The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1880-05-22
One Mill State Tax
and the Local Tax.
For the Support Of Free Public
Schools.
The True Intent Of the Constitution.

bill, ut only Que Mill, tor the support of
Free Public Schools throughout the State
to about twenty-five cents per eiu:
cable child. per aMamm-and the apparent
limitation OF municipal and parOcLial taxa
ton to the same rate, make it manifest
that the free public school system, az here
totore organized, in the majority of the par
isi'es, MS we'll us IN this city, is threatened
with the speedy destruction OF it's efficiency
unless a vigorously enforced puymemt Of the
annMn1 peN tar $l.5O by ecery adult male in
for the support Of the schools.
A brief history of the proceedings OF the
State Convention which framed the Consti-
tuition, will throw considerable light on
this question OF Limitation. and reveal. per-
haps, the intent Of oar Statesmen, as finally
ecolrcd is tie promulgated Consultations.
These proceedings show that, on the 10th.
Of june. 1879, when the 5th article of Ordi.
nance li0 ART. ~ Of CoMstitwton) was up
tor Consideration Judge Lyons eff East Fee
lieiana offered y clause in the following
words: And 1.-THE Logisiature] shau pro
eide that every parish shaN levy q lax for
the psblic schools notices. IN rate than the
tax LAID for such purpose on property there
in blythe State"
1t his clause, wise in it's conception and
60 catetully worded, had been adopted by
the c~enventiOn. there would have been less
risk, than there now seemstO be, attending
the hte OF the free public schOols.-But,
unwisely. the weakening process was there
upoi applied by an amendment of Mr.,
Blaschard Of Caddo, which destroyed the
Obligation imposed ON the parish, by substl.
tutng may for shall ; and the Article on
that day. wal adopted 50 rs to read Aud
(ths Legislature shall provide that every
Pansh MAJ levy q tax for the public schools
therein, not less in rute than the tax laid
fos such purpose ON property therein by
tn State"
Even with this feeble provision for local
takation, the Municipal Council of the CITY
Of New Orleans and the Police ,Jnries cf
tie Parishes, with patriotism AKIN to that
Of the Police Jury of Lafourchc Partial.
night have levied . tax Of tuo or three mills
tSr the support of the public schools: for
the words mot less in rate" than the State
TX, would nave encouraged them SO to do,
aecerding to the desires and the necefsit,es
+ their constituents.
IN the succeeding day, however, q seem
psiy adverse but possibly favorable move
sas efeeted, by a motion Of Mr.. Wells Of
klchiand, to reconsider the work Of the
Jay before, and by an amendment offered
by MIR. Stevenson, Of 1bervllle, which was
construed as substituting fireworks, ''sch;cA
rhan rot erceed tie State tau" for the words
n aess ~ ratc nan the tr laid for such
purpose o. property therein by tie Slatc."-
an o'asr woros: the Article as adopted on
tha0 aay 10 mat which now appears "a the
'''s: esuase ~ A:.cte ~ 81 ne Cotstit"tion.
IoftuI1a'eis, u ~ perceived, thy words,
10; s"e" P"rpose,, disappeared from the
the presumption that. in the d 5sla,.y.n =
Judgment OF the Convention. they imposed
Morii:es.-This view of the ae' ,pa a,ter'" :. an az,
tirmed by the facts, that q motion Of Mr..
to rest"re ~ t'e aen mas on the eth OF june;
to the cIans se', wa sE .aSi.d 'ior n sn en- "rpese'J
s.ms Of f., 1d 1Sr . when the 9Th Article again
Of Col. Claiborne. Of Po;nte CaS, On