The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-23

MORE AND BETTER SCHOOLS,
Schools in Rural Districts,

(Southcrn Cult yatorJ
Frof. =. N. IettIer, Of Macon, Ga,
in 2 recent address, took the tolIo"
ing ground in reference to schools
i'm rural districts:
BY rural districts mean those
COMMITTEES that have 10 cities in them,
or in which at least One-haIt OF the
taxable values belong to the farm
er>: and by reasonably efficient
schools | mean schools Of six months
duration each year.
In saying that such schools should
he provided at the expense OF the
State at large, I mean the state
School fund should be large enough
TO give to these counties six months
schools without being supplemented
by the people, either IN their lndI-
vidual capacities or through local
taxation.
| believe IN the principle OF help
to those who help themselves, but
in most Of the counties Of the State
we need at this time for the public
schools a minimum of self-help.
In majority Of the counties OF
the State school term Of SIX months
would be ample and satisfactory,
and where longer term is needed
it could be provided by an appro-
Driation from the country treasury
OF by local taxation.
am aware that in advocating a
six months school for the rural
districts at the expense ofthe State
at large. | am departing from the
beaten tracks and placing myself III
opposition to the plan OF local tax
alton which has been urged ever
since the school system was adopt
ed. The taxable values are too
small in proportion to the school
population,
in answer to the charge that /
am proposing to provide schools
for the country at the expense OF
the city. it would perhaps be sutfi.
cient to say that the cities, as shown
by the votes Of their representatives
in the general assembly wherever
the question Of levying a tax tc
increase the State school fund has
come up, have never objected tc
the proposition, but on the contrary
have always thrown their influence
in favor of increasing the schoo
fund by a general tax.
But better answer perhaps
would be that the cities are sure tt
receive back with interest every
dollar they invest in education
IN the rural districts. Call the Iol
of mOneyed and influential men IL
any Of our cities Sits bankers ant
merchants, It's lawyers, its doctors
its mayors, its aldcrmanic boards
and see if large majority OF these
were not born in the country ant
received their elementary education
there.
Under the general tax for cduc2
ton the Weather counties pa,
more into the treasury Of the Stat
for school purposes than they re
cclye back-the fund being appor
toned on the basis Of school pOpU
latlon. While with the poOre
counties the case Is reversed. Bib
county, under the one mill schOO
tax of the present year, pays to TIL
school fund on her $15,000,000 O
taxable values $1,000. Under tn
distribution of the general tune
thus raised on the basis of tn
school population she receives G5C
per capita on her ten thOusan
school population, or a total c
$4,000.
Towns county, under the sam
levy, pays on her $360,000 of ia
values $500, while in the Distribute
she would receive in return on he
school population of 1900, abOu
5000 or nearly So for every one sh
contributed to the fund.
But lect me be understood,
would have the State Fund suf1icien
to operate schools for SIX months /
the poorer counties only Of tn
State.
Wealthy counties, like wealth
individuals, require more money t
supply like wants than poor one
and they would supplement til
amount given by the State in orde
to provide for themselves such
school term as they desire.
But | believe | am correct i
SAVING tl0+ for q m q i0ritu Cf III