Birmingham age-herald., 1894-07-12
THE AMENDMENT
A Ringing Appeal for the Common
 Schools of Alabama.

The CollinsviIe Clipper of last week con- tains the following letter:
 CcLLINsvILLE, July 4, 1894. To the Friends of Popular Education and Those Who Believe in the Doctrine ot |" Lo- cal Self Government in the Seventh Con- gressional District of Alabama:
 The 9th of August will soon be here, when the people of Alabama will be called on either to ratify or to reject the proposi- tion of our legislature to amend the state constitution so that the school districts that wish to do so may tax themselves to limited extent for the purpose of ineIeas- ing the public school terms in their midst. As has been stated time and again, both in the press and from the public platform, a vote for the school amendment does not mean vote directly for tax fer schooi purposes, but merely to change the consti- tution so that localities wishing to tax themselves to increase their own school facilities may be enabled 10 do so. As the constitution now is this cannot be done. If few districts in the state wish to tax themselves is it not just that they should be allowed the privi.eg of doing soY
 Is it right that all those school districts that do not want local taxation shall say to those that do want il: ''No, yon shall not do this thing for yourselves?' Is. this In accord with the spirit of free American in- stiutons? Is not local self-gcvern ent the chief corner stone of the liberty that we as a nation love so dearly? Then will tho stale of Alabama deny this boon-the privi- lege of each community regulating its Cwn affairs pertaining to it's schools-to her citi- zens that have been true and loyal Tn season and out? We hope not.
 We have no criticisms to make on the men who made the constitution as it is. Our fathers have been loyal and true 10 their trusts in the past, and have guided the ship of state with conscientious devo- ton to the best interests of the whole peo- pie under the existing conditions. But conditions change with time. Because the framers of our state constitution dld not see proper to incorporate provisions for local taxation for the schools is no reason why we should not do so now. And 1t IS no aspeIson upon their integrity for HIS to change that constitution now. The lm- portance of popular education was not estl- mated a few years ago in this section as 1t is now. The reason for this is easily seen. New conditions bring new demands.
 The newspapers, tue ever faithful friends of progress, are doing good work in pub fishing communications and giving the people needed information on this subject, but the papers cannot do all. There needs to be personal contact. Those who under stand this measure and feel its importance should let their light shine on their neigh- bors and friends who are less informed and who may need their interest aroused. Re. member that it requires a majority of all the votes cast to carry an amendment to our state constitution. It is apathy, 1n- difference and negligence that must be counteracted to carry this amendment. All the different political parties are dealing with this measure in non-partisan spirit that is to be commended.
 Let every friend of education and of he future prosperity of the people look at this question from patriotic point of view and nQeal with it accordingly from now till the Hose of the polls at the approaching elec- jon. In campaigns like the present one, hen excitement runs high, such matters
 his amendment may be overlooked by
 By, and may be lost, not from opposi-
 D but for lack of attention.
 hen the smoke of the election clears
 lay on the 7th of August, and we are lis~
 ing to the returns as they como in how Tad it would be to hear, ''1 he amendment is lost!'' How much sadder still to hear |that \t was lost, not by opposition. but from lack of support. So let the friends Of pol u lar education be true to her in this hour of need.
 I h people are waking up to the import ance of this measure all over the state, and may the counties of the Seventh district be found in the front rank when the count is made. Very truly,
 DOUGLAS ALLEN.