The Wheeling Daily Register

Wheeling Register.

THE SCHOOL ELECTION.

We trust that the citizens of this and other counties throughout the State will bear in mind the important election to be held under the school law on the 8th of August. Independent districts are exempt from the operations of the general law, and in this district, as has been already noted in our local columns, the Board of Education has, upon the best legal advice that could be obtained, decided to make the levy and appoint the teachers without the formality of a special vote; but in school districts that are not exempt from the provisions of the general law it is absolutely necessary that an election be held on the second Friday in August to determine not only who shall be County Superintendent of Free Schools and who shall be the local trustees, but also whether or not a local levy shall be made for the support of the schools of the district.

In voting upon the main question presented—that as to whether or not a local levy shall be made—it should be borne in mind that if the levy is refused no portion of the State school fund will be applied to the benefit of the district so refusing and that no free school will be open in that district during the ensuing year. In the meantime however the general tax of ten cents on the hundred dollars will be rigidly collected for school purposes, and the fund thus created will be applied exclusively to help those who manifest a disposition to help themselves. Unless a local levy is ordered, sufficient, with the aid received from the State fund, to keep the schools in operation at least four months in the year, the State appropriations will be withheld and applied in those districts that are willing to levy a local tax.

The question is a plain one and we have endeavored to put it as plainly as we can.

In Ohio county, outside of the 'independent school district of Wheeling,' the people will be called upon to vote on the 8th of August whether or not they desire public schools and whether or not they are willing to be taxed for their support. A vote of the same nature will be taken in every school district and at every school house in the State, outside of those districts that are specially incorporated and made independent of the general law.

The attention of our readers is therefore particularly called to this matter and all are urged to bear in mind the day of the election and also to vote in favor of a local levy for school purposes.

We most earnestly urge our readers, be they of what political party they may, to give to the free schools of the State their cordial and unqualified support and to labor unceasingly for the diffusion of the blessings of popular education.