The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-27
THE FREE PARLIAMENT.
A Plea for the Children.

NORWOOD, r.. l., April %.
Norwood Is disturbed TO its centre as to
educational improvements, and forgets
the children In its haste to prevent fair
taxation. To spend few dollars and in
the future see their children blessed with
a fair education, they would rather save
the money and let their little ones run
wild as Tartars.
make this plea to the voters, not as
tax payer. officer or speculator. but as a
parent who like thousands OF others has
had cause to regret this inability OF in
attentiveness to study during childhood
DAYS. Are we justified In retarding the
progress Of our children because we no
longer want or rather, dare not ask for
education
Year after year our present insult
accommodations have been vividly
brought before the parents. A few have
bravely fought for Improvement, but
failed to change the many, who can
easily discern the cause of their children's
backwardness. Cramped for room, lack
of tutilage and discipline. aud irregular
attendance, because OF majority who
know (yet vote against it) that Norwood
will lie dormant until the day of jndg-
ment unless proper facilities are given
and used.
There are three projects advocated.
Some desire no improvements. no change
and consequently no education. Others are
in favor Of investing 1900 to rebuild and
add to the present school house. Others
still ask for new school house Com
ment upon the first Idea would be loss OF
time. In this progressive era, common
reason teaches us, cur children should be
allowed every opportunity to advance
To oppose education is to foster crime.
What advantage shall we derive from
the second proposition 1t is admitted
that our present Accommodations an made
quate, but Accommodations and space do
t,nf nd IN xnyhA lIxv nd mt
average attendance from which Is derived
the revenue, to maintain our school sys-
tenn Is so small that we are unable TO pay
q teacher for more than two-thirds
OF the school term. An addition
to- the present school house
uation OF the property. nor tend to in
crease the population. To sink 5000 in
improvements OF that nature Is to liter
ally throw it away and to delay the build
ing Of new schoolhouse for years. Yet
to raise this amount, $1,000, the people
must be taxed for an amount equal to
that which would be necessary to raise,
build and equip modern schoolhouse
with every Improvement. Not one cent
of this amount invested would return to
the taxpayer. placing 1t as Is suggested in
the present she'll.
travelling public In itself would be tell
ing inducemenu for home seekers and in
vestors to locate. An increase in popula-
tion means more scholars, more average
attendance aud more revenue from State
and town. From this larger revenue ade-
quate facilities can be paid for and most
essential of these benefits proper school
ing given the children.
A schoolhouse like that mt Lakewood
would cost, including the land, $1,000
not at once, understand. but at ten years
in such small installments the taxation
a I...~ ls<~lN h.
little felt, even by the poorest among us.
The amount needed TO buy land, build
| and cUmptete new schooth0usg rs exactfy
the amount that is called for 10 be
thrown away on the present one.
To substantiate these statements here
basinR the increase OF population aud val
| uation upon the standard OF the past five
| years, which it must be admitted is fair
| comparison considering our increase for
| the last two years
The total cost of schoolhouse and land
would be $1,000. To pay for the land,
raise the foundation preparatory for the
loan and pay the first years interest
$1,000 would be necessary, which would
be tax of 81 per 500 on the present valu-
alton of the district, which is 500, 900.
A loan can be made for $1,000, the
balance necessary to complete the build
ing at per cent per year, to De paid In
three installments; $500 at the expira-
tion of the fourth year, &, 800 the seventh
and $2,400 the tenth year.
The whole amount TO be taxed for the
first three years would be the interest,
$3.50 per year, or 1715 cents on every 81
valuation.
Allowing an increase of valuation in
four years of $4,000 which is far below
the increase for the past four years, there
will be $23O, 900 OF property to tax, to pay
the first installment on the principal,
which equals a tax Of 81 90 per 500, allow
ing four years to lapse from the date Of
the first payment.
With this payment the principal Is re-
duced to a, 700 and the interest for the
following three years to $235 per year, or
IL cents on 500 valuation. Take the
same increase in valuation for the next
three years and we have 500, 900 to assess
upon to raise the second installment of
&, $40, which Is SO cents on 500 valuation.
Again the principal is reduced to e. 400,
and the interest to $l20 per year, or less
than B cents on every 800 value. At the
expiration OF ten years the final payment
of s., 400 will be made on legitimate
valuation of 100000. equal to an assess
ment of but so cents per $l00
Thus, with ten years time to pay for it
in and surely nine years Of valuable use,
you have substantial aud modern school
building at % cost OF but 46 $40 cents per
year OF 800. Is that excessive?
A CITIZEN.