The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-17
RAVALLl COUNTY.
Decision Will Work Hardship on the
District.

Decision Will Work q Hardship on the
District.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Hamilton, Oct. 16-The Standard cor
respondent had talk to-day with most
Of the members of the Hamilton school
board relative to the effect in this
county and district of the recent de-
cision of the supreme court in the
school tax case Miss Million, county
superintendent is at her home in the
country and so could not be reached.
but it is understood that her views in
the matter correspond with those given
below.
Mayor McCrackin, who is member
of the local school board, is of the
opinion that the decision will work
hardship on this district and others in
the county 1t Is true that here and at
Stevensville there has been manifested
a disposition by a great many of the
taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to
the district fund the amount which
they would have had to pay under the
special levy voted in the districts, but
many others will avail themselves of
the opportunity presented by the decis-
ion to refuse. So. while many will pay,
such mode of raising money will be
in a measure unsatisfactory, in that
part OF the taxpayers will be simply
putting up for the benefit of all. and in
any case the terms will have to be
shortened Another phase of the case
Is that in the school districts the teach
ers have been engaged for a specified
term, and even if the terms are short
ened through the action of the supreme
court, it is a question that would be
most likely decided in the affirmative
whether or not said teachers cannot
compel the payment of salaries for the
full term. Mr.. McCrackin is emphatic
ally in favor of special session Of the
legislature to be held at once. taking
the ground that the assembly has made
the mistake and ought to rectify it. As
to the cost, that would fall so lightly
upon the taxpayers of the state that
they would not individually realize it.
Certainly this county would not. Mr..
McCrackin's views voice the sentiments
of the other members of the board seen.
r. A. O'Hara, clerk of the board, be-
lieves that special session is the only
practical way out of the difficulty.
While he is confident that many in this
district, and in others In the county.
will donate their special tax, vet 1t IS
an uncertain method and one not to be
reliably depended upon. He believes
that the people of the state would
cheerfully acquiesce in the small cost
of short session IL thereby the result
would be to the benefit of the schools.
for If there is anything the people of
Montana are willing to pay for 1t Is for
the education of their children. He IS
in favor of a session and the passage
of retroactive law or one to permit
a levy to be made before the present
school terms close, and a special levy
each year hereafter at the proper time.
Talks with other citizens emphasize
the willingness of Ravalli county to
pay her proportion of the expense of an
extra session, If by such the schools
may be kept open. Superintendent Nc
Kay of the city schools is fatty in favor
of special session. and believes, that
it is the only solution Of the present d.
lemma.