The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-02
INCREASE OF SCHOOL LEVY
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTs WANT
MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.
Address Made by Supt. Wilson Gives
Reasons Why Tax should Be
Raised-Free Textbooks.


yesterday, passed three important resolu-
tons. The association declared itself in
favor of free schoolbooks, of an increase
of the school tax levy and of letting the
school transfer law stand as it is.
The action Of the superintendent on the
free schoolbooks proposition was dis
tinct surprise. Among those who ex-
pressed some astonishment was State Su-
perintendent Frank l.. Jones. The resolu-
ton was passed after paper had been read
by Superintendent Lewis Crow, of Jay
county. Superintendent Osborne. of Union
county. then moved that it be the sense of
the association that the schoolbooks should
be furnished absolutely free. The motion
was carried with no dissenting votes.
AT the afternoon session the tax levy
| question came up for discussion and Super
intendent George r. Wilson, Of Dubois
| county, read a paper which seemed to ex-
| press the sentiment of the members of the
| association. Superintendent Wilson's paper
was strong argument for liberal assist
ance to the county schools from the State.
| Among the points made by Superintendent
Wilson were:
MR.. WILSON'S ADDRESS.
I'm discussing this subject from the
StdHupOiilt VI ItlcuuOH VI Tie pItSSul
State tuition levy as against any reduction,
we are taking unpopular side of the
case so far as many wealthy townships,
| towns, cities and counties are concerned.
1t is easy and popular to advocate reduc-
ton of tax levies and difficult and unpleas-
ant to ask for an increase or any tax rate,
or even it's retention at it's old figures.
| There are two sides to this question,
| one of dollars and cents, cold. local,
material view of the case:' the other one
| of the greatest good to the greatest num-
Der, the educating of all little Indianans,
| no matter where they live. within the
State A reduction of the State tuition
levy would centralize education in the
wealthy counties to the loss and detriment
| of those who live In less fortunate local.
| tiles Education is frequently a mans cap
| ital, and, like capital, Its Capitalization In
| wealthy counties would work q hardship
| upon all others.
I'm keeping with this section many years
| ago the General Assembly of Indiana en-
acted a law placing the State tuition levy
| at l6 cents.
'In 1893 an act was passed reducing the
| levy to 1874 cents, on the ground that the
| reduction of the tuition levy should be
added to other levies for the purpose of
| reducing the State debt. This was signed
by the Governor March l, 1893, and was
the beginning of the end of the State tut
ton levy On March IL, 1895, another law
| was approved reducing the State tuition
levy to IL cents. upon the same arguments.
Thus with the two great political parties
Let us grant that this reduction was
made for the reasons claimed. If so, no
| further reduction is needed; in fact, be-
| ginning might be made toward restoring
1t to its old figures, for the powers that be
point with pride and hail with delight
| the reduction of Indiana's State debt, but
neither of the political parties ever refer
with mingled pride and pleasure to their
| record in reducing the chances of many
children in Indiana of getting even the
rudiments of a common school education.
To increase the State levy to 16 cents, or
even TO leave IL at IL cents, would con-
tinue to assist in spreading the advantages
of education throughout the State. We are
neither a politician nor statesman, but
We can easily see that this is a question
ton. while the broad-minded liberal citi-
zen, no matter where his personal inter
ests lie, can the value of letting the
State levy remain as II is.
Would the elimination of this II cents
levy be in Keeping with the spirit of the
Constitution? If 1T is, some other way must
be devised to meet the wants. The new
way should be in full operation before the
present way is permitted to end. In many
of the counties of the State that are placed
in the list of those paying to the State are
to be found school corporations that dc
not pay what they receive; then. again
there are counties in Indiana that are
classed with those that draw more thar
they pay that have school corporations
that pay more than they draw. To remedy
this is the question.
PLAN SUGGESTED.
How would this do? Let the State tut
ton levy remain at II cents, enact Law
permitting county tuition tax to be dis
tributed per school capita in the county
said tax not to exceed cents and to b,
levied in the judgment of the County Coun
ell or County Board of Education. the pres
ent local township or corporation tuition
tax law to remain as it is.
LAS a general statement we may say
counties that pay the State more than they
draw are such counties that, by reason o.
their location, are crossed and recrosset
terests. At first blush the citizens per
sonally may claim credit for taxes pait
when in truth and in fact the corporate
per cent Of the taxes. Take for example
, the Big Four Railroad system in Indiana
1t touches one-third of all the counties o
the State. and two-thirds of all it touche
, pay to the State more than they draw
, Nearly every county in Indiana that ha
, an important railroad. center pays NOR
to the State than it draws out. Does
not appear that it is not so much the in
, dividual taxpayer as the railroads and othe
kindred corporations that put the count.
in it's present position class? Now, then
, could that county alone support or sustain
> the railroads within it's boundaries, or
not the whole State necessary to their YER
life and existence?
ITO reduce the State tuition levy mean
| to place the levying of school taxes int
, the hands of local officials, for severa
4 reasons not always a safe place in whic
to leave it. 1t would please many of on
railroads and other heavy taxpayers to Il
this, for they would be relieved of a posi-
tive tax levy and can use their goo
graces and gentle manners in solicitin
D the reduction of local rates.
For example, If the State levy is reduce
t / cent, the same amount of money may
: raised locally by a local tax levy of l cen
If the property valuation averages wit
the State. If the property valuation
k more the levy must be less; IL the propert
valuation is less the local levy must
9 more.
: when the taxing power is in the hand
f schools will suffer. The local power ma
4 be surrounded by taxpayers under whol
: they fear to place rate sufficiently hig
h to meet the needs of the school. To length
e en- the school terms the poorest and cheaI
d est teachers would be employed and III
r schools go down.
v THE great State of Indiana SAYS: Hel
is a course of study for your commo
: schools-you shall follow 1t. Here are que:
i tons for pupils and common school graz
yates examinations-you shall answ,
them. Here are questions testing teacher
ability-you shall answer them and r
others, or fail TO teach. Here are tex
s. books for your common schools-you sha
10 use these and no others. Here are Law
for truant children-you shall not viola
them. Here is a scale of teachers wag,
YOU shall not pay less. Here are the nun
Der of days schools shall be in session-yo
shall not teach fewer. Here is the lin
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