Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-08-23
THE SCHOOL FUND.
why Not Ask for Help for All the Flooded
School Districts?

School Districts?
JoHNsTowN, August 10th.
To the Editor Qrthe Jolilstoson Democrat:
In glanclng over the columns of to-days
Dispatch find an appeal has been sent
forth from the Johnstown School Board
to the outer world for assistance in the
building and repairing of their schools,
for paying off their Indebtedness, inter-
est, etc.
This appears to me selfish movement,
and would here say that the great Direc-
tors Of Johnstown and their Borough Su-
perintendent are acting in very Tailor
Tooley street manner in thus represent
ing that they only have suffered in the late
ever-memorable calamity
What of South Fork, East Conemaugh,
Franklin, Woodvale, Conemaugh Bor-
ough, Millville, Cambria City and Coop
ersdale ? Why, nothing about them in
the estimation of the Johnstown Board of
Directors {?
They are poorer class than we, say
they, and the outside world knows
naught of any of those districts but Johns
town alone; and we will reap the benefit
of all in the future, as in the past, at their
expense. Let every other School District
stand aside while we receive what the
bounteous generosity of the outer world
may prompt them to contribute"
/, as a School Director of one of the
adjacent districts, do enter my protest
against their mode of procedure, and, as a
remedy for the defect, l would suggest,
first, that Convention of the School Di-
rectors of the flooded districts be called
jointly by County Superintendent Leech
and Borough Superintendent johnson.
Second, that an appeal be sent forth by
this Convention endorsed by the State,
County and Borough Superintendent, land
the Presidents of the respective Boards
Third, that tie amount received be distrib-
uted pro rata, according to the number
of schools supposed to be opened the en-
suing term.
| almost forgot an important feature in
my suggestions. l mean in regard to
Lower Ioder township, or Morrellville,
as it is more Familiarity known. In this
district the School Directors with an OBJ
serving eye, and alive to a keen knowl-
edge of far-seeing duties had provided
ample accommodations for all the chill
dren of their district with an allowance for
the rapidly increasing population for
which it has come proverbial, not only
that but for thoughtful construction of
their dwellings in being able to furnish
ample room for all of the refugees from
every one of the flooded districts, from
South Fork to Coopersdale. l say this
district should also be consulted, and if
any pecuniary assistance is obtained from
the public, itshould receive its quota.
Now again l most emphatically pro-
test this action of the Johnstown School
Board in monopolizing now as they have
already done the sympathy of the gener-
Gus public.
! say w bIO IlICttOlS VI UOnublOWu
Give the poor working class of people of
the adjacent boroughs and districts of
Johnstown chance also to educate their
children.
This action of the Johnstown School
Board in conjunction with other acts
committed partially, by committees high
in selfesteem of late, would tend to sever
any kind feeling heretofore existing to-
ward consolidation of the surrounding
boroughs which is so much desired by
those selfish grabbers.
Having unwittlngly heightened too long
on the subject, you will pardon my first
attempt; but feeling the Importance of the
occasion demanded a full explanation, 1
would most respectfully conclude with an
earnest and urgent appeal to the public
that the money intended for educational
relief be sent for the education of the chill
dren of the Conemaugh Valley sufferers in
general and not Johnstown in particular.
am yours,
A School DIRECTOR.