The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-10-16

Believing that The Sun's columns
are open to both sides OF prop9sl'
ton and that 1t Is disposed to be fab
hi this bond issue matter ! desire 10
submit the following
Before any citizen OF Paducah can
intel,lgently vote ON the school bond
issue he should have before him aud
thoroughly understand an of he con-
ditions as they exist weigh them
carefully. AMI then do what he con
siders his duty and for the best in
terests OF Paducah and Pdducah
schools. The proposition Is plain
one. Every intelligent man coneedes
the fact that Paducah has rot ade-
quate educational facilities, and es-
cry good citizen will lend hs aid as
far as he can rs good citizen 90
the elevation of the public schools
and the dissemination of knowledge,
for therein Is the secret of elimin-
alton OF crime and the perfecting OF
government, but It Is no mans right
or duty TO, through ignorance or
stubborness, foist upon his nelghbor a
burden that will crush him There
fore. voters. Il q your right aud duty
TO see that every man IN Paducah
understands and appreciate The Inn
portance OF his vote on this much
talked OF school bond issue.
Unfortunately. and this is said
without fear or hesitation, Tor | have
followed THE matter e;ose,y those
who fa;hered and continue to strong-
ly advocate the bond issue have not
presented the conditions fairly as they
exist. | do not say this was done
purpOsely to mislead. for believe
some OF those who have taken the
lead really do not know. themselves
the true conditions. 10 Il were done
purposely. shame on them, II in ig-
rorance. then let us be fair In THE
matter henceforth, and when mass
meetings are called TO discuss the
school bond issue avoid epigrams on
the beauties and duties OF higher and
more universal education. stick 90
facts and the truth aud YOU will never
20 astray in the teaching OF any peo-
pie.
These proposed school bonds may
ouly be issued under one authority.
section l57 Of the State Contribution
aud the Section s21s OF the kentucky
Statutes. a part Of charter OF cities
NJ the second olass. The constitu-
ilonal section prohibits the school
board from issuing the bonds unless
submitted to and receiving an aifirma-
tive two thirds OF the votes east upon
The question. The section Of the sta
lutte carries the section OF the consti-
tuition into eject and further provides
hat the proceeds arising from The sale
Of the bonds can only be used to
purchase sites for building and equip
school buildings aud for no other
purpose. and that s100 900 OF bonds
shal be- the limit m cities OF the sec
ond c,ass. II further provides that
10 cents on each ,siPl Of taxable
property In the city shall De collected
zach year to create a sinking fund
- discharge al OF the bonds. This
20 cent tax levy Is In addition to the
80 cents on each 500 OF taxable
property now levied ard paid to the
school board by the city. but no part
Df this 10 cent levy can be used Fer
any other purpose than TO create the
sinking fund to discharge the bonds
rot one cent OF additional operating
pr maintenance revenue T. given 90
he school board thereby, The school
board must continue to operate the
schools. maintain the school buildings
and pap all expenses Of the schools
aud interest ON borrowed money and
on the bond issue out Of the 80 cent
levy. just az they are do..g right now
and have been dong Since Marsh.
1902. This brings US down TO the
true business condition that We should
nj be familiar with to vote Intelligent
a. The school boards OF This year.
last year. and several year previous
have all complalnt that they did not
have enough money 10 run the schools
On The city by levying a tax OF IS
tents on each 500 OF property taxed
gives to the school board $4,000 a
year on the present property valu-
atoms, which Is the maximum the city
may give under the city charter The
school board says This $4,000 IL net
sufficient to run the schools on and
Z. is only by the closest eeonomy both
ands are made TO meet and nothing
Is left to pay extra expense. such az
fixed repairs and additions to build
ngs. sewerage. etc. / take Il this
statement Is correct. Now, II this
; 100000 Of bonds Is issued under the
present conditions per cent Is as
mail a per cent as they could posslb-