Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-05-08
a willingness to share alike in it's bur-
dens as well as it's benefits.

a Willingness 10 SHARE alike III lUS Jul
dens as well as it's benefits.
There is nothing that shows how de-
generated has become the school man
agement in some districts than the ca
gerness with which some persons have
figured out the per cent which would
be returned to them from the surplus
in their treasures, and the wood shed;
and this after the town generously
assumes the districts Indebtedness for
buildings and repairs. 1t is true that
there is not and can not be perfect
equalization in this shift from the dis
trict to the town system; and there is
seeming injustice in the matter.
But there is no great injustice done
even if it be decided that the money
and property belonging hitherto to
the district, belongs to the town
schools. The money is still distributed
in the district for the benefit of the
taxpayers and their children, the chief
difference being that the town handles
the money instead of the district.
And then it is found as general
rule that the districts having sur
plus are the richer ones who have
been getting their schooling for less
cost to themselves than the poorer dis
tricts. In short, they have supported
their schools largely from their public
funds given them by the generous spir-
is of men who are dead This is the
reason for their surplus, and there is
no great injustice in their returning the
money, thus given them, for it's orig
inal purpose.
There are districts, we are glad to
note, which, though not wealthy, have,
kept in advance Of their expenses,
which have taken just pride in SO do
ing, and which take pride innow voting
their surplus for the support of
schools, the purpose for which it was
voted or donated. This is honest. 1t
is manly. This shows a disposition
to give the new law fair trial. 1t
proves that they are not trying to run
their schools for 'revenue only"
The town is without school funds,
there is money lying idle
which was intended for school purpos-
es this year. Would it not be proof of
and loyalty to the cause of
and to the town for districts
who have not, to vote this surplus to
the town, at least let the town have it |
for present use. In the latter case, if
it shall prove that it is to be re dis
tributed for other purposes than those
for which it was raised or given, the
town is able and willing to refund the |
same. AS it is now the money re-
mains idle while the town will have to
hire money and pay interest. If 1t is
re-dist ributed, and it turns out that
the town had the right to "take charge
Off and use this surplus, then it could
be recovered only of the individual
officers of the districts who made the
for the districts cease to
exist when it has settled it's pecuniary
affairs.
Legally we have no opinions to Of
fer. There is something of more I'M
portance to us than the money ques-
ton, the maintenance and improve
ment of the schools. We wish for
good schools for the town, for your
children Therefore we would recon-
mend conservatism in all matters per-
tanning to school houses and property
used in connection Herewith. And
believing as we do, that the town will
deal Justly in all these matters, we
earnestly advise submission to the
claims and action of the town officials
in respect thereto.
j. K. FULLER, School
E. ", h MERRILL, Directors.
Barton Landing, april %, '93.