The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-11
RALEIGH CANNOT AFFORD TO
LEAD IN A REACTIONARY
POLICY.

Brief allusion was made yesterday morn
ing to the wholly unexpected action of
the Wake BcSrd of Commissioners reduc-
ing the tax rate for the Raleigh graded
schools. The action came without a word
of warning like a clap of thunder from
clear sky We believe it is Illegal and
cannot stand But If the board had the
right, it was an action that meets with
the disapproval of the overwhelming ma
jority of the people of Raleigh. They wei
come tax reduction at any point except
where it touches the education of their
children.
The act authorizing the establishment
of the Raleigh graded schools was ratified
March II, 1877. 1t authorized a special tax
not to exceed ten cents on the one hum
dred dollars of property and thirty cents
on the poll. 1t provided that the school
committee of the township should fix
salaries, etc.
The question as to whether the tax
should be levied for the space of two
years was submitted to the people OF
Raleigh township and on May Z, 1877, the
proposition was approved by the people
by vote of 1,195 against SO, and the
tax was duly levied.
The question as to whether the tax
should be levied for the space of two
more years was submitted to the people
in May, 1879, and was carried by vote
of 974 to 81.
The question was submitted to the PEG
pie for the third time, May, 1881, and was
carried by a vote of $50 to 46. In the
order of the Board of Commissioners
however, for the third election, it was
provided that the people should vote,
not for a period of two years as formerly
but for an annual tax. The tickets read:
For Tor againstl an annual tax of one
tenth of one per cent on property and
thirty cents on each poll for the support
of Graded Public Schools" A day or two
after this, May 4, 1881, it was ordered
that the clerk be directed in making out
the tax list of said township to enter IN
the proper column thereof the special tax
so authorized to be levied. The right of
the commissioners to reduce this levy has
never been advanced until within the
past few days.
In 1889 (chapter 500 the General As
mbly authorized vote to increase the
special graded school tax by ten cents on
the one hundred dollars valuation. The
beginning of section L reads as follows:
"That for the purpose of increasing the
annual tax for the support of the graded
schools of Raleigh township in the coun-
ty of Wake, as now provided by law,
the Board of Aldermen of the City OF
Raleigh may apply to the Board of Coun-
ty Commissioners of Wake asking that
an additional tax of ten Q0) cents on
one hundred dollars of property and thir-
ty cents on the poll be annually levied
and collected" This question was duly
submitted to the people and was carried
the reduction of the tax rate do not
claim that the County Commissioners
have any power to reduce the rate pro-
yided for under the act of 1889, contend
ing that their power is confined to the
act of 1877, under which the full amount
authorized has been levied continuously
for the period of twenty-five years.
Under an act of the General Assembly
Of 1897, vote was therein authorized
upon the question of issuing $4,000 OF
bonds for school buildings, etc., and an
extra tax not to exceed six cents on the
500 valuation was authorized to pay the
interest on these bonds and provide fol
a sinking fund. If it should appear that
a reduction can be made In this levy
without endangering the payment O
interest and providing sinking fund
there cannot possibly be any objection
thereto in law or in reason, but to re
duce the tax rate authorized by the peo-
pie at the polls again and again for the
running expenses of the schools is not
only unauthorized by law but suicidal. Ii
this hour of educational activity all ovel
the State, Raleigh, the capital, cannot af