Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-18
AN IMPORTANT ELECTION.


There appears TO be much apathy
and very little interest over the cleo
ton which is to take place in this city
on Saturday, Jan. Goth. There seems
also to be misunderstanding In rela-
ton 10 It, on the part Of the COMPARE
lively few people who are concerned as
to rs results. The impression prevails
among them that the election Is to de-
eide whether the Board OF Education
may issue new bonds, for the purpose
Of obtaining funds to carry on the dis
triot schools TO the end Of the current
term.
Whatever IS the purpose for which
the election is called. II should be a
matter Of concern to every taxpayer
in the city 1t is Of Importance also to
every parent having children OF school
age. All who have the right to vote
should certainly go to the polls ON Sat
urday and cast their ballots according
10 their respective views on the sub
feet to be decided. That they may do
80 inteligently, II will be necessary for
them TO understand the exact situation
and what the election will decide.
The Board Of Education have found
that the funds al their command VIII
not suffice to pay the expenses OF the
public schools, to the full end OF the
present semester. In order to continue
them for the proper time, about $4,000
win be needed 1t is proposed 70 bor-
row that amount. Il can be obtained
without interest But authority to
make the loan must be given to the
Board by the taxpayers. in the man
ner provided ~ law. No bonds are to
be issued.
How Is the debt to be Daidf II is
expected that with the increased yalua-
ton of property in this city, enough
money will be at the disposition OF the
Board in the next year or two to dis
charge the indebtedness without In
creasing the tax rate. OF course the fu-
ture will determine this. The money
viii have to come out Of the taxes IN
any event, but the Board takes the
ground that this can be done without
further bonds and without higher taxes,
The schools having been already
closed for two weeks longer than
the ordinary vacation. II the necessary
funds are not forthcoming through
the proposed loan, loss Of about five
weeks win be entailed in the work Of
the schools, as they will have to be
closed about three weeks earlier than
the end Of the term. This will serious
ly interfere with the school course, with
the matter OF promotions, and with
other educational affairs under the
regulations that have been adopted.
Without taking space to 20 into detail
on these points, It viii easily be per-
ceiyed that gap Of five weeks In the
oourses OF study prepared for the
schools win seriously interfere with
the operations Of the system.
Now, II Is for the taxpayers OF this
city to decide whether the schools are
to be continued to the full end OF the
term, OF whether they shall be closed
before It is out. The question 20 be
decided by vote on Saturday is, shall
the Board Of Education be authorized
to borrow $4,000 for the purpose ex-
planned or notY All who want the
schools continued for the regulation
time should vote Yes" those who do
not want the necessary money bor-
rowed should vote NO 1t is a mo-
mentous question, and each citizen
should cast a ballot one way or the
other. Let every man be persuaded in
his own mind Look the matter over
carefully and decide according to the
best Interests Of the community and
the cause Of education, which Is Of the
utmost importance.