Daily globe., 1881-03-17
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Tde-Payer Tells Why There Should be No
IdcdtfOn for SucJt a Purpose.

TGc-Pdyer Tells Why There Should be No
TdcatiOn for SucJt Purpose.
To the Editor of the Globe.
The Pioneer Press publishes this morn
ing an editorial ia favor of High school
building in st. Paul. The argument is as
weak as any yet made. The writer avoids
altogether the main issue, which is how
far we can legitimately go in taxing the
people for educational purposes, and falls
back into the old twaddle about the ad-
vantages for the growth of the city to de-
rive from the erection of costly High
school building. l am disappointed 1
have long been waiting to see the par
tisans of the High school make some
show of defense for their pet project on
the broad ground of equity and constitu-
tional law. | thought surely, when |
found the Pioneer Press entering the
arena, that it, at least, would hit home
and reach the bone and marrow of the
question. But, no. The Pioneer Press,
no less than DIR. Dana and his friends,
takes the side track and misses the only
point which is of consequence in the dis
cussion. This scrupulous and constant
eschewing of the real question is equiva-
lent to an acknowledgment of defeat.
can put no other Interpretation upon it.
What sense is there in forever rasping
this solitary string of which their fiddle
is possessed How advantageous to our
city, they exclaim, high school building
would be. L could name thousand and
one things which would be most advan-
tageous 20 st. Paul more advantageous INV
opponents themselves would admit, than
q mh hr1t 1oN
dare propose to secure through taxation.
Taxing people is very serious affair, to
be done only within certain limits, for
certain well-defined purposes, beyond
which it becomes simple injustice and
robbery.
Advantages to the city to derive from
a high school. NO objection have to
high school, and high schools of superior
merit we will have in great number Just
as soon as the question of high schools
will be impartially left to private enter
prise. What grand high school our
neighbors of Northfield possess without
paying one dollar in taxes for the luxury
High schools have no connection with
taxation, and it is solely against high
schools supported by taxation that we
raise objections. No advantage will de-
rive to the city from high and unjust
taxation. "Thirteen mills on the dollar
and free open field to high schools and
colleges supported by those who desire
them-this is what will attract popula-
ton. Heavy taxes to educate rich mems
sons and daughters-this is what will
drive away population. Two years ago
it was said, if the high school bonds are
voted down the city will be thrown back
wards beyond conception. The fact is,
the bonds were voted down, and an era of
unprecedented prosperity dawned on the
city. Several, we are told, will leave, if
we have no high school; strangers do not
stop because we have no high school, |
do not believe such statements. Our
opponents trump up bugbears to frighten
the innocent st. Paulite into voting
for the bonds; they will not succeed. No
one minds their bugbears.
We are told that those who oppose a
high school should be ashamed of them
selves. Indeed! And those who educate
their sons and daughters IN Greek and
Latin, music and prosody, at the expense
of the poor neighboring washerwoman
and hod carrier, need not be ashamed of
themselves! Strange perversion of ideas!
Well, the washerwoman and hod carrier
nowadays think for themselves, and
they will stop contributing their dollars
to the education of Master and Miss
Shoddy. Citizens, who, whatever their
means may be are just and honorable, are
numerous enough in st Paul to protect
the poor washerwoman and hod carrier,
and between them all we are safe in pre-
dieting that the taxation for high schools
and colleges will soon have reached its
term. TAXPAYER.