New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-15

not quit the battle for that reason. Beside,
we never had a doubt of the issue and
knew that after it was over all the wounds
and scars of the struggle would be forgot
ten in the benefits of the result.
Even those who most bitterly condemned
the course of The Tribune in that matter
must do US the justice to admit that all we
contended for was the principle of Free
Education for all the children of the State.
We never thought, nor ever said that the
existing law was perfect in its details; we
agreed that the system of taxation ought to
be amended; and stood ready to support
any reasonable proposition which should
make all right, eQualize the burden of sup
porting the schools and quiet the opposition
of the country. But that was not permit
ted. The principle itself was put in
jeopardy, and with it the sure foundation
of our republican institutions, and the popu-
lar intelligence and prosperity of the State.
1t was certain that if the majority of the
people should vote to repeal the law there
would be an end of Free Schools for many
year to come. There was then no choice.
The law must be sustained as it was, leav-
its defects to be remedied afterward. And
thanks to the wisdom of the masses and
the earnest efforts of the friends of the
cause II was sustained
Now, the victory having been won for
Free Education, the time has come to meet
the wishes of all those of the minority who
are not hostile to the principle itself. That
is the duty of the Legislature, either by
adopting the suggestions of the Superinten-
dent of Common Schools as set forth in his
Annual Report, or by devising still better
means if that is practicable. The PROPOSE
tons of the Superintendent strike US as
altogether just and worthy to win the gen.
eral appreciation. He would have district
taxation for the support of Schools done
away with, and either State tax or Coun-
ty and Town tax substituted. If the former
is fixed upon, provision must be made for
equalizing the valuation of property by
adopting a common and regular principle
of valuation in all the Counties, or else each
County must receive all it raises and no
more; if the latter, each County should be
required to levy on itself as County t,0ice
the amount it receives from the State Fund,
and also to levy an equal amount by tax
upon its several towns.
But we agree with the Superintendent
in preferring a State tax, and do not
doubt that such will in the end be the view
of the people. Let the expense of edu-
eating the children of the State be borne
by the property of the State taken to-
gether, and no man can fairly complain
that he has to pay more than his share of
the cost. But while we are trying to ar
range this business of taxation, let US see
that it is done as it ought to be. For our
own part, we cannot agree with the idea
which the Superintendent puts forth, but
does not favor, that the burden may be
equalized by giving to each County exactly
what it raises and no more. That does not
meet the case; nor does it accomplish a
reform which has long been needed, and
for which no opportunity could be better
than the present.
1t is necessary that the valuation of
taxable property throughout the State
should be made on one and the same prin-
ciple. AT present each County goes upon
its own hook and assesses its property at
an eighth, third. OF three-quarters of its
real value, as it may happen. The con-
sequence is that in any distribution of
money raised by State tax different
Counties fare most unequally. New York
City gets back only little more than
third Of what it pays, Dutchess about two
thirds, Kings about half, Westchester
about FIVE eighths, &c. while Allegany,
Chenango, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Steu-
ten and others receive from twice to Ave
times the amount they contribute.
Now this ought to be changed at any
rate and we call upon the Legislature to
change it now. Action must be had in the
premises. and what action can be better
than that here recommended Let the
blessings of Free Schools be accompanied
by this additional improvement and every
fair minded citizen must applaud the meas
ure. There ought to be no inequality and