The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-01
Taxation for Schools.

To the Editor OF the liereli
1t is perhaps ono of the greatest mistort-
unes that can DO visited upon an intelligent
community and thriving city to have num-
bered among lis citizens elusive wri,ers who
manifest upon every occasion the utmost
aversion and hatred 10 free schools.
With plausible sophistry, they affect .
mauilin anxiety for their establishment, but
cover,ly intimate that under the protense of
erecting school buildings, there is concealed
all manner of iobbery and fraud.
These writors--thia writer, / might say,
for nearly all these efIusions emansto from
ems source, is consumed With
8 desire 10 prevent an
anticipated stoal Of the school tax by the
city c0usCil and openly intlIngtee his fears
that corruption and fraud, viii mark tbsIl
every footstep. This writer intim.tes thaL thc
funds will be miesppropraiad, only the
foundations and walls will be partially con,
structod and then the council viii coolly turn
to tho people and say vote moro taxes or all
You have paid will DO lsst. Ho declares that
this "old oft tried and ruinous game is now
sought TO b3 played on Dallas" Now this
assertion 10 a grave one, directly affecting
tho integrity and honor of tho council
and tho mayor, and it IL be true this writer
should furnish more proof thsn his mere
dictum.
This assertion of propofod wrong
intended TO BE- porpa.raied by tho council
and its presiding officer, this covert intma
| gNf md Ia oil
or false. IL il IL true, this writer. having
made 80 serious charge, should Cortify it at
once with indubitaho proof; if ii be talso
md slandorou9 there should bo manly
and prompt disclaimer.
As citizen and taxpayer in this city,
expect 20 veto this tax, Gnd sincerely hope
that every man in Dallas that has
Tho iuterest Of our children NJ
hesrs, that really desires q
syaem Of FREQ schools that will rebound TO
tho glory and honor Of Dallas, will vote tie
tax, ] EIpect 70 vote for il, believing that
every dollar will DO justly and honorably
tpout. | anticipGtono jobbery and fraud. ]
Gm willing TO place eomo small measure Of
trust snd confidence in tho honor Of lhoso
men who now, or may after April next,
control the municipal affairs Of Dallas. la
fact, Mr.. Editor, | cannot we'll conceive how
this fund is 10 be misapprcpria,ed. 1--we
carry the tax, then it will be tho duty
OF the council 70 le. out 20 tho lowest and
best bidder the building Of tho required
school structures, according to the plAna and
specifications heretofore adopted
Tho amount OF money realized from this
tax OF 81 ~ cents on tho one hundred dollarc
can be very closely computed, and It would
be tho duty of tho council to conine their
expenditures within this sum.
cannot, graluilously assume that tho
council will decker End collide with bidders
on these school bulldogs. ] have more
respect Tor our common manhood than 20
believe this.
Now, Mr.. Editor, IL this sum Of money il
not destined 10 be stolen, tho next question
is 81 TO proprioty Of tho tax.
That We mood school buildings, will scarce
ly admit Of argument That We cannot
carry on m efficient and satisfactory system
of FREQ schools in tho dilspdated aud riokoty
buildings used in part for school purposes.
has been demonstrated. Tha. we arc vast.
ing, and will waste yearly, about $4,000.
unless We oroct suitable buildings, will hardly
DO denied.
That there is IN imperious, pressing public
necessity for the education of the children of
paIlah no Intelligent gentleman will dis.
affirm.
BY every oonsid ration of moral, social
and political obligation, this city is impelled
, 10 lioorsll3 provide for iho enlightenment of
r 10 population, ami tho elevation of cili.on-
ship.
, Tho advocates OF FREQ schools demand pub-
Y lie education rs q measure of public nccos
B atty upon exactly the Same principle and for
A tho same reason that public interests
. and tho safety of tho com.
4 monweaRh demand and receive
Q without voice Of opposition, tho construc.
b. llon OF forts, tho building ana equipment Of
Q ships OF war, tho levy and support Of sruie,
4 tho. erection Of court houses and prisons, tht
y maintenance of tho judiciary. An the.,
Y Establishments, institutions and agencies er,
a indispensable adjunc,s Of civilized govern.
q mont, and as such are created and suppor,e,
by the government, for tho common good
withou! an opposing voice, and vet, III
broad, universal principle OF intellectu,
and moral cultrc, that underlics ali q
N them, and goes through ono chsrnC
ter to the whole, ia forever sn,,S
o. onizcd by "Wide Awake Citizens" AZ a con
o. muuistic usurpe,ou, an invasion of N
Of sacred precincts Of individual rights. Whe
7 pestilenco hovers over tho land and icrowds
cities wait iis stroke" treasure from publ
40 coilcr aud private pureo Ia contributed viii
10 oul. stint TO stay lie fearful rsysce,. and ,
y. protest comes against tho sppropri alton
~ public revenue for tho relief Of suffering n,
VI msnity, or for arrss,ing the progress
or the epidemic. But when our emit
of city from river 10 prairie
ho threatened with malaria
. ignorance, destructive Of tho higher elsmen
40 Of our being, tho social and moral, and ben
u, subversivc oftho very foundations Of civill,
ec government, every appeal for relief Is mo,
., covert attack, by the stubborn and unyisl
go Ing opposition of"Wide Awake Citizen"
"a Whom invading armies gather upon o
NY shores and hostile feels shadow our waite,
nan heavy tribute Is laid upon every resource !,
gu, industry OF tho country, but 10. tho ii
~. DO called upon 70 foster that policy Viii
", bring. II prosperity aud honor Ia pea
nj IAssA1