The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-18

ucillS utoN6Il ClNIIlZdUloll, UlldU OF CO.
operation and fellowship among men
and mutual dependence upon each
other in the discharge of individual
duty to the public. Modern civiliza-
ton contains large element of help,
and no one individual, however great
and rich, could, if he would, be indie
pendent of this help. His lasting hap
piness depends upon the public veal.
Civilized man can not separate linl-
self from this condition Of his life
without suffering the most grievous re
suits. Ten thousand hands must build
the structure wherein are enshrinel
his dearest hopes. Whether those
hands shall build it well, or i'll, depends
upon the knowledge and virtue thai
shall guide them in the work. But
what are the outward manifestations
what is this work! Specifically speak
ing, mention may be made of all the
various institutions by which the ma
teral interests of the people are pro
tected and promoted; and also those in
situations under which the minds and
morals Of the people are cultivated.
The first is the conservation of animal
force, the second is the quickening of
the mind and the soul. Co-equal in
Importance it behooves mankind to look
well to both. The public spirited citi-
zen Will not fail in his duty to the
public and particularly will the cause
OF education claim his earnest attention.
If he stops TO think a moment he must
know that his own happiness largely
depends upon the good order and hap
pinesS OF his neighbors. How can Il
man enjoy his wealth seltishly if all
around him want and famine are de-
stroying the people! How could he
live i'll the peaceable enjoyment Of his
property if the people around him babe
| defiance to law and order and tIampled
his rights i'll the dust! So much for
the general principle which is as old as
the hills, and which, but for the fact
that man is prone to forget good coun-
sells, need never be stated in words, but
only III the sublimer language of action.
What can be closer allied to the
best interests Of the school district
above referred to than the education of
the children! Will the farmer who has
no children of his own to send to
school consult his individual good if he
fail in his duty to the children in the
community! How does a know when
his baln i, burned by BIS son that not
only 3, but \ also has neglected his
duty in regard to the proper education
of the Young man. Little events some
times turn the tide Of life. And
who can tell in the growing period of
youth what little encouragement
might have done for the hardened
crim.naL The few dollars withheld
by 4 might have been the means Of
completing an amount sufficient to hire
a better school teacher than the district
would otherwise have had, and by this
means the true ambition OF BIS son 50
quickened that he would have adopted
very different course in his suisse
quent career, and AS barn would never
have been burned. What a saving to
society, and what a saving to \, and
how much more peacefully would BIS
gray hairs 20 down to the grave than
though his son were in a felon's cell.
The farmer scatters his wheat and oats
upon the earth in full faith that the
harvest will repay hin. The seed is a
tiny thing, and yet his faith is firm
So in these school matters. A few
days or a few weeks at school, may,
like the seed wheat, seem small mat
ter, but who can tell what the lesson
even OF a day may bring forth. But
the reader may ask what has this to
do with the special taxi This much
that the general principle of a special
tex Is the same as any other tax. The
taxpayer who willingly pays his regu-
lar annual school tax cannot consist
emily object 70 a special tax and allege
g, a reason that it is unjust to compel
him to help educate other peoples
children.
Bat who shall vote a special taxi
The law above quoted prescribes the
qualifications Of the voter Resident
aX-payers and these only should be
allowed to exercise the right The IL
norant and poveity-stricken rabble con
aisting in this country mostly Of single
men, should be restricted from voting.