Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-29
CONSOLIDATION DEFEATED.
Attempt 10 Consolidate Rural Schools
in Blackhawk County Results in =

tt0We
Waterloo, Aug. 90 The special cleo
ton in Lincoln township yesterday to-
vote on the proposition to consolidate
the schools Of the township in the CEN
ter near VOORHEES, and the issuing Of So
900 worth of bonds for building new
central school building resulted yester-
day in a decisive defeat for both propo-
sitions, the majority against being
iforty-fve votes, fifteen being cast by la
dies and thirty by men. This is the
winding up Of one of the most bitter
contests ever waged in the county, and
sore spots have been made which will
be a long time In healing.
The agitation for the consolidation Of
the schools in that township was begun
last winter by the publication of arti-
.cles from the pen of the most able Iowa
school men. praising the way in which
consolidation was pleasing at Buffalo
Center and urging consolidation in both
Lincoln and Eagle townships, but espe-
cially Lincoln township, where the
schools in the corner districts were
scantily supplied with students. County
Superintendent Moore was the original
sgitator for consolidation, but he was
soon ably championed by several OF the
citizens in Lincoln, living near the CEN
ter Of the township. From the first the
patrons of the schools located at the
corners OF the township opposed the
scheme on the ground that their chill
Idren would be compelled to go SO far to
the school building and that the aban-
donment Of the district schools in the
corners would have q depressing effect
on the price Of farm land, school privi-
leges being less desirable.
Finally the friends of consolidation
sent committee to Buffalo Center to
examine into the exact conditions pre-
vailing there. This committee returned
thoroughly enthused over the project
and reported their findings to that ef-
feet. Then special election was called
end the proposition to consolidate and
issue bands carried by small major
fty of twelve votes. Owing to some Of
the votes cast by the women being put
into the ballot box Used by the men, a
clear violation of the law, new cleo
ton was called. But before this was
done threats were made by the oppo-
rents Of the measure to block the carry
ing into effect OF the will as expressed
by the majority. The opponents or cons
solidation also sent a committee to Buff
falo Center, who reported conditions ex-
actly opposite to those expressed by the
friends OF consolidation. Interest was
at fever heat. Not only We're the citizens
IL the corners Of the township anxious
to leave no stone unturned to defeat the
measure at the new election, but citizens
of Waterloo, of whom there are many,
| who own land in the districts which
would be most seriously affected, put
forth efforts to defeat consolidation.
After the meeting held to hear the re-
port Of the committee opposed to con-
solidation the friends of the project
called a meeting which was to have
been addressed by gentleman from
Buffalo Center. That gentleman fall.
ling to put in an appearance, superin.
tendent Moore was asked to do the talk.
ing, which he did.
The meeting was quite largely at.
tended and enthusiastic, and no one was
quite ready to hear that the measure
would be defeated by so large major
ltty. The citizens OF VOORHEES,, where the
town site company had donated sight
ly block for a school house site and
where 1t was hoped the new schoo
| would be built, are naturally greatly
disappointed over the failure Of the
proposition. The citizens had hoped tc
Egive the small town boom thru this
means. While VOORHEES, folk are discon-
ISOLATE. the people Of Hudson are CORE.
spondingly jubilant. The carrying Of
the proposition would have meant much
to them. Trade from the south, now
naturally contingent to Husdon, would
have been diverted in large measure ia
VOORHEES, II the new central building
were built there and put into force.