Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-20
THE ueploaAsLe SITUATION.

THE DEPt0RABLE SITUATION
schools without Revenue, and LeRisla.
tors Opposed to Education.
Editors Press and Dako:aian Your leg
islative report shows that the council, in
considering the school bill, abolished the
general school tax of three mills and the
school poll tax Of one dollar, or at least did
all it could toward that result. But your
account omits to give the names ofthe men,
beers who struck this foul blow. Let US have
the full vote if possible, naming these Dako-
ia politicians who, as SOON as entrusted BY
q ~too-contding people with the power to
mar or destroy laws and institutions they
have not the capacity to appreciate, fastened
their grip in the throat Of the public school
system, determined to drain it's blood and
choke out it's life.
In such new countries, there are always
dark epots,-districts where the majority,
like these councilmen, don't care whether
school keeps or not, il it don't cost them
anything; but would rather it would not
keep if i, is to add a dime TO their taxes.
So this general tax or fund was created to
help secure to allsuch stingy neighborhoods
the benefits Of schools, by making the strong
help the weak, the unwilling help the vii.
ling by equalizing the cost, and practically
fulfilling the command, "Bear We one 40.
others burdens"
This general fund is divided among dis
%tricts. 60 much to every pupil. 1t is the
property Of the children, given 10 secure
them a chance TO learn to read and write,
especially where the contemplate parsimc.
ny Of local landsharks would have wholly
denied them this right. When divided it
usually gives each pupil from one to two
dollars per annum. if his district supports
school; ii no school, then no money. No'h-
ing in our law goes so far to make educa.
ton general, as the county fund from this
three mills tax, which half a dozen un-
scrupulous enemies Of education have
done their meanest TO abolish.
How would other public interests fare, if
governed by the same skindint policy !?
Suppose this wise council enact that i. is
not best to lay a county tax for roads and
bridges and records, but make each one
who wants such favors provide them him
self. Or suppose the United States pass q
law declaring that since territories are 2
costly nuisance and legislators are often of
very small caliber, it is wrong to tax the
general treasury to pay these obscure
pioneers their wages while playing states.
men. Let Uncle Sam announce that here.
after the rule is to be every man for him.
self, and the devil take the hindmost - that
if Dakota wants a legislature and laws
and courts let her pay for it; il
Bon Homme and Clay employ represents
tives, two hundred years behind their age
let Bon Homme and Clay fork out thei,
four dollars per day. What county would
care TO be represented upon these terms
| Where would Dakota's leg ~islsture and laws
aud courts be, if ours we're not a liberal acc
fraternal nation! And what would thes.
thrifty, niggardly politicians do for ia,
winters job, with q chance TO misrepresenl
the people and rob The school children.
The champions Of ignorance in the coun
Gil did their best t. destroy all system and
organization in school matters by abolish.
ing the Office Of superintendent; they then
tried to disgrace that Office by taking away
nearly all the salary they repealed every
cent of appropriation for teachers's insti-
tutes; they reduced the amount of special
school taxes which districts may vote,
about one half; and now they want to de-
stroy all other sources of revenue except
this special tax voted from year to year.
Noble band of patriots! When such as
saults are made upon the school system on
the pretense OF econumy it is we'll I o watch
closely for steals and grabs that are liable
to follow.
The school law is eminent]y a poor mans
Law +; 1t aims to put the education Of poor
o 4o4AAIiCo upOu kuC eobcSt UdSIS, WucE0
psltry, gripping, little-souled land specu-
lators can break it up entirely by refusing
support. And as one Door man, who wants
his children educated in q safe and reliable
school system, I protest against Q change
that will rob the system of much of its eff.
cheney and shut up perhaps half the rural
schools.
Let these few patrons Of economy return
proudly to their admiriug constituents, say.
ing: 1t 10 true we met at z q. N. to get our
fonr dollars while away on an excursion /;
we prolonged the session to the utmost linn.
it at the expense Of the territory; but we
put in our time faithfully 10 trying to starve
out teachers and hinder education for the
.sks Of economy. Poor PARENT.
Our stock is always fresh. We receive
new groceries from first hands every day