The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-21
Amount to be appropriated

DOES NOT INCLUDE TIE POLL TAX.
This does not include the poll tax, which
it is estimated will be heavier this year than
ever before.
The amount received from poll taxes last
year was $3.50 900 and the estimated re-
ceipts for this year are $210, 900. This would
swell the total amount of the public school
fund OF the state to 81 16l ZOO 49, The poll
taxes do not 60 drought the hands of the
state treasurer but are paid into the hands of
the county treasurers direct for the school
fund of the respective counties. This
sum will give only about 80 so to
the education of each child of school
age in the state. 1t is an increase over pre-
vious years, however.
Another interesting question TO the school
teachers oame up in the shape of q petition
from the teachers of Burke county 20 the
Legislature upon the subject of the time OF
paying the teachers for their services. The
petition, which Is upon subject Of interest
to all she public school teachers OF the state,
is as follows:
We, the undersigned teachers of public
schools in Burke county, respectfully represent
to your honorable body that under the com
mon school law, as it now stands, we are com
PEELED to wait until near the close of each year
before we receive any pay whatever. Many of
us begin school work in January; and this long
delayed payment forces us into debt, compels
us 20 pay exorbitant credit prices for the neces-
stiles of lie, and often compells us to dis
count our school contracts at ruinous rates TO
obtain money to meet pressing wants, too deli
cate and sacred to mention in public petition.
We submit this plain statement of our necas-
sites and grievances, and ask you to do us simple
justice-nothing more, nothing less-by enact
ing law providing for the monthly payment of
our salaries.
Further, we heartily commend county teach
ers' institutes, established by the preceding
general assembly, as an advance movement in
common school work. However. since 1t is
manfeStY unjust to TeUuire u01AF DAnalry
Of fines, to detray from our scant pay travelling
and other expenses in attending the sessions or
the institute, we respectfully petition you 90
provide, by law, for proper mileage, Sufficient
to meet actual institute expenses-such mileage
as is allowed members of the general assembly
in discharglng similar public service.
Failing TO obtain relief herein asked, either in
the matter of monthly payment OF salaries or
provision for meeting actual expenses while at
tending the monthly and annual sessions Of the
county teachers institute, We are compelled. re-
luotantly, to petition for q repeal of the insti
tute law, which takes from us a good portion of
our discounted pay to meet It's requirements.
GENERAL ENDORSEMENT.
The plea of the Burke county teachers
was Endorsed by all the county superinten-
dents present. Under the present
arrangement most OF the pub
lie school teachers do their work
do not receive their pay until the end of
the year, as it is customary for the state
treasurer TO make up the school fund after
all the taxes have been paid in, which, of
course, delays the pay Of the teachers until
late in December. This works great hard
ship upon the teachers, the majority of
whom work for small salaries and most of
whom need their money as soon as it is
earned. Many of them are forced to dis
count their scrip at heavy loss. This is
one Of the great drawbacks in the present
school system.
Capt. Bradwell said that under the
present arrangement ID was impossible
to pay the teachers the full amount
coming to them as soon as 1t was
due except those who concluded their work
later in the fall, as large portion of the
taxes upon which the school fund depends
are not paid into tee treasury until later in
the fall He. wss strongly of the opinion,
however, that a great deal might be done to
remedy the present system.
THE PRKENsT SYSTEM.
Under the present arrangement the Yari-
Gus counties of the state are allowed to hold
tue five months public schools provided for
by law during any part OF the year they see
fit. or even to divide the public school term.