The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-02-29

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tracts from the QueeH's speech to
Parliament, advising public schools
for SeOtland, and the action Of the
School Board in London. lie then
showed the prevalence Of such
schools in the United States, and al
luded particularly to success 7of
pabllc schools in Virginia, .AIaba
ma and other Southern. States, where
the same questions are presented
to the people as presented here. lie
then read the following table,
showing the average annual cost Of
education per scholar, in the follow
ing places, under a system Of pub
lie schools New York, s2l; San
Francisco, SIT SO; Boston, SIT so,
Baltimore. SIS 50; Charleston, S.
C., IL 81; Cincinnati, II; Sayan
nah. Ca, Is 05
Why, then, is the average cost in
our county SO per scholar2 it IL
because we have, without knowing
it, the most expensive system in the
world. The system of public
schools has been inaugurated iB
tventy-three counties in Tennessee.
and this is tie testimony of men
from Davidson county, and well
known TO you. Here was read
the address of the COMMITTEES OF
which Neil ). Brown is chairman.
To test the saving, let us apply
the operation of this tax TO a few
individual cases. Suppose a tax Is
levied to the full extent Of she law.
1t cannot exceed four mills. A man
who pays taxes on $1,000 would
then have to pay 81 on his proper
" and 80 cents poll tax, total s. 50.
Let US see if ne would save. This
is his total cost. His children
woutd 90 TO school free of charge.
If he sends one child, it wonil cost
under the present system $40 D
year. children would cost $50.
and 3 children $120. If this tax Is
adopted, it will cost him only 81 80
for all. Take a man who pass tax
es on $4,000. His tax would be
S 40, so. If he sends one child to
school, it nov cost him $40. Two
chindren cost $50, and three chill
dren $t20, etc, Gentlemen, make
your own calculation. You all know
what your taxable property amounts
to. and what you Eow pay FOR edu-
cation.
You viii find that all will save
money, except men who are very
wealthy, and those who have no chill
dred to educate But some one may
say, is it just To tax these men?
This, freely admit, presents to my
mind the only valid objection to
this tax.
But there is mach to be said on
both sides. II VIC wait 20 find a
tax which veturns to every wan the
money taken from his pocket, We
will never tax at ali. But men Of
property are generally men OF large
and liberal views. The same uner-
ring sagacity which has conducted
them on the road 10 wealth, points
out to them that their success is
bound up in the prosperity Of their
country; that in helping the public
veal they often help themselves. If
the man of wealth he one whose
e heart warns his genius" and not
one whose genius withers his
heart he viii not wish, in order to
escape tax, to be in the way OF the
prosperity of his people. Men Of
wealth, and Of broad inteIlects, and
warm hearts, are usually found to
be among the warmest advocates of
this system. But let US cease to
look at individual interests. Let
US elevate our eyes to the public
interest.
A few years ago the Ind an wan
dered over the county. OF what
value were the lands, which now
can make men rich? A might
have owned the whole county and
stiH been poor What leyciled
your forests and built your pleas
ant country homes. and your busy
towns? Look around your county,
and YOU behold
/" The very earth, the steamy air,
Are All with fragrance rife,
And wealth and beauty everywhere
= Are bursting into iife.n
What caused this changer What
magic wand has touched this
country? 1t is the intelligence OF
the white man which makes tie
earth to blossom with wealth and
plenty, where she rcd man wan
dered IN q wilderness. Is 10 not
wise to cultivate this intelligence, IL.
iU can produce such results as tiIescy
/ confess, gentlemen, when /
think Of the opportunity now az
fonled us TO put education within
the reacif OF every child, rich an'l
poor, to improve so much the
grade Of our schools. to make edu-
cation better and cheaper. 70 save
such a great annual expense TO our
county, to take control Of the edu
cation of our labor system. to shut
the door on Congressional iaferfer-
encC, when / look at the prospect Of
escaping SO many evils, and gain
ing so many blessings, my heart
glows with enthusiasm, and all per
sonal considerations dwindle into
iusignidcsnCe,
One more word, and ] am done.
! have discussed this question as
tax OF four mills were proposed 10
you. Yen will vote. bowevei, CA a
tax Of two mills, just half. This
viii raise, from all sOurces.. about
$l6,0O0 This is just enOugh TO
support schools, entirely tres OF
charge TO scholars, for five months.
The tcaachers have made all their
arrangements for the. present ses- +
sion II the commissioners see fit I
70 inaugurate these schools far the +
next session of the year, the pro /
posed tax viii supply a sufficient I
fund to pat them in operation FOR
i've months, aud Try the expert I
menL The expiration OF the ses
sion of Eve months wil lriag us o.
January, the tine FOR a mex levy.
The county can thea decide wheth
er the system shall be continued 4
bat ! predict that II veu give the I
public schools a fair trial once. y0u
Eili never abandon them. nov
cave the matter 10 your hands. In
lie language 81 an eioqHent divine,
. thongh we consider this matter