Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-07-03
THE LAST APPEAL.

HledIlS 10 secure SlgnefS W UIclI pcUl-
tions at the same time the persons
offering this insult have not the cOur-
age to point out definitely the objec-
tionable means used nor the persons
using them.
Enemies of the school condemn the
petition method. That is only be-
cause they condemn the school, itself,
and seek to defeat it by talk of an
election and by making cowardly
charges which they cannot sustain
and which are entirely unfounded.
They would condemn any method
likely to bring success.
Friends of the school are advised to
wait until the general fall election
and then submit the question to the
people. This means poStpOnement
for year and almost inevitable de-
feat. Propositions attached to gen.
eral election ballots are almost always
defeated for the simple reason that
they are overlooked by voters and no
expression of their wishes is recorded.
| have been resident of Kansas
nearly twenty years. In that time
many propositions have been submit
ted, but l can recall but one that was
adopted and after this popular en-
dorsement it was threatened and con-
tinueS to be threatened by litigation.
Further more, every two years it is
forced to run the gauntlet of ignor-
ance and vice. The county high
school must meet the same opposition
mainly from the same source.
Section of the county high school
law provides but two ways in which
such school may be established. First,
by petitions ''signed by majority of
the electors of the county," Second,
by IAN election held in such county
for the purpose of voting upon the
question" In either case every voter
must be counted for or against the
school.
1t is thus seen that this question
cannot be submitted at d general
fall election" 1t will require spec
ial election ''held for the purpose >
Such an election, from careful calcu-
lations, will cost the county about
$500 in fees of officials besides the
time required of voters in going to
and from the polls.
This would not reduce taxation nor
the cost of the school. Neither would
it prevent litigation unless the school
is defeated. The enemies of educa-
tion who would attack our school sys-
tenn in the courts will do so regardless
of the way the school is secured.
L would remind the opponents of
the school that some of its friends
litigation and that it terminated sat
isfactorily and successfully for them
although taken to the supreme court.
Threats of litigation are made only
for the purpose of defeating the
school and should brighten no one.
The voter who refuses to sign pc
titiOn when presented to him at his
home will not travel eight or ten
miles to attend special election in
the busy season, especially when he
knows that his vote is cast against it
by simply staying at home. Such
voters have no use for an election on
this question except to keep them
selves and neighbors away from it.
If the enemies of the school want
to vote for it why do they not ask the
commissioners to call an election for
the purpose of voting upon the ques-
tion?
ut is said that the time is too linn
iteo to discuss the matter and for that
reason people can not act Intelligent
ly. Let us see. The law was pub
lished in several papers of general
circulation last March. 1t was pub
lished in both county papers about
two months ago. 1t was published
again in both three weeks ago. Copies
of the law and the proposition to es
tablish a county high school were sent
in circular form to all district officer.
and teachers as well as many others
at that time. The session laws were
distributed a month ago. The petit
tionS have been before the people
three weeks. All this talk of NOR,
time and of an election is made fo
the purpose of deception with the al
terror object of defeating the Schoo