Smyrna times., 1883-08-29

SUSSEX SCHOOLS IN A PREDICAMENT.
The reputation of Sussex county
politicians for political or sectional
scheming was not lost with the last
Legislature. By species Oflog-rolling
they did succeed in getting off with
most of the offices at the disposal of the
Legislature, but near the close of the
session let the New Castle members
get their fingers in their eyes bad.
They have never been so astute as
when an office is in question, while
their obtuseness ON the school question
has been the cause of continued and
prolonged regret by all our educators.
In pursuance of bargain to effect some
other purpose or from their character
istic indifference about their schools,
they let New Castle County get away
with $4,000, while they get only 81 800
ofthespecial fund apprOpriating $25, 900,
while at the same time they voted for
a proviso in the bill stipulating that no
district that did not raise the sum of
$75 could receive any of the State
dividend. In consequence of the pro-
longed session of the Legislature this
bill was passed two weeks after the
legal school election and thus has the
force of an er post ,fdctO law which is
not in harmony with our fundamental
law.
Previous to the last session of the
Legislature each district of Sussex
county was required to raise By taxation
the sum of $50 in order to receive the
State dividend. Accordingly, on the
first Saturday in April last the various
districts voted to raise $50 each, or
more, by taxation. April 19th-two
weeks later-the Legislature passed a
bill. one section of which, declares
"That no district in Sussex county
shall receive any appropriation from
the State until it has raised, by tax,
the sum of $75." These districts that
raised only $50 by taxation are now
refused State aid by State Treasurer
Houston and Attorney-General Gray
sustains the action by the State Trea-
surer. These districts that taxed them
selves only $50 will have to make that
sum go as far as possible, which will
be sufficient only for about two months
school. These districts it is said mum
Der one hundred. They are to blame
themselves for voting the smallest tax
possible to enable them to get the State
dividend and the men sent to the Legis
lature are equally responsible for max
ing requirement, which from theil
own act, it is impossible for the people
to fulfill. There is no provision in th'
school law for an adjourned meeting
and the people cannot raise the addi
tional $l5 by subscription. because th'
law says to obtain the dividend it mus
be raised by taxation. The evil whicl
follows this political mismanagemen
falls upon the innocent children, AM
to some of them it will be irreparable
for with many at a certain age, los
opportunity is never regained.
Since the above was penned intelli
genee has come that the difficulty ha'
been arranged. We thought it strang
that there was not pliancy in some par
of the machinery to effect this. Th
Morning News thus states how the lay
construed:
"That section of the new law which say
that no district of that county shall reeejV
any appropriations from the State until
has raised by tax the sum of S75 is so col
strued as to apply to the $25, 900 then AZ
propriated, leaving the distribution Of ii
income from the School Fund as befor
The share of the county under the Ia
act is $500, and the share of each distri
in this amount about $40 The distric
that raised only $50 for school purpVs
will not be allowed to draw this share, b
they will get their share of the School Fun
income as usual, which is S59.23 for tn
year. Under existing conditions this is
very fortunate and proper decision"