The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-16
County school Commissioners

intNAAN toNi~iNs
County school Commissioner
Nix. EDToR:-
Tie questions To bc submitted to the
taxpayers OF Crystal Falls township on
July 25th are of vital importance and
worthy Of more than u passing consider
alton The question 10 be decided
should be carefully and thoughtiully dis
cussed and considered.
The first question 20 be considered u
"Shall we have free text hooks IN the
public schools IN our township" ?" In
other words, shall we vote To compel
the school board To supply the pupils
with all the text books required IN the
OF the taxpayers Our schools are Tree
to resident scholars whether their par
ents pay taxes or not. Shall we 60
further and say that the books also
shall be free? The legislature has pro-
vided, and wisely 80, that only tnXpay-
crs shall be allowed to vote upon these
questions for they are the ones who
furnish the funds for deIraying school
expenses and should say how it shall he
expended 1t will be argued that large
per cent of these taxes are paid 10y non
resldents, why not have free text books?
1t will also be argued that by adopting
the free text book system children willat-
tend school who ot hcrwisc could not do so
because ui their inability to procure the
necessary books, this contention, how
ever, cannot be successfully maintained
| under the authority given, and the duty
/ upon the school board under the pres
! cnt law. IL would seem unjust, on the
hand. To compel those who pay taxes
here to provide books for those who ar,
e equally as nble to purchase books Ion
! their children hut have their money oi
/ property in other plnces where such q
!. Tux tx not required. Again there ar,
4 those in our township, and our town
i ship is no exception To the rule, who
Y would gladly sit idly 10y and see Others
Q provide books for mir children whei
they could easily afford to buy th
Q books themselves. IL Is trIe that ther
= nrc eases where misfortune has over
:. taken families and they cannot rcall,
u afford 10 buy the necessary books an'
y rather that submit to the humiliation
q oi asking help from the school boar'
G keep their children ut home under
y blind prctext. There are commendabl
" arguments on both sides Of the question
il and IL il therefore very essential tina
a. the subject should have careful consider
=, alton.
y 'rhe second question 10 be consldere
ii IL: "Shall we have "A uniform system c
=. text books in our schools az provide
lt for in Act No. 1913 of the public acts Z
er 1897 20 A careful reading OF this aC
st will acquaint the voter with it's merit
Nv am most heartily in favor of un
ne iormity of text books in the schools bt
must say that to my mind this act ha
NJ many bad features. In the first pla'
ks the act is the outgrowth of book pul
ks fishing companies. Secondly it place
ls. too much authority in the hands OF Il
OF commission. Thirdly the state dea
be directly with the dealers and not vii
re the consumers. liany one il entitled
ar benefits under this law it should be Il
of parents and scholars.
lie Why not vote to remain ms we "a
until better law IL enacted or Il
de present one amended so as 90 work
ily the better interests OF the schools? v
pe have good schools and the chihlre
on generally speaking, all attend. There
nothing 10 prevent our voting to cor
10 under either either oi these laws latsf
~ II we seo that they would he 10 O
mutual good, while ON tho othor han
should we vote To come under either
cs. both of these laws. we are bound
rry them and cannot change our decision.
HE The object Of this communication
Dte 10 get the people discussing these qu,
be tious 40 that they may be the bet,
ct prepared to vote intellieently ON them
lay Yours truly,
so SHERMAN +. HAM
'ro' Mn. EDnoR-
uli. sTl,o nuaattpn nf frcc toxt hnoLa Ia I.