The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-08-21
The Great Question.

Inc HreW question.
Editor Sitter IL think | am warranted
In saying that the outlook is good for tn,
most favorable solution of the school
question that could be desired. As the
result OF great many inquiries, made du.
ring the last month, believe that the
time is ripe for the adoption OF a STATE
OR COUNTY TAX for the support of our
schools.
The present deplorable state of affairs
necessitates either a straight 'back out
on the part of those who brought for.
ward the new law, or relief in the manner
suggested And this relief is Just what
we want and what we never could have
obtained had not some such burdensome
system, which necesitates it, been thrust
upon us.
BY the adoption of the state tax we. in
the back towns, can have the privilege of
first-class teachers at, of course, ,flrst-class
prices, and cause the larger places and
the valley towns to "chip in" and help paw
the bill in other words the school tax will
be equal throughout the state, as it should
be. and the people in the large towns, like
Manchester, that have been enjoying first
class schools at ten cents on the dollar
must seven up" with us in the back towns
who are paying from sixty to one hun.
dred cents on the dollar of the grand list
wherein real estate is apprised far above
what it can be sold for.
A state tax would result directly to the
benefit of the back towns at the expen Sc
of the larger and valley towns. Of course
great deal of labor and energy must be
put into the work by the back towns. We
must be alive, and thoroughly alive, to
the Importance of the issue. Don't think.
friends, that we can sleep upon our arms
and gain the victory. Make this
The GREAT ISSUE.
Let everything else give way. For
scores of years we have struggled with
the burden of unequal and unjust taxa
ton, but now we have the opportunity to
lift it. Let us firmly struggle, fully de-
manding our rights. Never shall we get
them until we do demand them with
firm and strong hand. If the back towns
unite, they have the power and can carry
the day. But when they allow themselves
to be made the mere suppliant tools of
those representing the larger places, their
power is naught.
This subject is more important TO the
welfare of Vermont, to day, than all
other matters of legislation combined. |
see in its issue the dawn of new era for
our struggling back towns. That they
should be where they are is matter of
no surprise, whatever. Rather it is a
matter of surprise that there should be
so few abandoned farms as there are,
while during all these long years the large
and central places have been impercepti-
bly,, little by little, gnawing at our very
vitals. The excess achich the mountain
teeDns haze already paid for the support Of
their schools eceutd turn acres upon each
farm into a garden.
As a rule, we have so far stood by and
silently witnessed these devastating pro-
ceedings. But it is time to call halt.
And when the day shall come, as God
grant it soon may, when the laws of Yer
mont shall grant pure, equal, and free
system for our public schools, up let us
raise our flag as high as belfrey and tree
top can swingit.
M. J. HApGooD.