Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-20
Reply to "Ono of the People"


To the Editor Of the Reoister:
DEAR SIR:-In your last Sundays
edition one signing himself Zone of the
People," who, if he is not a member OF
the Board of Education, seems to be
the only one who has publicly set him
self up as against the interests OF the
large class be claims to hail from, takes
the writer Of this to task for his defense
OF the tax payers, or at least seventy
five per cent of them, in opposition TO
this High School monstrosity. Accord
ing to his view of the matter the pro-
ject sis not dead but sleepeth;" appa-
rently suggesting the idea that the
thing, with all its entailed expense, is
finally to be thrust upon the shoulders
OF the people at time when they had
been led to think and hope the matter
was at rest, for q generator or two at
least.
In answer to his first question, do
not know, neither do care, whether or
not there is high school in the State;
do know there is none Ia the independ-
ent school district of Wheeling, and
also think 1t will De some time before
we have one, Notwithstanding the great
advantage our friend claims it will be
10 our hard working people to raise the
money to teach the children OF their
rich neighbors the higher branches OF
learning, making smooth the paths they
are TO tread, whilst their own must toll
in the mill and factory, unable to avail
themselves of the benefits they would
be compelled to provide for others. 1t
is also no affair of ours IL in larger or
smaller towns than Wheeling the peo-
pie have suffered themselves TO be hum
bugged into this sort Of thing; il is
enough for US to know that we are Dot
in the same boat, and do not intend to
be very soon.
AS to the claim Of zone Of the Peo-
pie" that our schools are inadequate to
the requirement Of fitting its graduates
for conducting the business affairs Of
life, l will answer that they are emf
nsntly suited TO that end, teaching all
the branches OF learning necessary out
SIDE Of the dead languages, or some OBJ
truse and effete branches yet taught in
colleges and academies, and which are
OF no practical benefit to ninety-nine
to fight their way through life.
We have a business college in our
midst, where all who desire and are
willing to pay for it, can tit their boys
to occupy positions in counting-rooms
and banking houses, at which places,
unfortunately, few, If any, after all this
learning, will have the merest ghost OF
a chance to arrive, for generally such
positions are filed by a favored few,
who in some cases fill them, even lack
ing the necessary ability, only TO be &C
quired at this dude factory, yclept
high school.
Mr.. "One Of the People" is very sure
that if this matter was brought before
the voters they would ratify the project
at the polls, while the writer OF this is
more solidly sure that the reverse would
be the fact, And there you are. Pay
your money or not in taxes and take
your choice.
Further, my friend says practically,
what is the use of electing q Board OF
Education unless we permit them TO do
as they please?" and also, what right
have we to dictator" l can answer that
only by exclsiminE, 30, ye gods, what
an ideal ruler would he make for some
barbarous kingdom of darkest Africa"
Lastly, our city Councils are restricted
by statute in their expenditures. They
could not cut out and make up job
such as this without first gaining the
consent of the people; and if l am not
mistaken there are some restrictions in
the general laws governing our Board
Of Education. but which they do not
seem overly anxious to enquire into. a
As TO stone bridges, we are not build
ing any now, and II we were, the peo-
pie would have TO say Eyes" before 1t
could be done. THE PEOPLE.