The Russellville Democrat., 1884-05-22
School Revenue.

The largest factor Tn producing this revenue is the five mlll tax But this is of a local nature and is defective in that, it is subject to an annual election. The limit is large enough, but once voted It should stand for at least five years.
 The next factor is the two mills general tax. It is well for all citi zens to consider, not an enlargement of this limit, but how .to make it more productive. It is sufficiently generous In legislation; larger amount would work hardship.
 To make 1t more productive sim ply means State development. This development is individual develop ment. How shall it be brought about?
 Every factor that enlarges the in dividual power is what we seek.
 Every man who is freeholder needs to know what he owns. Not by metes and bounds, but the elemen- tai structure and power of his earth. E. He needs to know how to keep what he has; not in fee simple title but against the thieves, waste, wear, and deterioration.
 To gain, this legislation is the min imum want; individual observation and intelligent judgment the maxi mum. Between these there is a large field which may be occupied by strong and intelligent association. But whenever that associated effort bends it's energies towards legisla- tion that Is not effective, or destroys the strong factors of individual ob servation and judgment, it destroys in either case the object of the asso citation.
 Whenever men produce more than they consume surplus is created for additional comfort and intelli. gence.
 Production depends not upon stat utes so much as upon we'll directed personal effort. Knowing our capi tai and it's real powers, we are al most sure of the production. This insurance, however, is not matter of course, but falls back for effective results upon an intelligent persona investigation of the means at hand and rigid scrutiny of every catas trophe to which it could be subject throughout it's course. These in vestments and thelr direction arc personal; they may be aided by as sociation but cannot be supplantec by it. How true is it "That every man is the architect of his own for tunes"
 After production is realized legis lation may be made effective. Tn, marketing of surplus in Arkansas destroys entirely too much of tha which is true profit. This is no due so much to lack of railroads a to lack of good country roads Our revenues would be materiall, enhanced by ramifcaton of macad amized roads in every county. Thes must be had sooner or later an, they ought to be commenced now They enhance valuations through out the country and should be bull by taxation. A cost of from $500 t $500 per mile Is all that would b entailed and five miles could b built very easily in each county ey cry year. Next after Igood roads systematic network of county ditche needs to be established and perpet uatcd. This from sanitary poin of view is demanded and when tn added economic value is considere becomes imperative.
 This ;s the work of far seein political wisdom and if neglected b the parents now, is the work fc teachers. The next generation wi act upon these living questions an they must be properly trained for
 wise action. Common schools ar not for abecedarians alone; the stand in the range of vital though and are expected to foster it. Thes elementary economic ideas properl