Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-04-11
A Strange Procedure.

81. Johnsbury and Charleston afford Illus
trations Of what towns like individuals will
descend to do when interested motives and
headstrong impulse instead of calm reason
and integrity Of purpose assume the sway.
The former town Of fair repute has recourse
TO doubtful expedient to nullify the list
ing law, and the latter openly and perversely
In the face Of clear and concurring legal
opinion asserts its purpose to nullify law
Of the state relating TO school systems. At
the annual town meeting, having conformed
to every requirement of the law respecting
notice and other preliminary proceedings,
Charleston adopted the town system OF
schools. A town having thus abolished the
district system, the statute says that town
may return to that system by vote Of the
majority Of the legal voters present at any
fifth annual town meeting thereafter. Dis
regarding the law and the advice of able
legal counsel, the malcontents at special
meeting called for that purpose got together
recently and rescinded the vote taken at the
annual meeting. A good many voters,
friends of the town system, IL is alleged,
did not attend this meeting, believing 1t ii.
legal. The questions and the Inconsistency
Of the opponents of the new school system
presented by this action of the town are
we'll set forth by the Express and Standard.
"What school system really exists in Charles
| ton? II the town system was legally adopted
there II no district organization. IL the vote to
rescipd has no force, which seems to be the well.
| established opinion, there certainly are no legal
school Districts can be no legal school officers nc
| school tax can be legally assessed, and no valid
contracts made between committees and teach
ers; and nothing can be done In this way legally
for FIVE years. The town may suffer things TO &c
| along as Of old, under the old district system
but there can be nothing safe or secure under II
| Any taxpayer can any time refuse TO pay his
school tax and where is the remedy II the towr
system was adopted legally. the fact that the d.
rectors chosen have seen fit to resign does moi
change the matter in the least. Vacancies have
occurred and power is given the selectmen to al
such vacancies Is 1t not their duty to fill vacan
cies-can they do otherwise One other ques
ton though a little foreign to this subject Or
what legal or common-sense ground could any
one work to rescind the vote on school matters II
Charleston, and then plainly admit that they dit
not think they could legally rescind the vote
taken at the annual meeting raising the highwa,
tax In money, and appointing commissioners, In
stead OF highway surveyors, to expend 1t 2 TIT
cases were just the same; one was as radical |
change as the other new officers appointed unde
each vote and money raised. II one was legal
why not the otherp II one could not be rescnded
how could the other? In short, was not opposi
tion to the new school system originated AM
carried forward without a thorough knowledg
Of the proposed change, or any special though
for the improvement Of the school system"
Towns, no more than individuals, cal
abandon the straight course of clearly de
fined line of action for the tortuous path o
expedient and indirection without becom
ing involved in labyrinth of obstacles an,
contradictions. Like honesty in individ
uals, willing and gracious submission +
the plain precepts Of the law on the part o
towns and corporations, public or private
is by far the best policy.