The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-01-09
COUNTY SUPERINrENDENTS WANT
MORE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.

Address Made BY Sspt. wilsoa Gives
Reasoss.
indianapolis journal
The County superintendent A.
sociaiion passed three important
resolutions. The association de-
clared ITSELF 10 favor Of free school
books, OF an increase Of the school
tax levy. and Of letting the school
transfer Law stand as it 10.
Superintendent George R. Viii
son, Of Dubois county, read paper
which seemed to express the senti'
lment Of the members Of the associa-
ton. Superintendent Wilson's pa.
per was q strong Argument forliberal
assistance to the country schools
from the State.
Mr.. WILSON'S ADDRESS.
.'In discussing this subject from
the standpoint OF . retention OF the
present State tuition levy as against
any reduction, we are taking an un-
popular side of the case so far as
many wealthy townships, towns,
cities and counties are concerned.
4, lie easy and popular to advocate q
reduction of tax levies, and difficult
and unpleasant to ask for an in
crease Of any tax rate, or even its
retention at it's old figures.
There arr two sides to this ques-
ton, one sof dollars and cents, .
cold, local, material view Of the
case; the other one Of the greatest
good to the greatest number, the
educating Of all little Indianians,
no matter where they live, within
the state. A reduction OF the state
tuition levy would centralize educa-
tion in the wealthy counties to the
loss and detriment OF those who live
|in less fortunate localities. Educa-
Ition is frequently mans capital,
and, like capital, its Capitalization
in wealthy counties would work
hardship upon all others.
Inkeeping with this view many
years ago the Genera! Assembly Of
Indiana enacted Law placing the
State tuition levy at 16 cents.
In 1898 an act was passed reduc
ling the levy to l31s cents, on the
ground that the reduction OF the
tuition levy should be added tc
other levies for the purpose Of re-
lducing the State debt. This was
signed BY the Governor March l,
llS93, and was the beginning Of the
reducti,n-psrhaps the beginning
Of the end OF the State tuition levy.
On March IL, 1895, another Law
was approved reducing the State
tuition levy to III cents, Upon the
same arguments. Thus with the
two great political parties honors
are even.
Let US grant that this reduction
wa. made for the reasons claimed.
| If 80. no further reduction is need.
ed; in fact, beginning might be
made toward restoring it to its old
Figures, forthe 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 rudimen,s OF . common school
education. To increase the State
levy to Is cents, or even to leave il
at ii cents. would continue to as
si-t in spreading the advantages OF
education throughout the State.
Ne are neither politician nor
statesman, but We can easily ser
that this is q question 10 which the
politician will favor q reduction,
while the broad minded, liberal cit
Iizsn, no matter where his personal
interests lie, can see the value oil
letting the State levy remain "a il
is.
Would the elimination Of this III
cen. levy be 10 keeping with tn
spirit Of the Constitution? II il is,
some other way must be devised to
meet the wants. The new way
should be in full operation bsf IRE
the present way is permitted to end
In many Of the counties Of the
State that arc placed in the lis, Of
those paying to the State are to be
fund school corporations that do
not pay what they receive; then
again, there are counties 10 Indiana
that are classed with those thst
draw more than they pay that have
school corporations that pay more
than they draw. To remedy this is
the question.
PLAN SUGGESTED.
How would this do? Lst the
State tuition levy remain at IL cts,
enact q law permitting . county
tuition tax to be distributed per
school capita in the county, said
tax not to exceed 5 cents, aud 10 be
levied in the judgment Of the