pc
sitions in the matter? l knew not that was
drawing money to which I was not fairly en-.
titled The officers of the Board assured me my
salary was $1,000. and the clerk drew nv or
it with you, my dear, spotless, ssiatly friend |?
You we're = member OF the Beard; you were
present a. its sessions, aud knew what was done
there; you were sworn we'll and faithfully to
perform the duties Of your high office; you
were Chairman Of the Finance Committee both
years, and were, therefore, specially intrusted
with the finances of the Board; you kept a
little book, in which were recorded the amounts
of the orders drawn, and in whose favor drawn,
&C.; you knew what amounts l was drawing
from the beginning of the first year to the close
of the seccnd-yet you never intimated to me
that was drawing more money than l was
Justly entitled to and I search in vain the
records of the Board of Education, during those
two yeare, to find where you uttered even the
midsst protes. against 80 gross an irree ularity
and wrong. You were certainly, my dear fell
low, unpsrdonably derelict in the performance
of your sworn duty, and should not have the
face to ask the good people Of the 4th ward to
elect you again.
If the charge be false, then how DO you stand
II false from Ignorance or thougntlessness, when
you had all the evidences OF its falsity before
you, your action is, TO say the least, wholly in
excusable. IT false by design. you have told a
very large sized fb If the charge be true, you
concede yourself a knave; if it be maiciously
fool. You may take whichever horn of the
dilemma seems best suited to your case and
your conscience.
You are quite fsnd, sometimes, Of distinguish.
ing between Director Courtney and citizen
Courtney. lam inclined to make this distinc-
ton also. If citizen Courtney had assai!ed me
as Director Courtney has, would probably pass
it over in silence. know too we'll what weight
is generally attached to citizen Courtaeys testi-
mony, to take serious alarm at any of his ma
licious representations. But when Director
Courtney comes out in bis official capacity, as
member of the Board of Education and Chair
man Of the Finance Committee, and assa,ls my
integrity, respect for the Office he holds, what.
ever contempt I may entertain for the incum.
bent of that Office, seems to call for an answer.
am not disposed to find fault with the course
of Director Hit, in signing such report Hit
is not = free moral agent any longer Satan,
who always "fnds some mischief still for idle
hands to do caught Hit last spring. just be-
fore election, and has kept him busy ever since.
lie put collar round his neck and placed the
string in the hands Of Courtney. If the Colonel
ever succeeds in slipping the collar, freeing
himself from his abject servility and becoming
himself again. he will be sincerely ashamed Of
such conduct, and will make speedy amends.
Meanwhile. would not harm a hair of his
poor old weak head, or cause q twinge Of pain
where his heart ought to be.
THos. H. CLARK.
School Director Markle ON the Defensive.
At the meeting Of the Board of Education on