The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-06
FARMERS SIMPLY
WANT SQUARE DEAL
McELDERRY THINKS PUBLIC is
MlSlNFORMED AS TO THEIR
PURPOSE IN ASKING MONEY
FROM TAG TAX.
To the Editor of The Age-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
The public seems to be mlsinformed as
to the purpose of the farmers in asking
for the money derived from the tag tax
The farmers of Alabama are not asking
any favors. They are not cringing ours,
begging bone; but they do ask for
square deal"
Why should they be taxed $4,000 per
year, in order that Auburn may have
imposing buildings? Or that few towns
may have good high schools2 Not one
farmers son in thousand will ever see
the buildings. Not one in a hundred will
ever have an opportunity 10 attend the
high schools. Congressman Bowie says
there are in Alabama today 100000 white
illiterates over 10 years of age, and twice
as many more barely literate. and | am
prepared to believe the condition is even
worse than he pictures ii. Auburn, to-
gether with the so-called Agricultural
Schools do not have an annual attend
ance of 1900 at all ten. schools.
What justice is there anyway in levy
ing a special tax on the farmers of Ala
bama to sustain the department of agri-
levied on the farmers for more than a
quarter of a century, in order to protect
them from fraudulent or spurious fertili-
zers unhesitatingly state that
not one farmer in hundred, from the
governor elect down Qf his written state
ment is to be beleved), can tell the low
est grade of fertilizers permitted to be
sold on the Alabama market and a high
grade fertilizer by the analysis on the
bag. This tag tax is unjust. yet the
farmers of Alabama are not asking for
the law to be repealed; but that the
money derived from this tax be applied
to the building and equlpping Of school
houses In the rural districts. Many of the
houses now used for school purposes are
without ceiling or sash, no black board
or desk, usually with a cracked stove that
endangers the building whenever a fire
is kindled, with no thought for the COM
fort or accommodation of the children
With such surroundings, what inspira ton
is there for higher and greater effort
Of endeavor?
These educational grafters are righteous
overmuch, and seek Justification in the
fact that they are. fulfilling the scrip
lures. because they give to him that hath,
by taking from him that hath not, even
that he seemeth to have. They ask, what
will the little pittance of 100000 do for
the common schools? As though we
were asking anything for the common
schools. We think we know, In the main
the character of the representatives who
compose the next legislature of Alabama
They are broadminded patriotic men, who
know their duty and will fearlessly dis
charge the same, without the suggestions
or dictation of any man or set of mem
They will as matter of course, make a
liberal appropriation for the common
schools. Possibly make an additional an
preparation of half million dollars 10
, the public schools because large ma
1ority of the school children of today will
be beyond the school age. and too old
to be benefited by the legislature that
convenes four years hence. For the same
reason they will generously provide for
the old soldiers.
Four years hence very many of the old
, soldiers will have passed over the river.
After these two interests, which are
paramount, have been cared for then the
legislature will turn its attention to the
higher schools of learning" and some |
know had better begin to prepare for this
investigation. Verbum sapienti.
C. T. McELDERRY.
Talladega. January s. 1907.