The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1903-01-21

In view of the fact that the question
of Incorporating certain portions o
Terrell county into school districts Il
b.ing discussed with the idea OF adop
ton, it is we'll that the general pubic
should have some information as tC
the merits of this system as applicable
10 rural districts. The communities
which are thinking of being incorpo'
rated into such districts are Parrott,
Brentwood, Graves and Sasser.
The state of Georgia pays more to Its
schools by direct appropriation than
anv state outside of New England ;
still we are able to run our schools
only six months in the year, and our
teachers are poorly paid. 1t is true
that in Terrell county our school
property is being gradually improved,
and for this various communities are
responsible, but the value and style
of the school house, or the inadequacY
of Its equipment bnt emphasizes the
poverty of that community which con-
tents itself with anything less than
the best school taught and managed
bv the best teacher available. Such
school is a valuable asset, affecting IL
a marked degree the property values
in the community where located. 10
have this we must have more money.
The state has gone just as lar as IL
will 90 IN all probability, so the nome
folks must do the rest.
The towns of BronwOod and oasser
have taken a step forward IN obtaining
legislation whereby they are able 10
appropriate 10 their schools the In
come derived from their local dispen-
saries. But this does not go far
enough. and at best is possibly tenn
norarv and uncertain. The solution
lies in incorporation. BY this means
a permanent administrative body Is
obtained that has the power, the ways
and means, whereby such schools may
be established and maintained as ale
now being demanded.
This administrative body should be
composed of five or seven trustees
elected for terms of four years Ihls
board should have com mon seal ana
perpetual succession, power OF al
torney and authority to own and con,
troll, to buy and sell real estate aid
personal property for school purposes,
and jurisdiction over the territory in
corporated. This territory in rural
districts is usually about six square
miles, but may be more or less. Inc
powers above stated would, of course,
carry with them the authority 10
elect teach ers, fix their salaries, and
to provide rules and regulations gov
erning the schools. In short, this is
the same system as now exists in the
municipality of Dawson, but would De
extended over a wider territory. I'm
der this plan the community lncorpo-
rated would receive its pro rata snare
of the school fund apportioned to the
county, which sum would be paid TO
the treasurer OF the local board OF
trustees. At such time, annually, as
this local board should see ut they
should meet and determine the amount
of money necessary to defray the eX-
penses of their schools during the
scholastic year; then through their
officers they could levy and collect
such part of said amount as may be
necessary. This should be done In
the same manner as municipal taxes
are now levied and collected. The
receipts and disbursements OF this board
should be published annually for the
information of the community.
The foregoing, in general, indicate
the power and duty Of a board OF
trustees in an incorporated district,
which power, especially that OF taxa
ton, ca1 exercised by them only after
the passage of the act by the general
assembly and Its approval at the polls
by two-thirds of the qualified voters
resident within the district TO be in
corporated, at an election called for
that purpose.
Now the chief OBJ ection to incorpo~
ration lies in the power to levy tax
for school purposes, which power, 1T l.
urged, might be used oppressively.
This objection, however, would be
overcome By fixing the maximum rate
of taxation by law. Again, it is urged
that the negro would pay but small
part, if any, of the local tax, and on
the other hand would re ceive large
part of the benefit. You can easily
risk the Judgment of any i've or
seven men in your community IN the
disposal of the funds raised by taxation
for school purposes, and you will be
satisfied with the result, so far as the
negro is concerned.
Suppose, for instance, you have one
school in an incorporated district; that
in this district the property returned