Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-24
THE soHooL.TAx QUESTION,

The SCHOOLrTAA QUESIlON'
The dispute between the Board OF
Education Of this city and some proml-
nent citizens, on the subject Of the
school tax limit. should not provoke
III feelings or reflect in any way upon
the integrity or the ability OF the school
board. Figures have been cited on both
sides which are TO some extent mlslead-
ing We do not impute improper mo-
tiyes IN either case; we merely mention
the facts
The board Of governors of the Com
inerclal Club adopted the report of the
committee, appointed to Investigate the
financial aspect of the plea for more
funds, presented to the Legislature in
behalf Of the Board OF Education The
conclusion reached was, that instead
Of a deficit there would be surplus
Of money for city school purposes. and
that, anyhow, there was no need to
raise the tax limit from five and half
to seven mills. Taking the figures as
formulated by that committee, we
shared In the views Of the club as
represented by the governors,
Then the Board OF Education pre-
scented another set Of figures, showing
mistakes and omissions in the club
committees report, ana establishing
the claim that there would be deficit
instead of surplus. We published
that as well as the other report, and
also letter from one OF the members
OF the school board. The News has
presented both sides Of the contention
in all its public phases, with a prepon-
derance, II anything Of statements on
the side Of the Board Of Education.
But this paper has not been and Is
not, now In favor OF raising the tax
limit. This Is not on the ground that
the Board OF Education has done any
thing improper or intends to do any
thing wrong, or that It is incompetent,
or open to blame in any particular,
It is solely on the ground Of the in
Justice and oppression Of the poor tax
payers, involved In the leyying Of heav-
Ter burdens upon them than those they
are now compelled TO bear and which
In numerous Instances have gone be-
yond the limit OF endurance and ca
pacity TO meet.
There is one point, however. In the
estimates furnished by the school
board IN support Of their plea for
more money, and that Is they are
made on the basis OF ten months
term, while for the past eight years
at least the term has been but nine
months. That is why we used the
word misleading" in reference to the
school board figures as well as those
OF the club committee, without oharg-
ing any intent to misrepresent II
may be argued that deductlng holidays
the term would not reach actually ten
months. But that does not alter the
fact, for the same holidays have been
had under the nine months term
Now, we maintain our position that
al present, "well enough can be 'let
alone" Let the school board cut It's
garment according to the cloth fur
nished. II It will not make suit on
the design In view, let Il be made to the
extent possible with the stun obtain
able. We have done very well with
the nine months term for several years,
and there are many reasons TO be offered
why II is long enough considering oil
things IN this locality. But never mind
about that. We are opposed TO an in
crease Of taxation. because OF the in
ability Of the poor property-holders'
who are very numerous, to find the
money TO pay It,
Look at the delinquent tax list Tor
1901, Watch the sales OF property for
taxes that will epsue Hear the cries
Of the struggling householders who
protest against further taxation' Then
look at the schools we have and may
continue 10 have without any extra
levy and say why the masses shall be
oppressed for the purpose OF carrying
out the wishes Of the educators who,
very properly perhaps, want 20 push
the cause TO higher levels. We can af-
ford to wait for further improvements
until we are financially able to make
them. We are not down IN the mire on
this matter, but on very good plane,
and can move along without material
injury 10 anyone or anything.
No one wants education to retrograde
There Is no occasion FOR such a move
inent. Nor Is there necessity Of running
faster than we have strength TO main
tain the pace. We need not go wild on
that subject more than on any other.
The tax-raisers clamor from the stand
point Of expediency; We stand up for
the cause Of necessity Let the tax
limit stand for the present. II Is d local
question, let It be settled locally, with
out legislation against the protest OF
the great majority Of the taxpayers OF
this city.
-----------------