The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-05-15

ing been filed with the county clerk as
| required by the new law. 1t is be-
lieved a large percentage OF the sign
ers of the petition had never read the
law or acquainted themselves with the
general nature OF it's provisions.
when they became parties to the re.
quest that the latter be submitted to
the electors Of Chouteau county. The
latter, however, should give the sub.
| iect fair and impartial consideration
| before acting upon IT,, and to assist
| them 10 that course a brief statement
| of the lain provisions OF the law is
herewith submitted.
1t is provided thai a petition re.
Guesting the county commissioners to
call an election to vote upon the es.
Enlistment of a county high school
be fled with the county clerk. The
petition must be signed by at least 100
freeholders, which is only i per cent.
Of the total number OF taxpayers in
Chouteau county. The county clerk
must give public notice OF the filing
OF such petition, and within thirty
days thereafter any place in the coun.
,y may be nominated for the location
Of the high school by a petition signed
by fifty f%reeholders. The commits.
sioners are required to call a spe.
cial election to vote upon the PROPOSE
ton, the ballo. 10 contain the nalne
of the towns nominated for the loca.
ton of the school. II q majority OF
the votes are in favor Of the establish.
ment of a county high school, the
proposition carries: and the town
that receives aCmajority of the votes
in favor of the scheme secures the TO-
cation OF the institution.
1t will be observed that the initial
steps in the proceedings must be taken
by freeholders, a very small proper.
ton Of the taxpayers having the pow
err to start the movement. But the es-
tablishment and fixing the location of
the high school may be determined by
| voters who are not taxpayers and
| who will not bear the burden Of its
maintenance. A majority vote de.
cides the question OF providing for a
county high school, and a majority Of
that favorable vote determines it's 10.
cation. That is to say, rs per cent.
Of the total vote may decide the latter
feature of the proposition.
1t is provided that in the event OF the
establishment Of q county high school,
a special tax levy must be made every
year for its maintenance, the limit of
the levy being ten mills, which tax
shall be levied upon all property in
the county. 1t is also provided that
bonds TO the amour. Of 500. 600 may
be issued for the purpose Of securing
a site and erecting a high school
building. and an additional tax levy
must be made to provide funds for
the payment of the interest and prin.
cipal of these bonds.
In view Of the fac, that district high
schools are now maintained by the
taxpayers of the Chinook, Havre and
Fort Benton districts, IL does not
seem proper that the taxpayers OF the
entire county be required 70 supply
funds for the equipment and mainte.
nance OF q county high school. The
benefits Of such az institution, wher.
ever established, are enjoyed princi.
pally by residents OF its place OF loca.
ton, while the expense incident to its
operation is paid by taxpayers living
in all parts of the county. Under the
district high school system, the ex'
pense falls only upon those who re-
ceive the benefit Of the educationa'
facilities provided, which is a ''square
deal to all parties concerned.