The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-09-10

taxation a the same time. This low tax
rate is in particular contrast to the
surrounding states. In Illinois. the tax
rate In 1903 was So cents, 50 cents Of
this going to the state revenue fund
and two cents 10 the public school
fund. In Iowa the tax rate last year
for state purposes was IS cents, 30 OF
which wa for state revenue and I'VE
cents for the public schools. In Kan
sas the tax rate this year is 50 cents,
so cents being for state revenue and
two cents for schools. In Nebraska,
the rate is 60 cents, as OF which is for
revenue and Is for public schools. In
Missouri the rate is 10 cents for state
purposes and seven for schools. These
figures should be especially interesting
to the newly acquired and welcome
citizens that have come to Missouri
from other states to cast their lots
with us.
In connection with the subject Of
taxation it is worthy Of mention that
under Republican rule in Missouri the
railroads paid no taxes at all; they
now pay taxes on assessed valuations
of over $50, OOO. 900.
PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
The p~enitentiary, where those who
violate the laws Of the state are con-
fined, instead Of costing the state a
quarter of a million dollars a year, as
it did thirty years ago, is now self
sustaining. Under the management Of
the Democratic party a strict account
is kept Of all expense and the waste
and profigacy of other years is now
of the past.
Boys under the age Of eighteen
years, who commit crimes, are placed
in the reform school at Boonville, a
magnificent institution, where they are
taught some trade, amid moral sur
roundings and wholesome influences.
Many of these children of misfortune
grow up under the training they re-
ceive, to be useful citizens.
The Industrial Home for Girls at
C~hlllicothe is a state institution, where
female violators of the law Of tender
years are sent to be educated back to
moral ways and useful lives. This In
stitution 10 likewise a credit to the
state.
EDUCATION.
The public school system Of Missouri
should be the pride Of every Missouri
an. School houses dot the valleys and
crown the hills from one end Of the
state TO the other. Every child can
drink OF the fountain Of knowledge
freely.
The Democratic party has Endorsed
the constitutional amendment to be
voted upon at the next election, where
by text books will be provided to the
children without cost. After a child
has obtained a COMMON school educa-
ton at one Of the public schools, the
state offers him free Of charge a uni
versity education at the Columbia Mis-
souri, university. This is one Of the
greatest institutions Of learning in the
country, with grounds and buildings Of
unequalled beauty and a faculty ex-
celled by none.
The normal schools at Warrensburg,
Kirksville and Cape Girardeau train
young men and women for teachers at
the states expense. The School Of
Mines at Rolla provides by the state
an opportunity for boys to obtain a
scientific education. The Lincoln In
stitute at jefferson City gives to the
colored citizens of the state a higher
education. This likewise is at the
states expense. All of these institu-
tions of learning would be a credit to
any commonwealth.
Instead Of throwing the races togeth-
e. in mixed schools, Missouri sduca'es
she colered youth better than Repub-
lican states and does 1t without min
Cling the races.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The Home for Epileptie and Feeble
Minded at Marshall provides a place
where these u~nfortunates are cared fol
by the state in the most humane man
ner. In the deaf and dumb asylum a
Fulton, and blind asylum at st. Louis
those, who were in olden times though
to be under a curse Of Heaven, arr
taken care of by the state. The in
sane asylum at Pennington, Fulton
st. Joseph and Nevada provide for thu
mentally deranged in the most en-
lightened way. These asylum arr
equal to those Of any state.
The old confederate soldiers ar,
cared for in a state home at Higgins
vile, while the old federal soldier
have a home at st. James. Thus, Mis-
souri, is impartially looking AFTER tn,
survivors Of those who wore the gra.
as well as those who wore the blue.
To build, equip and maintain all O
these splendid institutions has cost tn
state Of Missouri millions Of dollars
There is no money better spent and n
good citizen will begrudge It, If ap
piled economically for the purposes in
tended.
When 1t Is remembered that most G
+basa i~natitutiona were built and a