The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-03

Some months since there was a meeting
Of the citizens of this school district, at which
time it was voted to build a school house at
a cost of ten thousand dollars subsequently
to this there was another meeting held, at
which, at the request of the directors, two
gentlemen, Messrs. Ranck and Steward, were
appointed to act with them. This board,
or committee. consisting of the directors, or
a majority of them, and the gentlemen above
visited Portland, examined some of the old
school houses of that city, and the new and
better planned ones now in course of con-
struction, and counseled earnestly and at
great length with Prof. Crawford and other
leading school-men of the city, and with
builders and architects, and found that it
was quite impossible to build school house
of such size, plan, and such modern conve-
niences as the interests Of the cause Of
common school education, in our city, de-
mand.
We proceeded further to employ fully
competent architect, at the most favorable
rates, to furnish plan and specifications of
a school house, which, when completed, will
be an honor to the town, will encourage and
strengthen our best and dearest interests as
people, and enhance values in and about
the place, as nearly as can estimate, 20 per
cent. Is there anything wrong 10 all this =?
think not. Allow me to say, Mr.. Editor
to the Protestant community here, that
have no fear of our Catholic friends and
neighbors. / have aided them and I know
they are not going to return to you and me
evil for good. So far they have shown no
disposition to interfere with our wishes in
this matter, and they will not if our wishes
are right, and their accomplishment sought
in a right and reasonable way.
Now what has been, and what must be
done, to accomplish this great benefit, greater
than the new court house, grander than any
that has yet been conferred upon our beau
tiful, but needy little city? Well, in the
first place, we have the old property. worth
$1,000 which the directors are authorized to
sell, we have voted tax of $4,000; in sddi-
ton to this, a subscription has been made,
by citizens. in the way of loan, at 10 per
cent, of $1,000. This aggregates Sll.500.
1t will take $4,000 to pay for the ground
and put the house in condition foruse. This,
it will be seen, leaves deficiency of $500
which cannot be made up at present in any
manner that know of, except by additional
loans to the district in the manner above
stated.
This, it is believedLis reasonably good
investment. and it is greatly to be hoped
that all who have the interest of the city at
heart will generously respond to the nsces-
sites of the hour.
But how. it is very properly asked, is this
liability to be paid, and if paid, how can it
be done without creating an oppressive tax
: Let ne answcr we have no disposition to
have heavy tax created for ourselves or
ne,ghbors, aud there il no need OF it. if We
only exercise common sense and goodness OF
heart enough to agree upon the simplest
proposition.
The proposition is this: That we petition
the next legislature to authorize the school
district to issue its bonds for the necessary
amount, running say 10 or Is years. Let
these bonds be sold in the market Is other
bonds, for the money with which to repay
these loans and thus require or give oppor-
tunity for those who shall come after us, to
aid, by small or moderate tax, to pay those
bonds instead Of imposing heavy tax from
year to year. at the present.
This will be business; this will be right,
and the Legislature will do il il we AK il.
and in this manner We can gradually pay
this debt, and nobody will be the worse oil,
but everybody the better.
s. w. BROWN.
Vancouver. August LIST. 1859.