The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-03-29
Township Unit System.

|
EDITOR OF THE TIMEs.-If my observa-
tions concerning the probabilities of the
proposed township unit system bill becom-
| ing law are desired, l have no hestancy
in giving the reasons for my opinions ex-
pressed at Bancroft. That the bill will not
pass the legislature l have gathered from
the expressed opinions of Legislators. And
that the speculating upon the probabilities
of veto L would say that should Gov. Luce
not veto the measure in case of passing both
houses it would be to say that the Gov. has
not the courage of his convictions, and as a
member of each of the two conventions that
nominated him ! was always impressed that
Gov. Luce was not lacking along that line.
Perhaps no proposed measure of legislation
was ever presented that did not contain
grain of good in il. A contrary hypothesis
presupposes Legislators either of unsound
mind or morals, and such supposition
seriously reflects on any constituency. There
are two considerations involved in any
legislation, justice and expediency. There
are certain tendencies of legislation that
are obvious to the observer of all legislation
e. g., the power of the township drain COM
missioner has been largely vested in a county
official. The same may be said of the secre-
tary of the county board of school exami-
ners Before the present legislature are
bills to vest the auditing power in county
commissioners and to create the office of
township road supervisor abolishing the
present road districts and overseers. These
along with the proposed change in the school
laws are a part of n present tendency in
legislation, and mentioned to absolve the
teachers OF Shiawassee county from any
pernicious activity in influencing legislation.
Were TO offer a criticism on the present
bill would say that under many circum-
stances inequality of taxation would result
in townships where a high school was 1nan-
tanned. In examining the case specifically
find that the maintenance of the High
school at Byron cost in 1887 $16.5 81 per capita
computed on enrolment Bancroft, .S13.40.
While the district schools on the same basis
of computation cost 1888, the graded schools
in Shiawassce county costS1l.54. The diff
crence between S11.54 and 1888 spread on
all property would represent i'm many in
stances the result of the new law, the excep-
tons of course would be in the townships
like Hazeton, New Haven, ct al, where no
high schools are maintained. About 5000
children in Shawassee county live i'm the
village districts and 5000 i'm the rural dis
tricts. There may be some other elements
in the case that may change the appearance
of this, but it is my impression that this is q
fair statement of the case. If there is to be
a township school board the present town.
ship inspectors together with the Supervisor
would be preferable. The township inspect
ors would make a connecting link in the
school system that does not now exist, and
the addition of the Supervisor would add
the third man who knows intimately the
township needs, and the school census would
involve no additional cost If taken at the
same time of the assessment. This together
with limit as to expense incurred by the
board would not increase expenses nor Gre
ate new officials. The demand for the
township system from the people has come
from the northern part of the state where a
settlement is made in q township and
school district formed, but section 8, chap.
IL of the school laws prevents them en-
bracing moro than nine sections of land
while the remaining 81 owned by spectators
pays no school tax. This is the reason of
the act being made local optional. IL the
people of certain township in Alpena
county want to tax speculators' land for
school purposes il involves the question of 5
justice with them, and we here in Shiawas-
see county will decide its expiedency with
us. Personally nwith the cooperation of
officers and patrons of our schools we can
have the best of results under existing laws.
The discussion of the subject is productive
of good in many respects.
JAS. N. MCBRIDE,
Sec. Co. Board OF School Examiners.