Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-12-30

ed by those opposing the present
school bond proposition is as follows:
EITHER build new ward school or
build additions to the present ward
schools.
The delegations of citizens who
waited upon the Board of Education
and who now submit the above plan
said they would be willing to support a
proposition looking to the expendi-
fare of s2O,0O0.0O IN the direction
stated, and some of these gentlemen
in personal conversation now say
they would still consent to this and
would be willing to go as high as
s25, 100000.
Just why the dead-line is fixed at
this arbitrary amount does not ap-
pear and has not been explained, and
inasmuch as such a proposition is not
before the people we will have no
means of testing their sincerity. We
presume some of them are sin cere.
At least one of the leading members
of the delegation stated to the writer,
prior to the action of the Board re-
ducing the amount asked for to
S30,000.00, that he would support the
proposition and that the writer might
assure the Board of his support.
The proposition of the Board was
read to him and he endorsed it.
His change of attitude is not easy to
understand.
These gentlemen all admit that we
need additional rooms and equipment.
They confess the urgency of the sit
uation. They do hot question the
position of the Board upon the vital
facts. These factsare too glazing to
admit contradict On, so they enter a
plea of confession and avoidance.
They say, eyes, all you say about
the needs of the schools is true, but
you want too much money. You ask
for $3O,600.O0 to build and equip a
splendid structure, one that would
fill the needs for all time, when with
economy we might enlarge the old
buildings and erect another ward
building in some. other location for
100000 or s25,OOO.OO"
These same gentlemen are men of
affairs, men of wealth, if you please,
and influence, and they pay heavy
taxes. The demands upon their
resources are great. Their resour-
ces are correspondingly great. They
all live in comfortable modern homes
luxuriously furnished, heated and
lighted. Their business Offices are
up to-date, with handsome appoint
ments. They have made their money
in this community. This community
has made them what they are. A:
they grow in wealth and their bust
ness in volume they build new Office
and buildings and fine residences
with every modern convenience ant
many luxuries and ornaments. Moth
ing is too good for them. This i
the proper spirit. We commend it
They made their money here. LIE
them spend a little of it here. L
they won't spend it on the schools le
them spend it on themselves. Any
thing to keep it IN circulation and t
build up the town.
But while these things are bein
done there are scores of our childre
now actually kept out of school 70
lack of room. There are scores Q
others trying to learn to becom
influential citizens" in the old fran
crows nest and the old paint shop
and their teachers say they can max
no progress under existing cor
ditions.
4 All admit that something must b
done. Then let US do it and let us d
it now. What shall it be? Shall W
spend 100000 or s25,01O.OO G
in patchwork and repairs, for max.
; shift accommodations, or shall W
; spend just triAe more and build
. permanent building that will be
, iov@3;& - ~. <4;c%r;o& .rI tb,< mill a