Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-04-18


Primary Grade--he Great Mass
of the People Would Derive No
Benef1t-Linsly Institute Would
Receive a Death Blow.
There is every indication that the
recent action of the Board of Educa-
ton, in deciding to establish high
school in this city, as portion OF the
free school system of this city, will be
brought up with a round turn, through
an appeal to the Courts for an injunc-
ton
There is a very marked and decided
public opinion against the high school
project, at least in its present shape
and the claim is made, with every lndl-
cation of truth, that the proceedings so
far taken and action had by the Board
is in defiance of the Constitution Of the
State, and of no force or effect.
A reporter for the Register yesterday
met several gentlemen who are opposed
to the high school project, for a variety
Of reasons, and one of them, volclng
some of the objections of others as well
as himself, said
Il wish the Register would call the
attention of the citizens and taxpayers
Of the Independent school district OF
Wheeling to few facts, to the end that
they NAV form a proper idea of the ut
ter disregard of law and the proprle-
ties. on the part of the gentlemen of the
Board of Education, in this high school
matter. The action Of the Board is an
outrage, and was taken in defiance OF
| the very Constitution which they, as
members, swore to support and uphold
when they took their official oath. This
| is a serious matter. from several points
of view. but we will start with the Vio-
! lation Of law to which majority OF the
| Board have committed themselves.
In the first place, and as a prelimin-
ary remark, I desire 10 call public at
| tention to the growing tendency in this
community-On the part OF the CITY
Council. of the Board OF Commissioners
| and of the Board Of Education-to ere
ate debts without the consent or the
people. There is need Of an awaken
| ing among the people in this regard.
| Not only are taxes collected and spent,
/ but these several bodies of law makers
| do not hesitate, to accomplish any pro-
iect or whim. to plung the people into
/ debt. without so much as asking by
vour leave The practice has become 50
common as to no longer excite remark
and unless these gentlemen are brought
M standing some Of these days the peo-
ple Of Wheeling and Ohio county VIII
| find Old Nick to pay, and no pllch on
! hand. Every time debt or TINS sort
/ is incurred. somebody violates an OH
cial oath. and l want to see TINS truth
hammered into the public understand
/ ing. 800, his,
ness. Let me quote the constitution Oh
/ the State of West Virginia.
! -. Sec. 10. Art. s. No county, city scnool
| district. or municipal corporation except
/ in cases where such corporations have
! already authorized their bonds to be is
sred shall hereafter be allowed to become
Indebted. in any manner. or for any pur-
mise 10 an amount. including existing IN
| debtedness. in the aggregate. exceeding
five per centum on the value Of the tax
: able property therein. to be ascertained by
! the last assessment Of State and county
taxes. previous TO the mourning Of such
/ Indebtedness: nor without at the same
! time. providing for the collection OF 4
! direct annual tax. sufficient to pay. an
nuallv. the interest on such debt, and the
nrincipal thereof within and not exceed
ing thirty-four years. Provided, That NO
/ DEBT shall be contracted under this Sec
ton. unless ALL QUESTIONS CON
! NECTED WITH THE SAME SHALL
HAVE BEEN FIRST SUBMITTED TO
A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. and shall
have received three-ffths of all the votes
cast for and against the same.
d" Sec >. Art 10. The Legislature
shall also provide for raising, in each
county or district. BY THE AUTHOR
ITY OF TIE PEOPLE thereof, such a
proportion of the amount required for the
support of free schools therein as shall
be prescribed by general laws
Sec 7. Art y. All levies that may be
laid by any county or district for the pur-
pose Of free schools shall be REPORTED
TO THE CLERK OF THE COUNTY
! COURT and shall. under such regula-
| tions as may be prescribed by law. be
| collected by the Sheriff. or other collector.
who shall make annual settlement WITH
THE COUNTY COURT: which settle
ments shall be made a matter of record
by the clerk thereof, In a book to be kept
for that purpose
THAT is from the Constitution of the
State. and applies to the independent
school district of Wheeling. as much as
to any county or any other district
within the State, yet here these pro-
visions of the fundamental law have not
only been ignored in the past, but the
BOARD of Education, without learning
the will of the people upon a public
question Of the utmost gravity, have de-
termined to again incur debt in viola
ton of law, by purchasing the Maxwell
property for $4,000, whereof $4,000 is
to be paid in cash. and the remainder
in irst2llments. They have no shadow
of right to do this, and they will not be
I o. Ovrad 70 do II and if Tho fret ,,at-,,,ort