Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-10-25
STUART SCORES IN
SCHOOL TAX ISSUE
Would Further Relieve Local Taxa
ton Burdens From State
Revenues.
is A POPULAR PROPOSITION
Pennsylvania Has Been Most LIBERAL
In General Appropriations For Edu-
cationaI Purposes.

legislation to abolish local taxation for
public school purposes and in favor of
giving greater state aid for the build
ing Of good roads and for charitable
purposes, have met with popular favor.
His statement made in Jefferson
county that he is opposed to the car
rying of large surplus in the state
treasury has also resulted in expires
sions of approval in many quarters.
Candidate Stuart's views regarding
the school tax are especially pleasing
to the members of the Pennsylvania
State Association for the Abolition OF
the School Tax.
Theodore P. Rynder, secretary of
this organization, says:
I'VE have an organization extend
ing over the state having for its pur-
pose the abolition of the school tax
on real estate thereby relieving espe-
cially small farmers and city home
owners Of their heaviest tax burden
and establishing the principle that
public revenues must pay for the pub
lie education.
THE organization is known as the
Pennsylvania State Association for the
Abolition of the School Tax
at has a large number of clubs III
various sections of the state II has
the support Of some hold-over senar
tors. 1t has many candidates for as
sembly pledged to the measure.
Candidate Stuart has indorsed it in
al least two public speeches.
"The measure we propose would en-
able Pennsylvania to go on with its
great system of education and give to
every child within the commonwealth
| It's Just dues-an education that would
| fit it for the battle of life. 1t would
solve the problem of adequate wages
for teachers and adequate schools for
pupils.
An Abundance Of State Revenue.
"Tne only question ever raised has
been whether the state has the inan-
| cial means to do It. AS briefly as may
| be. let me answer that question.
"The total cost for the whole state
| of teachers wages, text books and
supplies for last year was $15,5S7 ,020.
ITO meet that bill the state now
has q surplus of over $11,25O,OOO,
which by the beginning OF the next
fiscal year will reach at least s1e,750.-
000. Then there can be added to this
/ the s4.5OO,O0O of annual current in
| come. which during the last two years
has been applied to equipping our
new capitol, as well as some addi-
/ tional amounts that went into CON
| struction, and also the amount here
tofore appropriated for the sinking
| fund. This $11,250,O00 surplus, plus
! $3.50 900 regular school appropria-
ton. plus s4.5O0.OO0 new capitol eZ-
| penditures, will give us S21, ,250, 900
! with which to pay the s15,537,020 OF
teachers wages, text books and sup
niles. and leave sG.000.000 and all in
teregf and additional revenues to be
added to apply to the ordinary ex-
penses.
"There are abundant sources OF
new revenue Justly used in other
| states that can be availed Of by the
next legislature should any new reye-
| pue be needed.
"Mr. Stuart's pronounced stand on
| this issue viii, in the event Of his
| election. enable the state TO take this
great advance step in public education
! and make Pennsylvania the leader in
intelligence. as she is in material
prosperity"
What Counties Got Last Year.
While Mr. Stuart is advocating
further relief of local taxation from
the general revenues of the state, he
does not overlook the fact tl'at enor-
nous sums are now being paid an
nually from the state treasury to the
several counties for public school pur-
poses.
The records of the state treasury
show that 1882 $50. mainly collected
by the state in taxes from corporations,
was paid to the several counties during
the year 1905.
Pennsylvania Leads the Way.
PENNSYLVANIA has. without question,
the best public school system in the
world.
No state in the Union appropriates
anything like the sum of money which
Is annually set aside by this common
wealth for the maintenance and de-
velopment of the free schools. No
state makes anything like the liberal
provisions made by Pennsylvania for
the education and training Of teachers
and the conduct of state normal
, schools and township high schools.
The cause of popular education has
ever been fostered by the Republican
marty. and that party has been instru-
! mental in the passage through the
y legislature Of laws which have served
10 strengthen and to upbuild the mag
niflcent free school system which has
! been the subject of universal com
mendation.
The highest amount ever appro
l priated by the Democratic party fol
!, the public schools of Pennsylvania wal
s2S0o00 per annum. from 1857 tc
1860
: steady and permanent increase in tht
a annual appropriations for public
d schools, until In 1905 there was paiC
I out total of sS.60O,264 for educa
!. tionaI purposes, or over 35 per cent. o
! the entire revenue of the common
; wealth
4 This includes appropriations made
4 to the support of the soldiers orphans
schools. the county superintendent
the Department of Public Instruction
and for normal schools and township
high schools.
. Keynote Of Taxation Reform.
/ Mr.. Stuart certainly sounded thI
: keynote for taxation reform when h,
declared that the time had come wher
the state could accept the policy o
= speedily relieving farms and homes
OF the state from all taxation for ths
support of schools, and ultimately leaS
e to the relief of farms and homes from
r taxation for the support of our chic
,. | highways.
!. This declaration OF the Republican
:. candidate for Governor IS not q mer'
J. campaign invention.
a II IS in complete accord with th'
, policy OF the Republican party il