The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-11-25

t"tlu'!, INC icrv snail not exceed n
dollar and half on every thousand
ofpropcrty returned. The Commit.
tee on Education hcdgcd tho bin IN
: pretty closely. 1t cannot do harm
even If, as our contemporary evidently
thinks, it can do no good.
The Press mt Banner is troubled
about another matter. Itsays, "Locul
taxation, Plus State school fund,
means absolutely free cducation," and
then calls attention to the constitutions
al provision for the compulsory at
tendance Of children between six and
sixteen, so soon as facilities have been
provided for free instruction. It
adds, care our people ready to sub
nit to this, and send all the boys and
girls, white and black, in the country
to school for at least six months in the
ycarf In our part of the world the
trouble is not much to drag children
to school as to keep them from crowd
ing in and overwhelming the teachers.
we venture to say good many peo-
pic arc ready to have their children
sent to school for six months. Indeed,
they are willing to tax themselves aCl-
ditionaKy to secure this very thing.
But our contemporary need not be
alarmed. The levy Of mill and II
half in few towns that desire it will
not make education free in the State,
nor will it even impose upon injured
parents the burden Of being compelled
to send all the children in tho country
to school for six months in tho year.
Local taxation Is not State aid, and
we fear the day Is far distant when
all the children IN the country will be
PERMITTED to attend school for six
months in each year.
Another point is that small towns
are not rich enough to raise any adc-
quate sum by local taxation. There
is some force in this. The bill should
be amended to embrace n district at
lcnSt four miles square. A mill and
half Oh these districts would raise Il
considerable sum, and. with the aid
Of the State and poll tax, would run
schools for number of months. But
If the mill and half be not enough,
let our contemporaries free bill
scheme come in. We believe, how
ever, that with full attendance to
secure the State tax, the local tax will
support schools from eight to ten
months in year.
Our contemporary asks finally,
"llavc not the taxpayers Of South
Carolina, in already contributing
about $3.50, 900 year for public cdu-
cation dono their duty to the public
schools2" AS these taxpayers are
parents, or ought to be, VIC think not.
South Carolina stands almost at the
foot Of the list BY our contcmpo-
rary's estimate, about 81 800, 900 u
year would bc required to maintain
schools properly. And we presume
that 81 100000 arc expended in public
and private schools together. Why
not take some from tho expensive
private schools and add to the chcup
public schools. We do not expect the
State to raise anything like 81 800 900,
but she should give moro than
$780, 900.
In conclusion wc submit that the
Press and Banner judged of merits
of the bill too hastily. 1t was carctul
ly conceived, and it can do no possible
harm willie being capable of much
good. And we would give an en-
couraging word to our legisla-
tors. They need not take too much
time in looking before they leap. The
bill is well stuffed and padded mat
trcss with no sharp or jagged points.
1t won't hurt them badly if they alight
plump upon it. It affords them
chance for the easiest jumping thoy
have ever experienced. Certain towns
in tho State desire the benefits of the
bill. Let them have it.
From former articles on the subject
we should Judge thnt the Press ant
B0nncr is not aware that Winnsboro
enjoys local taxation under oil act of
which the bill it so bitterly attacks is
almost an exact copy. No dire consc-
qucnccs have yet resulted here from
this "odious and iniquitous" measure.
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