The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-05-29
Communication.

The expeditiousness with which the
school board let the contract for
budding the new school house afteg
the people showed a disposition. to re-
consider few points connected with
it is truly renal kable. Mr.. Whiteley
can explain it to the Taxpayers Of the
city better than We can.--Morris
Tribune, May 2lst, 1884.
New as have been thus publicly
and sarcastscaIiy called upon Ivy the
Tribune tofanswer to the taxpayers,
Twill endeavor to do so.
First, there was no haste; If the
Tribune had inquired, why so much
delay! t would have been more to the
point; we were required to do too
much with too little money. After
having the designs drawn, and spec
ifications made by IN architect, We
could get no bids low enough for our
money. We then ccrresponded with
the architect, and had certain altera-
tions made which brought it down to
the figure voted by the citizens for
the purpose; all these things occupe !
nearly three months, during all Ct
which time the so called people"
made no move in the matter to recon.
slider until within day or two of the
time advertised for opening the sec
ond bids.
The petition circulated calling for
a district meeting at that Late day to
re consider, was addressed to the
| clerk of the hoard, and he did his
duty in calling the meeting. The
school board had nothing to do with
it, twas not sent TO them and none of
the signers to that petition, or any
other person, appeared before the
board at any time, to ask for stay of
proceedings. The board simply went
on with their duties as instructed by
the citizens.
Second, the people showed no dis
position to reconsider any point in
regard to the new school building; the
best proof of that statement is, the
citizens meeting on Tuesday evening
last, when they sat SO heavily down
upon the opposition.
Now word about the taxpayers:
A few of the heavy taxpayers of this
town think they pay all the tax of the
district, and their particular friends
think so too This is a mistake.
First, pay more real estate tax in
the district than three such men AS
Mr.. Randall, including his real estate,
personal property and printing pres
ses.
Second, the largest taxpayer in the
district voted for the school and is
still in favor of it, viz: D. R. Suther-
land.
Third. you may take FIVE of the lar
gest taxpayers opposed to the school,
and l will produce five in favor of it
who pay more tax than they do.
But there is another phase to this
school question. 1t is the duty, and
the interest of the rich to educate the
poor. In case of war the poor m II
are more likely to take up arms in de-
Tense of the country than the rich;
necessity compels them to do it, and
necessity compels them to sell them
selves as substitutes. for rich men to
live ut home in ease and luxury. 1t
would he moderate estimate to say
that fifty Rebel bullets were stopped
by poo: men to one stopped by rich
man. These facts give poor men I'M
alienable rights that cannot be taken
from them.
The immense turn out ON Tuesday
night in defense of the school. proves
one thing conclusively, namely, we
have no element in our community
opposed to education. This speaks
volumes for the perpetulty of our
country.
hope this is the last l shall have
10 say on the school question.
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