The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-10-07
STATE GENERALIZATION
OF COMMON SCHOOLS
Philosophical System Of Education with the
State as a Unit <N%'
Charles E. Lukens Founder Marion, Ohio.

10 one dollar per pupil, the teachers
Of the counties referred to would
hardly experience cut on one dol. .
lar and one-half per day as wages.
but the taxpayers would be compelled
to make UP the deficit, consequently
higher local tax rate. Now suppose
we Increase the state appropriation to
two dollars per pupil, or even more.
What assurance have, we that the
former county would increase the
wages of its female teachers?
The difference between 6.23 mills
the state average of local tax rate
and $50 mills the local tax rate of
the former county, or 1853 mills, is
nothing other than a subsidy furn-
ished by the state and goes into the
pockets of the country tax payers or
the county. Any increase in the
appropriation under the present law,
increases in greater proportion the
injustice that exists between counties
that are receiving subsidy which
reduces their own local taxes and
the less fortunate counties that are
hopelessly struggling to alleviate their
condition.
One other illustration. A certain
rural county has the highest record
OF any county I'm per cent. Of enroll
ment. Eighty-eight per cent. of tho
enumeration in the country schools
is enrolled. consequently this county
receives from the state fund, one
dollar and ninety-three cents. for each
pupil enrolled. A county containing
one OF the largest cities has an en-
rollment of but sixty per cent. OF
It's enumeration, and receives two
dollars and eighty-three cents per
capita upon each pupil enrolled.
The percentage of enrolment In
all counties having large cities, Is
lower than rural counties.
The appropriation of state school
FUND to the several counties varies
In eighty-eight instances: IL one of
these is correct. 1t is by chance.
There can be no progress in our
present system"
Teachers deserve a greater compen-
satfon, which must be secured by rem
dering greater service or securing nav
lor wasted energy. Many schools
have decreased to one-half their form
Ter attendance, and others closed en-
tirely. Teachers that receive the
same wages for teaching ten pupils
that was paid twenty years ago for
teaching twenty pupils, are now get
ting double the dages paid formerly,
based upon services rendered.
Should they expect any material
increase OF wages upon any other ba-
sis
We concede that they are not re-
sponsible for the conditions which
have made changes detrimental to
their welfare, and that they are en-
titled to full pay for their services.
but how are they to recover their
due In localities either unable or un-
willing to grant their appeal or de-
mand.
In arbitrary legislation there Is no
solution under the present condition.
The setting up OF special districts
In the wealthier portions of a town
ship makes 1t great burden upon the
portions less fortunate. F -.
The township Capitalization scheme.
based upon reverence for tho land
marks OF our grandfathers' and the
stage coach methods of transportat ton.
'if carried out would constitute the
most gigantic system OF exploitation
ever known in history, and foster a
clannishness that Is Numerically op-
posed to education in It's true sense.
and would afford no relief to the
'cities.
We must have better system than
the one now In use. Whether Il IL n
principle or an expedient that we
raise a portion of the school funds
by uniform tax rate throughout
the state, we would apply the same
to raise every dollar OF school funds.
The uniform tax rate should be
raised to rate that would warrant
the abolition of all local taxes for
school purposes. The federal gov
ernment supports every postoffice
from one common state fund. One
uniform tax rate would In itself Gre
ate one common state fund from
which all school expenses would be
paid
Like conditions would receive like
benefits through state legislation.
We would then have foundation
FOR system of education that\would
be model for all other cities and
a beacon light to all civilization. We
submit the above as response to
the appeal we quote.