The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-09-26

offered double that amount, n the
men who obtained the bargain we're
brothers Of the Republican commits
sioner who made the sale.
During these years of Republican
rule the tax rate was as high as 6s
cents, and lower than so cents
on the $4,000, but notwithstanding
this enormous tax, never a dollar thus
raised was spent in erecting a public
building. The only monument reared
by the Republican party in these
years was a bonded Indebtedness of
S2I%,ooo,ooo.oo, which they left as a
legacy to their Democratic successors.
THE DAWN UNDER. sILAs wooDsoN.
When, in 1873, Democracy, under
Sllas WoodSon, assumed control OF
me state, we took possession under
me most discouraging circumstances.
missouri, a border State, had been
/ ravaged by both armies during the
Sivl War, and the panic destined a
/, lew months later to sweep over the
country was already casting its
shadow upon us. But Democracy.
d with splendid courage, faced the diff
culties 1t confronted. Salaries of pub
tic ofhcials were reduced; fees and
L perqulsites that had gone to enrich
ohceholders were turned into the
e treasury. Property that had escaped
taxation was placed upon the books
" OF the assessor, and for the first time
the great corporations and railroad
L companies were compelled to bear
their share of the burden of govern
ment. Under economic Democratic
!, administrations the people of this
i State have seen this entire indebted
is ness paid, excepting only that part in
which the State has invested her per-
manent school fund, known as the
school certificates. By a direct vote
" on a Constitutional Amendment. the
people have determined that these
certificates shall remain as an invest
~ ment for the benefit of our educa-
tional system.
'ut All this has been done under a tax
ip- rate constantly reduced. until TODAY
is It IS the lowest of any state in all the
mr. union, and Of the II cents that we
ievy, Z cents goes back to the public
io schools, so that with a tax OF only 10
49, E1NN~ ~ AAAN YAOOabnt We UdN dill IUG
on expenses of State government.
-et But had Democracy sacrificed the
needs of the hour to meet these de-
eir mands of the past, its economy would
ielr nave deserved no consideration. On
an, the contrary, we have met every duty
and obligation Of statehood, and kent
Missouri abreast of the progress Of
as the world, and the civilization of the
ign century.
'ow WONDERFUL GROWTH OF PUBLIC IN.
inc. s~TITUTIONs.l
lght When the Republican party turned
the the State over to their Democratic
ven successors there we're eight State in
situations, meagerly equipped, pro.
'nie vlded for mi Of the general treasury
by These have enormously grown AM
tor expanded, and fifteen others hav,
been added to them to meet the need
OF our rapidly growing common
Bill wealth.
With that wisdom which recognize
ina that the first prerequisite in the cit.
dica- zenship of a republic is widespread
= intelligence, the Democracy has eve
y y most literally provided for the MAR
sue %tenance of our common school sy.
hem TEN. Under their fostering care, OIL
great University has grown to be or
49,. of the foremost schools in the Ian
and clustered around it, and part
Re- it, are the technical schools Of la,
we medicine, agriculture, mining, engit
eering, pedagogy and JOURNALISM
i, where the Missouri boy may fit hir
self for work in any calling of life.
Mis- Three great normals, thorough
D. p0fffODQd and ftuO mara ia co,.reo
construction, are yearly sending for
thousands of trained teachers to tai
heea their places in the country schoo
t the Ten thousand and f~orty-six distrI
schools, maintained in every schc
ord district in Missouri, are giving to t
boys and girls OF the State an q
] not ton that will fit them for the dut.
kind of citizenship.
ching STATE SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT
: was SCHOOLS.
This year from the general treasr
of the State, in addition to SUI
Vlcted raised by taxation on the prope.
admit within the district, we distributed
hearts these Io,o46 district schools SIS
10000. This sum raised by gene
taxation upon all the property of
: Just State is the help the weather. COZ
losed; ties extend to poorer communities
com order to enable them to maintain ii
4 and schools. Under this system m;
counties in Missouri receive from
iooih' public treasury for school purpo
pains more money than the entire tax ?
Y had by that county to the State,
We or The school system of Misso
IL 49, built up and maintained under Del
= 'n' cratic laws, must be preserved.
when common schools, where the vast
te was iority of our youths have their c
, right opportunity for education, must
Of continuously improved and kept
y the highest point Of efficiency.
Whom Democratic Legislature in the
ems all has and in the future will recog'
IS bond their needs, and just laws will
without enacted to meet their necessities,
7. NEGRO CHILDREN AND WHITES
- SEPARATE SCHOOLS.