Evening journal., 1893-03-22
PUBLIC SCHOOL Cash.
Legislators Now See the Need
Of Equitable DISBURSEMENT.
wILMINaTON EpUOATORs HEARD.

A Bill to he Presented Revising the
whole school Law and Equalizing the
Distribution-1Iany. Important Measures
Before the State Lawmakers.
STAFF Correspondence Evening Journal.
DOVER, March s2.-The General As
sembly is at last awakening to the me-
cessity of making an equitable distri-
button of the state school funds. New
Castle lcounty pays more than two
thirds Of the state revenue and does not
receive as much per scholar as either
Kent or SUSSEX county
Last evening Charles Baird and s.
Redmond Smith. of the Wilmington
Board of Education, had a hearing be
fore the Committee ON Education. They
spoke in favor Of diverting one third of
the liquor licsnce fees Of Wilmington
from the state treasury to the support
Of the Wilmington schools. Their argu.
ments were very strong and convincing
and, while they may not carry their
point In respect TO diverting the
license fees, the agitation made
by Wilmingtonians win result In equal.
ization of distribution The visitors
showed that the surplus revenue fund Of
each county amounted to s., 635. The
state appropriation to New Castle county
is $4,000 and to Kent and Sussex,
$1,000 each. The receipts from general
fund aud other sources are: New Castle,
Sal s66 AZ Kent, S24, 620 Sc; Sussex,
$37, 36663 New Castle county paid to
the general fund SIS, 021 G7, and received
$4l, oG6 40 Kent county paid $7,003. 523
aud received $2i, 620 56. Sussex paid
$5,i5127i and received $3I306, 68
The city of Wilmington paid TO the gen
eral fund $4,000 and received SO, 600.
New Castle county, including Whining
ton, received for each scho Tar from the
general fund, 81 S6 Kent county, 81 "a;
Sussex county, $423, and Wilmington,
sos New Castle county, including
Wilmington. received from the entire
state fund, SOS, $40 %; total number Of
scholars, 1902; received for each
scholar, $3.92. Kent county received
from the entire state fund, $3S, 355 So (;
number Of scholars in Kent 500; re-
ceived for each scholar SO 90 Sussex
received from the state fund, $51, 621. 30;
number Of scholars, s, I97; received for
each scholar, s. 81, Wilmington
received Sl3. COO; number of scholars
2, 463, received for each scholar
$L37. No final action was taken
by the committee as IL proposes to
present bill revising the whole school
law and tequalizing the distribution Of
the funds. To arrive at an intelligent
understanding of the matter, State
Treasurer Burnite, State Auditor Du.
laney, ex State Auditors Mustard Pratt
and Houston; Ex Superintendent Of
Schools l.. Irving Handy, superinten-
dents Griffin. Tmdal and Gray will meet
the committee in the State House day
and discuss the proposed revision in AL
its phases As soon as a conclu sion is
reached an attorney will draw the bill
and win be reported to the House.
Relief For Manufacturers and Merchants.
A quiet effort is being made TO have a
bill drawn TO lesson the state tax on
manufacturing and mercantile establish.
ments. The Wilmington Board OF Trade
and the Wilmington Industrial Associa.
tion have already addressed communica
tions to the General Assembly stating
that the excessive tax paid by Delaware
firms keeps away industries and prevents
the development Of Wilmington and
other trade centres Of the state.
Several days ago Senator Pyle wrote TO
Clerk Of the Peace Biggs Of New Castle
county for statement of amounts paid
by manufacturers and merchants He
received the following figures for 1892:
April Observation-Disclosures, one
year, $2Ss as; manufacturers, six
months $40. October settlements
Manufacturers, one year. $l3 933 AZ 7; six
months, 500. 10-Total, $l4, 45S %.
April settlement Merchants, one year.