Yazoo City herald. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1976, 1906-10-26
LETTER FROM II. Nj. STREET.
The Publie Schools How to Raise
Revenue For Them.


Revenue For Them.
Meridian, Miss, Oct. 1, O6.
To The Vicksburg Herald:
To have the whole common schoo
fund raised by the State and arbitrarily
apportioned would produce untold fric.
ton among the counties, and endless
controversies. Instead Of harmonizinR
the differences among the counties, the
difficulties would be magniEed. The
fight for low assessments would be in
creased and the school authorities would
extend their demands TO the limit
through partial statements.
II each county is required 10 raise its
own fund, the number to be aided by
the State to any great extent would be
so small that the tendency would be to
aid them literally. The counties need
ing the most help have large white ma
jorihes and there is unanimous senti-
ment in favor Of giving them all they
could reasonably ask. The black coun-
ties, as a rule, would raise all Of their
own school fund, and they certainly
should be allowed to use it to suit them
selves. The extension Of railroads and
the resulting prosperity, the increase in
values, population and improvements,
has greatly reduced deficits in many
counties. This increases ability for
greater liberality in a supplemental
fund for counties less fortunately situa-
ted. The commissioners to distribute
that fund should be chosen from the
counties that receive no part of it. In
this way strict impartiality would be
shown.
In proposing changes, the people in
the country should be assured that they
would not suffer on account Of the sep
arate school district, but that the coun-
ty fund for four months school shall be |
one, divided prorata. The cost OF four
months school should be made to fall as
near as practicable on all taxable prop
critics. AS to a fund for a period Of
over four months, 1t should be left by
the constitution to be Fixed in amount
and used as provided by law in each
county and district, according to their
needs 9nd wishes respectively. To
meet the requirements in the various
districts, the law should be given ample
Iexibility.
10 have each county raise its own
iund, and the State help only where
needed, would leave only about one
hird OF the counties as bene6ciaries,
While the other two-thirds would be
lisinterested arbiters. This aid would
lot require an appropriation Of over
100000, instead Of 100000. The
State tax levied on the county assess
nents, would fall from six to one mill;
be railroad State tax remaining IS at
resent. This would practically do
way with the need for a State Board y
t Equalization. II would be very small
oncern to the tax payers of q county
neither they paid the State 81, 900 on a
!, 100000 or $4,000 on $6,000,0O0 as
AS most of the taxas would
Q raised and appropriated and used in |
he county, the concern would be with
le immediate neigbbors' assessment ,
lstead Of those of other counties.
a sufficient fund, about, for general I
;ate purposes could be thus raised:
lnll on individual property $500, 900 90 Z
mills on railroad ...-..,...-.- 100000 90
direct, privilege, fees, etc 100000 90 y
This should be suficient.$1 100000 90 {
III. M. STREET.