The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-28
For the Spirit Of Democracy.
Schools and Taxes.

Schools and Taxes.
MR. EDlToR:-In my ramblss through
own, have heard several persons COM
,lain Of high taxes. And other indivicu.
lis, who ought to know better. are engage
I'd in the invidious work of misleading the
public mind on this subject. Truth is al
ways valuable; error always mischieyous,
therefore, every good citizen ought to make
war upon error before it takes full pos.
session of the public mind. Y
Now | boldly assert that our taxes are
in reality lower than ever they have been,
and that under the benign operation Of the
new constitution, they will forever become
lower and lower; because according 10 the
provisions of that instrument extrayagant
by the State government have
become difficult or impossible. But some
man will perhaps say how is this, Sir2 Do
we not have to pay more to the Treasurer
than we did formerly? Yes, friend, &C.
cording to the assessment you pay some-
thing more. But this increase arises from
two circumstances one of which is merely
temporary and the other is a blessing and
benefit instead of burthen. The FIRST
is levy by the Commissioners, this year.
of twenty-seven hundred dollars for the
purpose Of buying farm and building .
poorhouse. This source Of expenditure
will last about three or four years only. h
bears heavily upon the taxpayers for the
present. But does any CHRISTIAN wish to
see our insane or otherwise helpless fellow
creatures shut up. as at present. in loath-
some Jail, like thieves, rufians and muir
derers? know you do not, my friends,
know your feelings revolt at il. Then
we must pay cheerfully few years in orr
der to have them better accommodated
Moreover the Commissioners were strongly
advised 20 this measure by every taxpayer
whom they consulted and partly on the
ground Of actual economy.
The other source Of increased taxation
| is the public school. But let as look AT
facts as they actually are. Under the old
constitution the public money was other
aoise applied, but little was appropriated to
common schools. The teachers were few
in number and poorly paid. And IS no
adequate instruction could be had at the.
common schools, the citizens were COM
PEELED to get up schools by private sub
scnption; and of course TO pay both tax
and TUITION FEES. Now the public schools'
are notorieusly and unquestionably 40
good and as efficient as the private, and
we have nothing to pay but the tax. The
man, who formerly paid ten dollars school
tax and thirty dollars tuition fees, now pays
about fifteen dollars school tax and no tui-
Ition fees. Does he not save twenty-five
dollars? Is not that clear? Neiehbor,
look over your .eachers' and tax receipts
and see if this statement is nos substsn-
tally correct. If yon count both modes
of expenditure, do you not pay much less
than formerly? The subscriber feels great
and positive relief in This item of incFeas-
ed taxation. A lille, miserable, teszine
tax, just sufficient Tor the half pay Of ,esch-
Iers and the half schooling Of part Of. The
childse1. is no, good public economy.
Blu. some one will perhaps say, Why should
we have public schools At all? Why shoaldl
the taxpayer contribute TO school the ehil-
dren Of the non-taxpayer9 Neighbor, this
is not question for christian 10 ash
Ignorance is the mother Of crimes an d
outrages Of all kinds. We mnst either
pay 70. the dissemination Of learning. ne
ligion. morality and goodness. OF We must
pay for jails and stocks and penitentiaries
and the support Of criminal courts. Can
any good man scruple ae 10 which mode
of expenditure be ought 10 favor2
Fellow-ciizens, lei US each 60 maafa!ly
to work in his separate occupation and
show the world an example Of sobrieiy
economy and frugality. and The sight ol
the tax-gatherer will not alarm US. :
"Whatsoever things are just. what tsoeSel
things are true, whatsoever ,hings are Purs
and generous and lovely aud manly spd
!. of good report," let them all abound i
our daily walk and conversation, and "
shall have no reason to complain of ihs
burthens OF taxation. ~
: FRIEND OF MANEIHnS
n The Welland Canal.
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