Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-17
LOCAL TAXATION FOR
BETTER COUNTRY SCHOOLS

Considered from any rational standpoint,
they are about to settle a question that
means much not only for these two coun-
ties, but for the entire state; and 1t means
much. 1t matters not how 1t is settled. 1t
will prehgure much good If settled for To-
cal taxation; much harm, If against local
taxation. If ii is settled for local taxa
ton, 1t will mean step in the right d.
rection, progress; if against local taxa
ton, retrogression and lack of vitality.
If for local taxation, the counties them
selves will receive an educational impe-
tus that will place them in line with the
most progressive counties In the state; II
against, they will receive a backset that
will require years TO outgrow. If the for
mer, it will evidence a spirit or advance
ment becoming and laudable, and envia-
BILE; II the latter, spirit of educational
apathy and decay. If the former, these
counties will at once furnish examples
worthy of emulation; If the latter, exam
pies unworthy the imitation of any other
county. If the former, the other counties
will have object lessons of educational
thrift and advancement: IL the latter, OBJ
ject lessons that would be infinitely better
to have remained unborn, than to exist
and become instruments of annoyance and
menace in the hands of the enemies of
educational progress and development.
The rate these two counties are pre-
pairing to assume is both serious and i'm
portant. The effects growing out of the
result of these elections on the educa-
tional interest Of tho other counties of the
state, whether for veal or for woe, can
not be computed from our present stand
point. The uncertainty as to the final issue
of the campaign naturally invests the I'M
dertakIng with an atmosphere of serious
ness The certainty of the salutary results,
should the fight for local taxation sue
coed, makes the election interesting and
-. a.. hi,
watched by every one pro and con. Two
much is involved in these efforts not to
attract wide attention and enlist the keen
est interest. Too much is involved to al
low the purpose of these campaigns to be
defeated without the strongest and most
stubborn fight.
Some people are ignorant of the nature
of the proposed measure to be adopted
its purpose, its cost, its possibilities, its
promised blessings-and. If left alone. are
apt to cast their votes against local taxa
ton. Pains should be taken to have them
properly and thoroughly informed. Some
people have been misinformed about and
prejudiced against the proposed improve
ment and, unmolested, will vote against
It. They should be seen and correctly in
formed and their minds disabused Of all
prejudice. Some people. because Of a
lack of direct personal interest, will not
appreciate the Importance of their vote,
and will fail to go to the polls If other
wise engaged, or If bad day. and will
thus help to kill the measure they posi-
bly, favor These should be shown that a
vote lacking on one side means practical
ly vote on the other. Let correct infor-
nation touching the matter be dissent
mated until all the people shall appreciate
its Importance and shall desire to vote
for It because it is right and the best
thing for their counties
Let's consider some of the objections
offered by those who oppose local taxation
as means of improving the schools:
Il. They object. TO being taxed to edu-
cate the children of others"
Strange such a bitter fight should be
made against being taxed for this pur-
pose when they are Naked to build and
keep up public roads for others to travel.
to erect costly jails and courthouses in
which to incarcerate and try criminals. to
defray the general expenses of the gov
eminent for the protection and safety of
others, to build and repair bridges for the
use of others and to establish and main
tain hundreds Of other similar institutions
that are for the common good and no
protest raised. My brother. If you live in
the country and have children in school,
the taxes you pay for education, unless
you are a millionaire, viii not cover, by
half. the actual value Of the schooling and
training your children receive, estimated
on a basis Of the most conservative month
~ tuition. If you will ascertain what per
cent of the amount Of your annual taxes
goes to the public fund and determine at
the same rate at which monthly tuition
used to be paid, how many months the
same money will keep your children at a
private school, you viii begin to appre-
ciate what the state is doing for YOU
2. Taxes are too high already" Com
pute the cost OF education in dollars and
cents, If you please, and place by the side
of 1t the cost Of ignorance, crime and all
their countless attendant evils. and II il
will not convince you that education is
the cheapest thing in the world. ii will be
because prejudice has blinded you. Again,
my friend, If you will ascertain what ed
ucation has done for the world in devel-
oping its powers and resources, and set a
value opposite each and sum them up,
you will be convinced that the dollars and
cents that have been invested therein are
as nothing when compared with it's won
derful achievements.
3. THE people do not take advantage
Of the present term, why give them
more?" This objection can be set aside
with few words, by saying that statistics
fail to establish the authenticity of the
argument. The average attendance in
creased very materially when the school
term was raised from three to six months.
Is it unreasonable to suppose that at least
a proportionate increase in average at
tendance will follow the adoption Of a
nine-months' term? AS a rule, improved
facilities bring better results in attendance
as well as other things.
4. Opposed to frightening the school
term and improving the system because
of the negro
This is one OF the old arguments. and a
catchy one with the unwary. Such argu-
ments feed the passions and prejudices of
men, and should be relegated to the dark
ages where they belong. They should
find no opponents in this enlightened age
especially among the intelligent.
We will not attempt here a discussion
of the propriety or possibility of the edu-
cation of the negro, but will say this
much. He is here and. so far as we
know, is here to stay. We cannot legis-
late around him; we cannot Danish him
he is one Of the inevitables; the legisla-
ture OF this state has several times dem
onstrated an unwillingness to treat him
even apparently unjustly; and 1 suppose
he will continue with US indefinitely. No
doubt long after we have been laid away
beneath the, sod. his happy, cheerful songs
will reverberate from vale TO vale as he
merrily plows the long and weary cotton
rows that gracefully circle the hills.
He is destined to get an education. too.
1t is only a matter of time. Were all
the powers we possess directly arrayed
against his education, 1t could never be
..-sorI-- y,,fohf ha chaclrad