Venable v. School Committee of Pilot Mountain

The school building at Pilot Mountain was burnt down. It stood on a four acre lot on the edge of town. A large majority of the citizens (four-fifths) presented a petition to the defendant, asking that the new building- be. erected near the centep of the town, on a lot of one acre, which could be bought for $400. It was proposed to raise the $400 by popular -subscription and convey the new lot to the 'School Committee, provided the latter would convey the old lot to the donors in exchange. The value of the old lot was estimated to be $300, the transaction being practically a contribution of…