The record-union., 1892-02-09
THE CITY TAX LEVY AND THE
SCHOOLS.

Trustee Conklin is recognized as q
level-headed business man, but he is talk
ing some severe punishment just now
because, with his colleagues, he gave
proof of fine business sense in fixing the
school tax at less than the Board of Edu-
cation desires. It is said that he was
once member of the latter board and
ought to know that the money is needed.
Precisely! AlonZo Conklin was for a
long term of years member Of that
board. He was its President besides.
More than that, he was one of the best
educational officers the city has ever had;
he was earnest, faithful, able and enthu-
siastic for the best interests of the school
department. The capability he there
manifested gave him, as natural re-
suit, the higher office he now fills.
Now, knowing all about the needs of
he school department, Mr.. Conklin had
the courage to refuse to make tax levy
unbearably high.
Nobody knows better than Mr.. Conk-
lin if a new high school building is
needed. Our idea is that the present high
school building will do, and must do,
until the city is less financially strait
ened. Even the old seminary building can
not be remodeled to serve as high school
building if it involves an increase of the
tax levy. Repairs may be needed, calci-
mining, painting, and so on. But rather
than increase the tax levy it were better
to close the schools a few weeks earlier
and save the money necessary. To do
this will neither break up the school sys-
tenn, wreck the lives Of the children nor
unloose the tent hooks of the republic.
1t is unquestionably true that Mr..
Conklin is fully aware of the need for re-
pairs, for he has probably not lost any
interest in the school department by his
entry into the Board of Trustees. But
he wisely resolved that of two evils, that
of unrepaired schoolhouses is less than
disastrous taxation.
We protest against the legal proceed
ings just commenced against the Trus-
tees. Taxes are levied for better purposes
than to fee lawyers by the city to sue the
city. The Board of Education ought to be
content to wait. The people cannot now
help it. At this critical time to increase
the tax levy as asked may dangerously
cripple the best interests ofthe people for
long term of years. Schools will be
useless and schoolhouses for rent unless
we look very early to better drainage and
proper sanitation of the city. We have
done exceedingly well in street work,
thanks to public spirit and an efficient
Street Commissioner, and well in levee
fortification in single year. Let the
taxpayers now have a chance to catch
their breath.
The Trustees did right in refusing to in
crease the levy. Doubtless his intimate
knowledge of the needs of the schools
gave Mr.. Conklin's views weight with
the Mayor and Mr.. Mclaughlin, and for
the exercise of good financial Judgment
in this matter in the best interests of the
city the Trustees should be commended.
But, since legal proceedings have been
commenced, let US suggest that, to save
the two boards further trouble and to set
tie the difficulty, compromise be agreed
upon. Let the Board of Education be
content to take, and the Trustees to grant,
four cents more for this year.