The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-22

graph In the Democratic platform
authorizing the levy of special school
TAX, that system of public schools
might be maintained, and state taxes
reduced to the actual expense of state
government. 1t might be strange for
him as democrat to say IL, but really
the present school system was a grand
fraud. We have to hunt for good
teachers because you won't vote
sufficient amount, and often
have to put up with education
al tramps. We want money
to bring the services of good men. As
a member of the examining board in
his county, he knew an applicant who
Texas. The state was bounded. he
said, on the north by Maine, east by
Michigan, west by New Zealand and
south by the Atlantic ocean. He
would rather make the tax 30 cents
than do without it, and hoped the
amendment would be voted down.
Mr.. Wurzbach said that the state
and the Democratic party demanded
something of the legislature. We can
only arrive at it by some compromise
1t takes II votes for such measures.
AS to this particular measure
on 400 millions of property the ad
valorem tax at 1917 cents would give
S5OO,OOO. The poll tax would give
say 100000. This, under this bill,
the occupation tax will be materially
decreased, say about $4,000, leaving
about $4,000 for school purposes, or
say with interest on school bonds to.
gether with such interest as may be
derived from sale of school lands,
$25O,OOO. or altogether in round num-
bers $1,25O.OOO under the 121k cent
| clause.
The bill will not take effect for
three or four years; then there will be
from $4,000 to 100000 pupils. can't
| figure it out, under all the benefit the
law would allow, at more than 81 250,-
600. You will have less than SO pee.
capita. 1t will be impossible at 125%
cents to raise enough to allow mora
than SO or 81, which is not enough.
He was willing to go as far as we
consistently could to meet the wants
of the people and the views of the
convention in Galveston.
Mr.. Parsons offered an amendment
to strike out 25 and insert Is cents In
line 16 of the printed bill.
Mr.. Lakewood said he was opposed
to any amendment taking away
discretion from the legislature
He would not be afraid to make the
amount 100 cents and trust the mat
ter to their discretion.
Mr.. Frank argued that the question.
should be considered In q spirit u
compromise as to the limit to be
fixed. The resolution reported back
a compromise measure. Twenty-Five
cents was not too much. The people
demanded of the state that they may
send their children TO school six
months. viii this amendment give
the necessary amountp l doubt IL II
will. He read from the comptrolfef's
report, page 43, showing little over
one million of dollars. The bill
passed this morning will add some
thing to this fnnd--will increase 1t
say two millions. Then we can have
the school open about six months
He had confidence enough in the.
legislature to leave the matter to their
, discretion. The limit could be re-
duced when the people demanded.
Mr.. Durant said he rose 10 advocate
the sentiments of the report, and
, stood on the broad platform of princi-.
pie. He would vote for so cents
rather than l21E cents.
Mr.. Hill said there were several
things to be considered as % what we.
can get through and what the people
J will ratify. One-quarter tax was the.
highest amount adopted except by
one legislature. which the people did.
not approve. 1 don't think it ought
, to be placed above that. / would
vote for Is cents. The people would
ratify 12X cents if we could agree on
that figure. If we pass the bill as 1t.
comes from the committee IT,
will not be ratified by
the people. / do not say
12X cents absolutely. L would vote
for Is cents as matter of compro-
mise. am willing to put my vote
on record at the highest figure which
any Democratic legislature has APP
proved.
Mr.. Robinson, of Jack, argued that
the demands of the Democratic plat
-, form, ans of the Galveston conven-
ton should be met by a better sys-
TEN of the public schools. His sec
tion would vote even for 30 cents
gladly. He was satisfied they would
60 solidly for it. He wished to be I'M
derstood that he advocated free
schools in the fullest sense. The peo-
pie would be deceived by no delusion
and snare in this matter. The Re
publicans would vote for 80 cents.
The Democrats would go en- masse
for it, and the Independents and
Greenbackers would wheel into
line. As to compromising,
shall Democrats be compelled, he
asked, to compromise with them
selvesp Are we not pledged to the
free school system 7
II THE speaker stated that he had
signed house bill 1893, to make appro-
priation Of $4,000 for the improve
ment of the grounds and repair of the
asylum; and the bill to amend article
1000 revised statutes. Also. substitute
for house bill 50 and 100, the branch
asylum bill.
i Mr.. Stagner spoke ON the question
of the pending bill. Mr.. ArInistead
had informed him that this was
compromise between all parties IN
the committee room. Why ask thj,
house now to compromise agat n )
He had been sent in The IT,
est OF education, and u,n',,ld
be found working VIZ W." ,SoSa
marching in that dixecsg,o snd IN AZ
Tense of the honor, ss)-vation and nor
petuation OF DeIno0ratic princinIes In
Texas. lie Tant,sd 10 make edrca-
tion Democrats. ' '1e"
Mr, PARSONS said no was in favor OF
twOrsy .lyec cent tax, and withdrew
his substitute.
Mr., Htheredge said:
MT. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the
nouse-l do not wish or intend to trespass
iong upon your pstlence, but Icannot. In
Justice TO my feelings upon this subject.
remain silept while there IL \ probability
0I tnese amendments being adopted. SIR.
IN my humble opinion. there never was
AND probably never will again be more
important question before this house than
the one nov pending. In this question IL
involved, and upon fits solution rests. ali
tnat pertains TO common schools In this
state for the next ten years ut least.
All that contradistinguishes ciyfifxad
and enlightened nations and peoples from
savagery and barbarism 10 here nj stake.
Sirs, this 10 wonder ful age; the sciences
and the arts are marching onward with
gigantic strides, and 70 such an extent
that 1 cannot think the people Of this
great commonwealth can longer be gulled
with the old "penny wise and pound fool.
ish" system OF the past, which gave us
not only almost no schools, but drove from
| the great school-helds OF our state all our
most competent and worthy Teachers.
leaving IA mainly 10 the hands Of ineom..
petent interlopers.
No man, sir, can do this subject luz
| tice or exagRerate its fmportance.
4 Ia Ia h.s III IA. j.