Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-04
Eyes" OR "No"Y

The Board Of Education has ilxeC
,he time for special election, for tn
purpose Of deciding whether that bod,
shall borrow the sum Of $4,000, to pas
for continuing the district schools II
this city until the close OF the term
that is. untll the end OF May. April
is, from In the morning until Z In the
evening, Is the time decided upon. Only
one polling place in each precinct will
be needed
The hoard might have reached this
conclusion long ago IL the majority had
been open to suggestions as to the re-
oulrements Of the law. II was clearly
pointed out that the only legal way TO
reach what was desired, was TO sub
nit the question to the votes OF the
taxpayers But that was strongly OPP
posed and endeayors were made to get
around the proposition and obtain In
creased taxing power,
II was argued then, but without much
effect upon the board, that the in
creased tax, II made lawful could not
be rendered available for this school
years uses, The plan to obtain per-
manent authority to levy a seven mills
tax fell through, But the Legislature
passed bill for the demanded increase
for one year only, with an extra per-
manent building tax OF half mill an
nually, and this was signed by the
Governor But with this measure Of
success, the board found itself In the
same position as before as to obtaining
present available funds,
Again the law was cited as 20 the
way to obtain authority TO borrow the
money. But the board thought the loan
could be effected without an election,
and succeeded In getting an authorita.
tive legal opinion to support that view.
Other lawyers, however. OF learning and
experience construed the statute diff
ferently, and the board at length came
TO the point Indicated by Mr.. Geoghe-
gan at the first, and the special cleo
ton has at last been called.
Now we desire to Impress upon the
taxpayers Of this city, that notwith.
standing the disputes that have arisen
over this simple matter, the loan has
to be made or the schools VIII have TO
be closed, and In either case the tax
VIII cut no figure, except as an assur.
ance that the money can be
repaid. That seven mills tax NAV be
levied under the recent law for one
year, whether the money Is borrowed
or not The election Is not on the cues
ton OF an increased tax. but this.
shall the Board OF Education be given
power to borrow $4,000. to be used in
maintaining the city schools for the last
half Of April ana the whole Of the
month of May?' The money is secured
by the tax that can be levied under the
new law.
Everybody who wants the schools TO
be continued for the full term viii vote
YES on this proposition, We believe
the majority OF the taxpayers will de.
eide In It's favor Il would be a calamity
to close the schools In the middle OF
this month Unless the needful funds
are borrowed they cannot be kept open
longer. This win be wrong, both upon
the pupils whose Advancement win be
greatly hindered, and upon the teachers
who, when engaged expected to serve
for the full regular school term.
The mismanagement Of the past by
which increased expenditures were
made when a deficiency was In sight,
though very much to be deplored, cuts
no figure In the question to be decided
by the election. The present school
board is not In the fault. The situation
Is before us, The school funds are eK-
hausted. The needful money must be
borrowed or the schools must be closed
The prospect OF sufficient for all neces-
Sary purposes next year Is excellent.