The herald., 1898-02-03

done our utmost to bring the guilty par
ties to Justice. We have found, however,
our way blocked in almost every direction
by the law, which appears to be peculiarly
adapted TO shield wronsdoers in this de-
partment. The acceptance Of a bribe by
q public official is usually felony, but
we were advised by a recent amendment OF
the law exempting members Of boards Of
education, and placing offenses of the
above nature by such officials In the
category of misdemeanors. thus removing
them from the jurisdiction of the grand
fury. The punishment for misdemeanor
is so slight that corrupt school director
would have no hesitancy In extofting
money from teachers or employees underhi
charge, especially when the salaries are
made so attractive that teachers and en-
ployes can be found who are willing TO pay
for such positions. Also by reason or the
above mentioned amendment several per-
sons who made willful, deliberate and
afterward self-confessed mitetatements
of facts In relation to these offenses. were
relieved from a charge of perjury
In the first case of this Kind we tound
an Indictment, but it was not presented
because we were advised that by reason
of our having no right to conduct the In
yestigation the evidence given was not
material and therefore the indictment
would fail.
We also started an inquiry into the
purchase of supplies by the board of edu-
cation, but this was stopped by our being
advised that while the law evidently con-
templates that purchases shall be made
from the lowest bidder. no penalty attaches
in case they are not so made. and should
the board of education purchase lead PEN
ellis at a. dollar each the public has no re-
dress unless it can be shown that por-
tion of the money went into some onictafs $
pocket.
we most earnestly recommend that the
laws be so amended that these evils and
dangers be removed as far as possible
from our public schools.
The Importance which the community
attaches to the education of our children
may be measured by the amount OF money
which we expend in that direction. almost
one-half Of the entire expenditures OF the
county being for the support Of the pub
lie schools
AS TO TEACHERS
The qualifications required of the
teachers are high and the salaries liberal.
But a few short years are allowed child
to equip himself for the battle in life, and
he is entitled to every facility for so do
ing II he is put In charge of an incom-
petent teacher he Is Handicapped In the be-
ginning. and there is no parent who would
not infinitely prefer that money should
be distracted from his pocket rather than
that his child should be filched of his op-
portunities to make his way In the world
What then shall we say of a man who,
under the guise of patriotic and sra-
| tuitous service to the community, in de-
partment that is closest to us all, barters
| the futures of our children for few
paltry dollars or some trif1ing advantage
to himself?
We utterly reject the theory that neces-
sity exists for combination In our board
of education: no such combine is con-
templated by law. neither is 1t necessary
for the proper conduct of the public busi-
ness It deprves useful members of the
board of a voice in its affairs and begets
grave suspicious in the public mind as to
the motives which hold the majority In
continued compact.
We have to record the death of Mr..
George Irvine. a valuable member of our
body, who died on the 1st day of December,
1897. w. j. WASHBURN.
Foreman.