River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-07-27

A. P.'Forsyth, of this city, Fred Sew
erance of Beldenville, and Hon. d. w.
Woodwork, DIR. E. r. Halliday, f. W.
Bundy and A. ID. Hoffman of Els
worth, went to Menomonie Tuesday
to witness the construction of a mod
el road under the patronage of Hon.
James II. Stout.
G. E. Bern and wife of Waverly, Ia,
who visited with the families of A. #.
Moody and Peter Paulson of this city
two weeks prior to their going to FL
Paso for ten days visit to her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs Isaacson, returned
to this city yesterday to remain till
Monday when they leave for home.
Fred Peterson has resigned as oper-
ator of the Omaha Company here and
accepted position as book keeper in
the Shaw Tannery Co. at Phillips.
He left for his new field Of labors
yesterday. The people of River Falls
will regret TO lose Fred from the So
cial relationships and business activi-
ties of the community. He was born
and raised here, studied in the Public
Schools and for long time he was
employed at the Omaha depot
where by his uniform courtesy and
business tact his conduct has
brought universal commentator As
the quiet, transformations gentleman
with kindly disposition and consider
ate regard he has won place in the
hearts of the people Of this city. We
need a host of such worthy young men
among us and while we commend him
to the confidence and friendship Of
the good people of his new home we
do not take kindly to his departure
from among US.
The Public School and Taxes.
The question Of increased taxes is
one of vital interest. We often hear
people speak in criticism of high tax
es, but the criticism is always directed
against the apparent misapplication
OF appropriations-the want Of econ
y-wastefulness. Gov. Scofield,
cognizant of the facts, says that taxes
have increased in much larger pro-
portion than population. Institu-
tions are constantly calling for larger
appropriations; officials are invariably
demanding higher salaries. The
question of retrenchment, of cutting
down. is unpopular with the ''ins'-
with those who benefit individually
from the money as appropriated for
salaries, and those who manage pub
lie institutions are influenced with
constant and persistent application
for increased appropriations for in
creasing necessities.
Rightly, the most popular of all
public institutions, are the public
schools. Seldom is there ever any
remonstrance against application for
funds for the successful operation of
schools. The people believe the d.
rectors will manage the affairs Of pub
lie education with judgment and
economy-and ask for no more mon
| ely than the successful conduct of the
schools demand. The board are sup
posed to establish schedule Of sala-
ries and elect to positions In accord
| ance with the demands of the service
| to be done, exercising business sagac-
ity, keeping in view judicious princi-
| pies of public economy.
1t will be Of interest TO recall the
increasing needs Of the public school
as the population has increased for the
past ten years. The direct taxes
voted by the people at the annual
school meeting, were as followes:
From and including 1887 to 1890 the
| annual tax was $780, In 1891 the adj
dition was made, costing, with fur
naces and furnishings, $4,000. The
board used $1,000 which the district
| had on hand, raised $1,000 of the bal
ance in that year-1S91, and $1,000 and
interest ia '92 and the remaining $1,000
and interest in '93. The tax for 81
including the $1,000 for building, was
| $4,000. In 1872 it was $4,000, and in '9S
$4,000. This year left the district out
of debt. In '94 the tax was $4,000 and
| the same amount was raised in '95.
In '96 $4700 was voted, in '97 $4,000,
in 'eS $4,000, in go $6270, which does
not include the appropriation for the
additional rooms.
| 1t will be matter Of curiosity tC
| observe the fluctuation of the annual
expense for the principal item in the
school conomy--teachers wages, at
tentlon being called to the fact that
the number Of teachers has increased.
From 1889 to 1899 the sum paid fol-
the consecutive years was: $4,000, $500
$3417, $3735, $4,000, 5000, 5000, 1920,
$4535, $4735, $4s82.50. The board
stated at the last annual meeting
| that the wages of the teachers for the
en- suing year would be $51g2.50.
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