Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-11-06

BILE only through the ennobling influences
of the school. No fair reason can be given
why the one should be supported by equal
taxation, and not the other"
The third point made by the superintend
ent is that :" the common schools are aided
by state taxation in nearly all the states OF
the American Union" Hon. N. III. r.
Dawson, United States commissioner OF
education in 1878, is quoted as saying:
Both the elementary and the higher edu-
cation were provided for by many Of the
early colonies, especially by those of New
England And from the time of the first
land grant for common school purposes by
the congress of 1875, state aid to education
has been an acknowledged principle Of the
American people, even those of the most con-
sentative individualism conceding in some
measure the right and duty of the state to
educate" A table prepared by Mr.. Dawson,
giving the revenue per capita of population
from state taxes devoted to the support of
schools is appended TO this quotation. BY
this table it appears that Maine raised S3.54
per capita New Hampshire, S9.03; Rhode
Island, 1923; Connecticut, S2.19; New
York, $780, Virginia, S219; Kentucky,
S25S; Texas, S3.47; Ohio, $3.50; Indiana,
S4.40; Colorado, SLIP; California. S1139.
Last year in New York, So, 1853, 1895
was raised by state taxation for the
support of the public schools. This was
more than one-fiftll of their entire ex-
pense. Massachusetts has a school fund of
81, 709, 1852. From this every town whose
grand list does not exceed one-half million
dollars receives annually $500. Again,
the Massachusetts mortgage law If / un-
derstand it, by which the mortgage pays
taxes where the land is situated, must tend
10 adjust the burdens of taxation" Yet
with all the state aid given TO the smaller
towns, the Massachusetts board of educa-
ton in their report in 1888 said that il is
the clear duty Of the commonwealth to fur
nish greater pecuniary aid TO the poor coun-
try towns" In addition 70 the large
amount received by the small towns from
the state school fund, the Massachusetts
legislature last year granted 50 700 more to
provide superintendents for them.
The fourth point under this head is that
OF equal taxation constitutionally consid-
cred. " If our school system is a state sys-
TEN, if education is for the public good, our
constitution, article 9, demands equal tax
alton" The superintendent makes this
interesting resume Of the statistics bearing
on this subject An examination OF the
statistics diseloses the painful fact that
1860 children in the state are attending
schools of only "A weeks in year; that
1926 children are attending schools of 30
and 80 weeks; that, probably, 5000 or 5000
more are in schools of Is and 2S weeks;
that the average rate of district taxes for
schools OF 30 or more weeks is $50; that it
is 80 per cent for schools OF "a weeks, and
oue-half, should be added 10 this, to sup
port schools in the smaller localities Of the
same length and character as the schools of
30 weeks; that the average rate OF district
taxes is 40 per cent in ESSEX county AZ in
Bennington; 80 in Windham; but it is only
% per cent in Chittenden, rs in Addison,
M in FRANKLIN; that tho average length
OF schools in the state is 272 weeks,
that the average length in Essex county is
% weeks; in bennington, 26.6; Windham,
$50; but in Addison and Franklin it is %
weeks, and In Chittenden, 28,l weeks; that
that the average length OF schools is the
greatest in Rutland county, il being 30.5
weeks, and the average rate per cent is 2S.4,
but in schools OF 30 weeks 10 is only 24.5
per cent" Commenting on these figures, he
says. II this were mere temporary
condition resulting from temporary cause,
II would require very different remedies,
or perhaps none at all; but, on the contrary,
it is the inevitable result of a false prin-
ciple OF taxation, long continued, and
growing worse and worse year by year.
1t is full time thar the spirit OF the consti-
tuition should pervade and shape the ettire
system, as Justice and expediency clSArly
dictate"
Again, the superintendent discusses
equal taxation in schools where legal
studies are taught" No one claims, he
the present statute, 70 provide schools Of
the same grade and character in all the
towns. =" But IL is most strenuously in
sisted that our practice and management
OF the schools, and taxation 70 support
them, must harmonic with our theories of
schools and taxation. This undoubtedly
would require that the public schools. ia
tchich are taught those studies required by
ldic 10 be taught, shall be substantially OF
the same character aud usefulness. The
wealthy towns can, and should provide
schools whore the higher branches may
be taught, and boys and girls fitted for col
lege'
The next topic discussed is How the
fund should be divided IL a state tax is i'm
posed On this the superintendent SAYS:
" 1t should be divided among the towns on
the same principle as the public money is
among the districts in the several towns,
namely, certain amount among the towns
equally and the rest on the school popula-
ton. IL is divided in New York in this
way. A tax on the grand list of the state,
divided per capita, is not sufficient relief
Tables, carefully prepared by Mr.. +. A.
Fernald, recently principal OF the Water
bury graded schools. are submitted ia sup
port of this statement. In concluding the
discussion Of the needs OF the small schools,
the superintendent SAYS. " II IL is thought
that the superintendent has devoted too large
a space to the small schools, his excuse is
that he believes the only obstacle TO the
complete success Of the new school law Is
this inequality OF taxation, aud, with that
rectifed. we should have good a system
of public schools there is ia America
The second general subject 10 which at
tention is called is that of the "town sys-
tenn" The superintendent saws: " The
reasons urged above for state tax to equal
ize taxation among the towns have equal
force in favor Of the town system for the
purpose OF equalizing taxes among the dis
tricis. 1t is difficult to see how one reason
can be given for the support OF highways,
bridges and the poor, by tax on all the
property Of the town, that is not of equal
force in favor OF supporting the schools in
the same way. The superintendent is aware
that there has existed in the state a strong
prejudics against the town system. bat be-
lieves that 1t is much less at this time; hut,
at all events. he is firmly persuaded that
the school question can never be perma-
nently settled until the burdens of taxation
are adjusted as they ought TO be. -
Sacfinn 22a- a. nrAsanfed hv the learned