The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-07
THE SCHOOL QUESTION:.

4
EDITOR OF TIE ARGus, SRI am VERY
much gratifed TO see that You are ventilatine
the school question, and was particularly
pleased with your recent article an the sub
jscs, though do not fully agree with you on
| all points. But that is no matter. 1t would
be rare indeed if ell people should agree, in
detail, upon this subject. And while the
people may and naturally will disagree upon
details, or upon points of minor Importance,
| have no doubt they would sanction and ap-
prove the general ideas set forth by you.
The proposition to give the board of educa-
ton power to levy tax of 81 per cent. for
three years, apd power to levy tax "f II
per cent. permanently, is justly attracting
the attention of the tax payers OF this city and
should be fully discussed and considered be-
fore such power is conferred upon that body.
Many admit the propristy and even neoes-
sity of having additional school houses for
the accommodation of the scholars, but say
that the money should be borrowed on long
tima, for that purpose, instead of taxing >the
people 20 enormously at time when they
are grooming under the heavy taxes imposed
by the general government ON account Of the
wicked rebellion, and when the county and
city authorities are compelled to levy the
highest taxes possible, to meet their pecunia
~ engagements. The taxes levied last year
for state, county, school and city purposes,
amounted to per cent, and if24 per cent. is
to be added to the school tax it will make 81
per cent. of the assessed value of our proper
ty. And if to that is added the income tax,
and all the indirect taxes and Licenses
collected by the general government, the
amount will equal the entire profits Of most
OF the business men of the city while, if an
individual was not fortunate in business. it
would actually bring him In debt at the end
of the year.
When the people are suffering under the
present enormous load of taxation, and times
are evidently getting harder and profits mar
rowed down, daily, TO q smaller margin, it is
wrong, unjust and oppressive to
tax the present generation to build perma-
n ems buildings for two three or more genera
sions to come. Ten CT twenty years from
now there will, in all human probability, be
q large and rich population here, and they
should bear portion of the burdens of erect
ing buildings in which TO educate their chill
dren. Is not this course just, fair, and right?
Every man must admit it.
Money is now abundant and cheap, and
seeking safe Investment, and certainly there
can be 30 difficulty in borrowing it for fifteen
Dr. twenty ysars, at Z per cent. interest, with
which to erect the proposed buildings, paying
4 small portion of the debt each year thus
each generation to pay. in easy in
portion of the sum required to
build houses for their own use.
1t is conceded that there are objections to |
AZ increase Of the public debt, on account of
tbs magnitude of the present city and county |
; and some may doubt whether |
;he money could be borrowed, on account of |
the failure of the county and city to meet |
heir engagements. But the Board of Edu- |
cation is very different body from the |
Board of Supervisors or City Council, and |
will. doubtless, always be selected for their
honesty and fidelity, and the public would |
certainly have no hesitation about taking it's
bonds, particularly when it is understood |
hat, within the last few years, the debt of /
he Board has been reduced from $50 900 to
about $4,000. This great reduction of the
iebt has been made under the ample power
given the Board by the school law, as it now
Exists. But If we are to ask the Legislature
10 enlarge the powers of the Board, and in
rease our already burdensome taxation, it
nay, and probably will have the effect to
hive oapitallstsaway from US and deter others
rom locating here, thus crippling the ener-
,ies of an already oppressiveIy taxed people.
Most people agree, with you, that the num-
Der of the Board ought to be increased but
lot TO the extent indicated in YOUR article of
he 4sh INST, 5 or 7'bsing generally conceded
0 be the proper number.
Ii you think these suggestions worthy of
,lace IN your paper, you will please insert
hem. and oblise
A TAXPAYER.
Rock Island, Jan'y 7. 1867.