The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-06-09
The Local Tax for Schools.

another column that notice has
been given to tho school trustees Of
the County Of the regular annual
meetings in June. We trust that all
persons concerned will interest them.
selves in this matter. Heretofore
there hos been entirely too much
apathy exhibited by our people in
reference to these meetings. in
some districts tho meetings have
gone by default. This should no 10,
longer be the case. Il Citizens should
not only attend, but should vote for a
tax. ..r ~ :
We have always believed tho sys.
tenn Of free uducation to be IN ad.
m;rable one, and two years ago, we us.
cd oil our influence In behalf of a local
tax. The people generally favored
the idea, and in consequence, the
tax was levied in every district save
one. But the defaloation in the
County Treasury prevented tho pay.
ing out of this money to teachers,
and there are now in tho bank, about
$4,000, claimed by tho School Com.
missioner, Of which large portion is
the proceeds from tho local tax. So
even in this case tho money was not
Lost.
Last year when the timo for the
annual meetings approached we were
not disposed to counsel any levy.
Moses was still governor, and rasoali.
ty stalked abroad. There was no
guarantee that an ignorant and cor..
rupt County Treasurer might not at
any moment be appointed, and fur
thormore we did not feel authorized
to advise our rsaders to pay voluu.
tarily single dollar directly or in.
directly to government that was
stealing from friends and foes alike.
The people seemed to take a similar
view OF the matter, and refused, OK.
cept in four districts, to hvy the
tax. These districts by Tho way
were the only ones that had sobools
for any length OF time.
This year, however, many of the
objections are removed. Gov.
Chamberlain has thrown his influence
on tho side of honesty. Frauds are
to a groat extent already oheok cd.
and the prospect seems still to
brighten. W. have a reliable Conn.
ty TroasureS who will obey the law.
The trustees ore honest and capable.
Here is therefore evory reason t. be.
l'e'e that any moneys raised by local
tax will be not only honestly but
judioiously expended.
Tho only quostion remaining is
whether such tax IS 5udioious. No
ene will deny tho necessity of eduoa.
tion. We have frequently adduced
arguments to show that she free
school system is tho best and should
Tor that reason be encouraged.
Further argument on this point Is
unnecessary. Tho last question is
whether local tax is needed. We
answer emphatioally, Yes! There
are six thousand children in Fair.
fold within tho scholastic ago. The
State apportionmont for this County
last year was $4,000, or o fraction
over fifty cents for each child. How
long will afty oonts keep a child at
school In private schools, from Two
to Ave days s in public schools, about
two weeks. Tho money thus sp.
portioned 10 therefore thrown away
unless it be supplemented from othor
sources. A local tax 10 necessary.
For anless the public schools arc
maintained, there will be NO edusa.
tion IN The county worth mentioning.
There are pay SCHOOLS 80 Wihnsboro
and 10 ono or two other localities.
But throughout the greater portion
OF the County tho noigbtorhoods are
unable to maintain pay schools. II
is serious question" whether tho
children shall grow up ignorant and
vicious, or whether q tax shall DO
lsvisd for their benefit. Even if
taxation be already high, it is better
to pay one or two dollars more on q
thousand than TO let ignorance curse
che land. We trust that q loca, .sx
will be levied IN every district. q o. ia
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Con. r.. P. Alexander, President