The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-08-29
Department of Education,

AuSIll, lSAuo, august II. lCOJ'
DR.. ]. L. M. Curry, General Agent Pea
body Education Fund, Richmond, Va:
Dear Sir-In beginning my report this
year l am pleased to call your attention
to the notable increase made by the leg
islature at its late session in our State
ad valorem school tax. Heretofore the
rate has been ~ IL cents on the 500.
1t was fixed by the late session at 25
cents on the 500 for the current year
and at Is cents for the years that are to
follow.
Twenty cents on the 500 is the maxi
Min rate permitted by the State consti-
tuition, and the friends of the public
schools were quite earnest in their efforts
to have the rates fixed permanently at the
constitutional maximum. 1t is encourage
ing to note that our able, progressive and
philosophical governor boldly recon-
mended the adoption of the maximum IN
his regular message to the legislature and
that in q special message sent in about the
middle of the session he took occasion to
urge it upon the legislature in the strong
est terms. do not feel at liberty to
omit this mention of the governors brave
and friendly interest in the public schools,
as is shown in this matter of taxation,
subject upon which almost all public-spir-
tied men are particularly timid. The
friends of the schools in Texas congratu-
late themselves upon having so, strong
friend in the executive chair. ,iro sI. ..pl
Another feature in the history OF the
tax bill that furnished ground for con-
graduation is that when the finance COM
mittee Of the house reported the bill fixing
the tax at 20 cents for this year and IL IL
cents for subsequent years, the house,
under the splendid leadership of Hon. H..
L. Dashiel, chairman of the house com
NIT on cd na finn nv n nro ptic1llV IMAM
imous vote amended the bill so as to fix
the tax permanently at 20 cents. This
action of the popular branch of the legis-
lature is significant, indicating that the
public schools have firm hold upon the
confidence of the masses and that the peo-
| pie will provide for the adequate support
of our school system.
The vote in the senate in favor of fixing
the rate at 20 cents was very strong.
| Fifteen senators voted for it,; five voted
against it and three senator's refused to
vote. AS only 20 senators voted the chair
ruled that there was not a quorum voting,
| thereby sending the bill to the table. When
| it was next taken up lower rate was
adopted and the bill passed. Upon the re-
turn of the bill as amended to the house
that body promptly refused to concur in
the senate amendment and demanded a
conference. The result was the adoption
|
| this year and IS cents for subsequent
years.
have given you the history of this bill
| to show that the sentiment of our people
| is in favor of going to the constitutional
| limit in the way of school taxation, and
that we may reasonably hope that the
small additional increase permitted by our
constitution will be made in the near flu
ture.
The increase made att the late session OF
the legislature, | may be permitted to re-
lpeat is a notable one. The increase for
| the present year is 90 per cent of the
former rate and the increase for subse-
quent years is A per cent of THE former
rate. The estimated increase of funds
from taxation for this year is $500.
10000, and for subsequent years the in.
crease is estimated at $450,0O0.00.
doubt whether any Southern State can
make better showing for the spirit OF
educational progress and the growth OF
popular interest in public education dur
ling the last few years. wi
The State board of education has
just made the apportionment of schoo
funds for the next scholastic year.. The
scholastic population is as follows
white children, 541,510; colored children
l1I1, O79; total, 71S,649. The apportion
ment was fixed at $3.50 per caput, ant
results as follows: For white children
81 ,915, 495; for co!ored children, sos,
1850; total, $2,514,271.50, This ap
lportionment was made after providing
for the payment of $547 ,690.50 yet due OF
the apportionment for the current year
1.-The total estimated receipts Of our avail
able school fund for next year are, there
fore, $3,061, 962.02. .ra.s., ta.,
II AT the opening of the year the outlool
/ for summer normal work was most dis
J couraging. But by judicious efforts TN
! depressing effects of the financial stringen
cy that continues to affect all parts OF on
: country were in measure overcome, in
terest in the work was revived, and nov
: that the summer normal season has close
a careful review of the work done, con
tvinces me that the results are brighter
better and more permanent than the re
suits of any former years summer norma
work in Texas. ~.
, The school of methods held at Dalla
+ was the most brilliant and successful
summer school for professional improve
( ment Of teachers ever held On this state.
The school opened in Dallas on June
and closed June 90, continuing tire
weeks. The faculty. of which Dr. O. II
4 Cooper of Galveston was principal, IL
8 cluded much of the best school talen
| Of Texas. The attendance was large
the enrolment reaching 2S5. The teacl
ers in attendance and the instructors j
!. charge Of the work were all full OF intel
{ est and enthusiasm. Many teachers VIII
s did not enroll visited the school, spendin
in some cases three or four days, an
receiving much inspiration and encourage
y ment. 1t was my pleasure to be preser
much of the time lending all the active a.
e distance in my power, and feel absolute
ly sure that a great work was accomplish
:, ed. can not adequately express my al
, probation of the earnest able effort
: of the different members of the factlty
u the progressive spirit that induced :
many of the best among our teachers
contribute to the success OF the scno'
by their presence and earnest work an
I. harty cooperation. For fuller informs
: tion in reference to the school OF method
6 am pleased to refer you TO the very aDI
: and exhaustive report oil the Princlpa
v Dr. o.. II. Cooper, a copy OF when IS el
4 closed herewith.
@ For the regular summer normal lnsI
;. tute work the State was divided INTO y
n districts for white teachers and ~ dl
v ltricts for colored teachers. f1tty-hYe sun
= mer normal institutes for white teachel
S and IS for colored teachers were or
: lied. The institutes were divided
e 1.-TWO series: one series closed July " ar
the other series closed August ~. The