Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-25

Mr.. john Frizzell appearing before
the State Teachers Association at Nash
Vile on the Esd inst, said he intended TO
treat on the financial aspects OF the
question beforeus. Tennessee has tried
all systems since 1885. The reason is
we have had no money to run the ma
chinery with. With the exception OF
the Eaton regime, not more than SlOO,-
900 have ever been appropriated in any
year. Why has Davidson county good
schools in abundance and Robertson
none? Because Davidson has raised
the money and Robertson has not. IL
Is the duty Of the State to furnish $780,
900 for the public schools Of the State.
In 1923 Offices for the sale of lands were
opened. the principal Of the proceeds Of
which was to be perpetual school fund.
In 1927 funds were appropriated, con
ssting of one-half of the capital OF the
State OF Tennessee, sale OF Hiawassa
lands, private donations, etc, escheated
lands. The Constitution Of 1884 pro-
yided that the school fund shall remain
inviolable for the use Of common schools.
In 1887 the Bank of Tennessee was
established, and the school fund was
made a part of the capital of the bank,
and 100000 Of the dividend OF the
bank appropriated TO pay the interest
on the school fund. The Code in 1858
fixed the school fund at 81 500, 600. The
Constitutional Convention of 1870 found
the fund in this condition. At this time
the body of the fund had been squan-
dered; vet the Constitutional Conven-
ton re-enacted the provision of the old
Constitution in regard to the school
fund.
The Convention Of 1870 thus estab-
lished the school fund as at least 81 ,5O9,-
600. Other funds may be added. The
interest of this iand shall be inviolably
appropriated for common schools. The
fund must be appropriated without con-
ditions according to the scholastic popu-
lation. The poll-taxes may be appro-
priated in the counties where collected.
The obligation rests upon the State to
appropriate this interest.
This interest has not been paid since
1860, and, therefore, must amount to
about 81, 1902 500. Can this be paid2 1t
cannot. but let this interest be added to
the permanent fund, making it amount
to about $780, 900. If fixed by legisla-
tive enactment, it can never be changed.
We have another school fund. The
United States granted to the State of
Tennessee GAO acres, in each six miles
square. for school purposes. These
lands we're directed to be sold, and the
proceeds invested in the Bank OF Ten
nessee. The'interest Of this fund was
to be paid to the school fund. The pro-
ceeds of these lands amounted to more
than S3S0,000, and now amounts to
1861, 1856. We have thus two school
funds, one to the State, the other to the
townships where the lands were sold.
Should we pay the interest on this
fund? The Constitution of 1870 de-
clares that this fund shall remain invlo
liable. The annual interest on both
funds amounts to $4,000. Shall this
be paid? Can it bel Will the Legisla-
ture pay this fund.- If the Legislature
pass law providing for this fund, the
next Legislature may repeal it. How
can the Legislature sustain themselves
at homer By making this fund sacred
obligation. How can this money be
raised? By levying a tax OF one mill
on the dollar, and by privilege taxes,
we have $3Il ,0O0 This should be
the State fund, to meet the interest
of the school fund, aud should be
divided without conditions through
out the State pro rata. How shall
we raise an additional sunni Some
say BIZ permitting the counties to levy
taxes for themselves But let the Legis-
lature levy an additional tax of one mill
to be expended in the county where
raised. This would raise another $34l,-
900. Now let a poll tax be appropriated
in the county where levied, and we have
a tax of $200,000 more, or in all 1885,
geo. What will this fund do for us2
The scholastic population, 400, 1000, of
whom IS per cent. will be in attendance,
or 10000 pupils in the schools. The
cost per scholar will be 81 per month,
or $4,000 The fund will allow schools |
for six months in the year. We may
talk about systems, but we must have
money. In regard to systems, we must
harmonic State and county ideas so
that there shall be State aud local su-
pervision, and State and local superyi-
sion shall be combined. Mr.. Frizzeps
speech was more like a lawyers brief,
but was listened to with the deepest at