New-York tribune., 1885-02-24
THE NEEDS or COUNTRY SCHOOLS.


School Commissioner James l.. Lusk Of Bing-
hamton y. Y, III his annual school report to Sup
,rintendent William u. Rugglcs. makes strong
pea for an increase in the rate of the State tax for
the support Of tho rural schools. Tho present
method of appropriating school money he says,
tends to unduiy favor the strong schools III the
cities aud large towns. at the expense OF the weak
rural schools The school taxes actually raised In
many school districts are wholly inadequate to
maintain the schools properly such school dis
tucts. therefore, are compelled to employ less
efficient teachers and be content with shorter
terms.
And yet notwithstanding all this Commis-
sioner Lusk says that the towns have paid for all
school purposes rate of tax greater than the
mites by 20 per cent aud have had poorer schools.
and seven weeks less schooling lie believes,
therefore that the great cities should be called
upon 10 help tho rural school districts. AS the
property of the State must educate tho Children
he SAYS what sound reason can be given why its
AGGREGATION in cities shall relieve II from paying rs
much ON the dollar for educational purposes rs Is
maid by the more thinly difused wealth Of tho
c,untryin OF course, rs education Is Il common
concern of the State. aud the cities VIII be part
sufferers if the country children are Improperly
educated Commissioner Lusk Is quito right In
theory; and we believe that a more equitable ad-
iustment of the school fund Is desirable. 1t Is
monifestly impossible for the poor and sparsely
..tted rural school districts to maintain efficient
scbool system on the present basis OF taxation.
Ncw.York Is already taxed heavily to sup
mort the public schools outside tho city.
And whether IL is wise to principally to New
York CITY. as Commissioner Lusk seems to suggest,
and demand that il shall assume additional bur-
dana for the benefit of the country schools VIII DO
thouubt by many to be a question admitting OF
discussion. There is no doubt that New-fork and
tbe other larger cities of the State recognize their
dutv To help their fellow -cltZcns In the country 80
far ns they can But they duties first OF all to
their own citizens, and many of them, as in the
case of New-York, are burdened with heavy debts,
no less heavy because largely the heritage OF cor
rupt rings. This city also believes that II pays
already more than its due proportion of State tax
alton. on account Of an excessive and inequltaDlc
real estate valuation as compared with that Of the
country districts
The question therefore is. with those
focts IN view shall the largo cities of the State
tbrouph their representatives in the Legislature.
assent 10 the imposition of a State school tax more
than sufcient to meet their own needs, III order
that the surplus, paid by themselves. shall be ap-
nled 10 the country school districts !
Tho question must bc decided g.. on prac-
tical not sentimental grounds. IL is not. what
ought the cities to do but what arc they able 10
doY As for ourselves we should be quito willing TO
| see a retrenchment in many other directions, III
| order that tho public schools throughout the
State might be generously and properly supported