The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-01-12

local levy. Social and economic con-
siderations are largely determining
elements as to which is the better
plan. Where wealth is pretty evenly
distributed the local tax should con-
tribute the larger share of the reve-
nues, and where such conditions do
not exist the state levy should con-
tribute relatively more. In either
case. this fact is coming to be recog-
nized as true by the best thinkers
among school men, that the ordinary
school district is an unsatisfactory
taxing unit. within certain limits
the largert this unit the more equa-
bic and adequate is the provision
made for the local school
Were / called upon to amend Sec
tion of article IA of the constitu-
ton ! should strike out the two-mill
provision and insert the words which
shall never be less than 20 per cent of
the state revenues exclusive of the in
terest and sinking fund, to be applied
annually The poll-tax provision
should stand, though the law should
require a more rigid collections; so
that instead of revenue of only 49,
900 annually from this source. we
should be receiving over 100000. In
stead of the general assembly's au-
thorizing taxing units to levy tax
not to exceed mills, l would amend
as follows: "The general assembly
may, by general law. authorize school
directors Tor the county court) to
make an annual levy not to exceed
four mills on the dollar in any one
year for school purposes; provided,
the aforesaid annual rate may be in
creased in special districts for an
amount not to exceed 10 mills on the
dollar, and in other districts not to
exceed Z mills on the dollar, on con-
dItion that majority of the voters
who are taxpayers on real or person
al property may vote for said in
crease. For the purpose of erecting
school buildings the rate of taxation
herein limited may be increased by a
two-thirds majority vote of taxpay-
ers voting for the same, the rate be-
ing restricted by such safe and
wholesome provisions as the legisla-
ture may deem wise
"These are about all the constitu-
tional changes l would suggest, un-
less the additional one of making it
obligatory upon the legislature to set
aside annually for the support of the
state university a certain percentage
of the state revenues exclusive of in
terest and sinking fund. l shall not
digress upon this matter further
than to say that it is only in this way
that the revenues for this institution
became an absolute certainty, in
creasing as the wealth and popula-
tion of the state increased, thus fur
nishing adequate means to meet the
growing demands of an institution in
which every citizen should take a pa
triotic pride.
"It will be observed that at present
the ratio of state support to local
support is approximately as 1 to
2 IL. Under the amendment suggest
ed the state support would be not
quite doubled. The legislature may
at any time, if the condition of state
revenues should justify, increase this
amount, thus giving needed fexi-
bility to meet this possible contin-
|
made arbitrary, thus insuring provis-
ion for limited support in communi-
ties where educational sentiment is
at a low ebb. But every district is
given power by a majority of tax
payers to vote such a rate as when
supplemented with a larger state
fund, will adequately support an effi-
cient school of respectable length of
term.
81 am not unaware of the conten-
ton raised on the part of certain
counties when the question of in
creased school revenues is raised.
This objection originates in the fear
of over-taxation py an ignorant body
electors who own little property, but
who, by reason of numbers, can out
vote the educated property-holders
upon whom the burden of taxation
falls. But let me ask in all candor,
shall the whole states educational
uplifting be hampered and prevented
by reason of the fact that in fifteen
counties out of the seventy-five there
happens to exist this condition, and
when, too, in at least hal of these,
anu SOHetluleS more, UHe educated
taxpayer controls everything per-
tanning to tax levy? We have this
mass of ignorance like cancerous
ulcer upon the body polite. We
cannot cure it save through means
which alone in all the worlds history
have proved efficacious. The only
possible redemption lies in moral and
intellectual enlightenment, and for
this they must look higher than
themselves. l am sure remedies of a
legal and humane character can be
found to prevent injustice being done
those who bear the burdens of tax
alton and those who reap where they
have not sown. All taxes, botn state
and local, rest upon the theory that,
in democratic government at least,
all men are possessed of the same
rights to its protection and enjoy
ment. A tax paid for the support of
schools is the best life insurance a