The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01

school tax shall be levied and collect
edIif the state tax is found sufficient
10 run the schools six months In the
year."
Mr.. Taylor said he had noticed by
the headlines in the papers that the
were the enemies of public
He denied this, and con-
tended that, so far from being enc
mics to free schools, they were afraid
that the state system would be alb
sorbed by the district system. There
would be disjointed, inefficient sys-
tenn. Some districts would have good
schools and some none at all. His
county paid more to the state school
tax than it got back, but he didn't
want 1t To be reckless of the interests
of other counties.
The subject was further discussed
by Messrs. Tilson, Hill, Nash, Rogers
and Cravens, after which the amend
ment was lost.
Mr.. Speaker and Gentlemen Of the House;
This question has reached stage at
which feel very deep concern. 1t
Is question in which my people, in
common with the people of the whole
state, are directly interested. Sir, /
have listened with much interest to the
discussions which have been going on
upon this question for the last four
days, and while much of what has
been said was wise, yet TO my mind
much of it was otherwise.
What the people of the state of
Texas want is an efficient system of
public free schools. Our present con-
stitution, hide-bound and IRON
bound as it is, makes it imperative
upon us to provide for an efficient
system of free schools; though 1t pre-
vents us from availinG ourselves of
the means by which this can be done,
without forcing us to raise more reve
nue. for state purposes than is neces-
sary to run the machinery of govern
ment. The Democratic platform,
formulated and thrown to the breeze
in the Oleander City, demands that
we provide for an eHcient system of
public schools.
But more than this; yea, thousand
times more than this, the children OF
Texas-the present generation and
generations yet unborn-demand that
an efficient system of free schools be
established and maintained.
We have all the natural advantages
of a high order of culture, a high state
of development. We have salubrious
climate, as pure water and as bright
and promising intellect as any state
in the American Union.
All we want Is the means by which
the youths may be properly educated
Sir, the majority of this house are
willing to guarantee liberal state aid
for the purpose, and all We ask of the
minority is that in sections or dis
tricts where we desire to continue
schools for longer time than is pro-
vided for by the state, is that we be
allowed to supplement this state tax
by voting upon ourselves sufficient
amount to continue them as long as
we may desire. Sir, / know there are
number of districts in my county
that would gladly avail themselves OF
this opportunity. Our towns and
cities now enjoy this privilege; ther
why should you discriminate against
the rural districts by refusing then
the same opportunity? Gentlemen
l do not believe that you who live IL
towns and cities and enjoy this privi
lege can refuse to extend to the rura
districts the same rights which you
enjoy. Sirs, this is only permissivt
tax. 1t only gives the school district:
the right to supplement their state
tax; and you may rest assured
gentlemen, that the people in the
country are not going to vote upoI
themselves a tax unless they fee
that it Is necessary. Sir, do moi
propose, as was intimated by the gen
tleman from Falls, to PROSTATE my
self at the feet of this minority. | d(
not propose to come here crouchinl
and covering like cringing vassal
but 1 come in the dignity of an Amer.
lean citizen and demand the rights
which properly belong to every free
man. Sir, the main opposition II
this district clause comes from gen
tlemen who represent the black belt
of our great state. And, sir. it is I'M
fortunate that there exists in por
ton of our state mass of illiteracy
that is truly appalling, but it is ever
more to be deplored that there stands
upon this floor those who claim u
represent that section and yet stan,
like a Chinese wall between thi
mountain of illiteracy and those here
who desire to remove 1t. The schoo
district system, wherever it has beeI
tried, has proven a success. In thoS
states which have the most perfec
and most successful system of fire.
schools, the district system prevails.
pt1f hnNTn "a 70 rri wa ~
whole of Mr.. Tilson's speech.
Mr.. Hill, speaking to Mr.. Town
sends motion: impugn the motivr
and acts of no member, for / am per
suaded that we all are seeking tn,
same general result-that, is an eff
Gent system of free schools: but, sir
it does appear to me that the oppo
nents of this bill are sally in error /
they think we can establish such s
system by state taxation alone. Il
appears to me that true craftsmanship
demands that we consult the laws o
the other states that have establishe,
such schools that are efficient ant
work well. If we do this we find tina
no efficient system OF free schools
exist without local taxation a
supplement to state aid
Let US see, then, for /;
moment as to this. Missouri gives
one-fourth of the general revenue t.
free schools but collects six time;
that amount from districts, for local
schools therein.
Ohio furnishes one dollar to every
five raised by districts. Maine has
absolutely no state tax for schools
Pennsylvania furnishes 100000 an
nually to free schools. and the dis
tricts raise the balance 100000.
New York, the empire state, fur
nishes $4,000 TO free schools an.
nually and the districts must make
up the balance, which you know they
do.
Now, sir, why anyone can pause a.
to our duty after consulting the Law
of the states mentioned,
cannot comprehend if we really in
tend what we say, and that is to fur
nish the children of this state with
the means OF an education by STATE
law.
Adopt the amendment of the gen.
tleman from Colorado (Mr. Town.
send) and you reverse the rule-you
only get local aid when the state fails
to give six months tuition. The OBJ.
ject of the law is to equalize the whole
state and give more than state limit
to districts that desire it. For me,
can SEQ no craftsmanship in limiting
this tax alone to the state.
The question recurring on the fina.
passage of the second proposition OF
the resolution for district school tax
its consideration was stopped by 6
call of the house and motion to send
for absent members.
Mr.. Scott. in speaking the day be