Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-27
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Additional Points in Relation to the
School District Surplus.

Additional Points. in Relation to tho
School District Surplus.
To the Editor OF the Free Press:
As several prominent men throughout the
State have voluntarily written me, saying
they are well pleased with my article of
the 18th inst, in which they say that the
point | make that the public money must be
used for the support of schools cannot DO
gotten over, | will again ask for space in
your columns to call upon the committee Of
education to explain" section 2lS of chap
ter 2 OF the laws of 1888 which reads the
income from the United States d.
post money received by each town
shall be annually appropriated to the
support of schools In the town; also to sec
ton go OF the sams chapter which is as
follows: OF a town faill to comply with the
provisions of thu chapter relative to the
management or disposition OF the United
states deposit monies received by such town
it shall forfeit a sum double the amount of
the interest of such monies. Here is plain
law and penalty for its non .fulfillment.
Now, Mr.. Editor, presume all will adj
NIT who have ever had any thing to do with
the disposition of tho public school monies,
except possibly the educational committee,
that in . towns out OF 10 throughout the
State the public school money is composed
partly OF the United States deposit interest
which the law says shall be appropriated
for the support or schools, also partly from
money received from school or lease lands
and the Huntington fund, which was be-
queathed to the State expressly for tho sup
port of schools. But this ''mauIf7sto' of
the committee says that the boards of select
men must on the last of March, distribute
this United States deposit interest and the
HuntiDgt ton fund.- etc, to the several school
districts and that these districts 'can dls-
pose of it rs they shall SEQ fit or appropriate
it to their own private individual use If they
so vote, notwithstanding the fact that the
law as givsn in sections above referred to
expressly stipulate that these moneys shall
DO usad for the support OF schools.
Pray 'expain' to me, AIR. Committee
what right have the taxpayers in any school
district to any part of this United States
deposit money or this Huntington fund, for
this is a portion OF the public money
you would have the sslectmen dis
tribute and the districts do with
''as they see fit ?" Is 1t possible that the
committee are so wise that they take the
position that these laws referred to are in :
consistent with the new law and are thers-
lore repealed Now, l have great respect
for the committee; some Of the reverend mem
bers OF which am personally acquain ted, yot
| ain not prepared to admit that their inter
pretaton OF the school laws is hey ond ques-
ton, for | cannot but agree with one OF my
correspondents who says that the now law
is not free from ambiguity and many in
conslstences.'
There is remaining IN the town treasury
1r4+ -
after paying the Indebtedness of the sew
eral school districts of the town, for school
purposes, consequently In ths meantime the
district surplus is DOT fast disappearing III
Charlotte, but | have no doubt that the
solectmen will distribute this money when
the proper and competent authority decide
these questions OF law in regard to its dis
position, but l very much doubt il this man
1festo or interpretation OF the committee
will be considered conclusive by them.
j Slice.