The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-03-09
JOINT COMMITTEE EXPLAINS.
When We Get Our $4,000 School
Equipment We Will Lead Other
Towns.

4OWuSs
To the Voters of Newberry School
District:
In this issue of our local papers ap-
lpears a notice of an election to be
iheld March "a, 1909, on the question
of issuing school bonds to the par
value of $4O,00O.00, if so much be
deemed necessary by the school
board, the proceeds to be used for en-
larging the school facilities in this
district. The act of the Legislature
authorizing the election is printed TO-
day also.
This notice and 'act speak for them
selves. and yet, word Of explanation
from the joint committee that has had
this matter in charge may not be
amiss.
There are two methods by which an
election on the question of bond is
sue, such as the proposed one, may be
authorized. One is by a petition from
a. majority Of the freeholders to the
city council. The other, by act Of the
legislature. When the matter first
came before the joint committee it
was thought that time might be saved
by using the petition method. In
consequence, petitions we're crculat-
ed, and generally signed. But it is
no small matter to canvass majority
of the freebolders Of this town. Many
are new residents, many more are wo-
men who must beaseen in their homes,
while a considerable number are un-
known negroes.
The partial canvass was highly sat-
! isfactory, as nearly every white male
resident freeholder signed the peti-
tion. Only six or seven refused. How
ever, when the committee compared
its list with the tax-books it was
found that We did not have major
ity.
In the meantime the legislature had
met. It was then decided to adopt
the second method, as it was now evil
dent that in this way time and work
would be saved. This is the reason
for changing the method. If the COM
mittee had had the time to devote to
this canvass there would have been
no difficulty in getting the necessary
number of names.
Now, one more statement is neces-
sary in this connection.
The petition that was circulated
asked for an election on 30-year
honds not to exceed $30,O00.00; the
act authorizes an election on 40-year
bonds not to exceed $30,OOO,O0: the
was this change made? The joint
committee had no way to determine
the exact cost of the necessary build
ings, grounds, and equipment without
the expenditure Of considerable mon
ey. It had no money. When the work
is completed there should be no un-
paid bills.
The committee, therefore, decided
that it would be better for the trus-
tees to have authority to raise too
much money rather than run the risk
Of having too little. The trustees
will sell only enough Of the authoriz-
ed bonds to pay for what they con-
slider best for our schools. This may
not be as much as $30,0000Q or it
may be more.
Moreover, 100000 in 40-year
bonds will require the same levy to
retire them at maturity as 100000
in 30-year bonds.
We are now paying one mill on the
old bonds which are about paid off.
When the new bonds are issued we
Will simply continue this one mill levy
for their retirement in 40 years.
The joint committee is due the pub
lie an apology for its seeming slow
ness in getting this matter to a vote.
The fact is that the individual mem
bers of the committee, owing to stress
of duties, have not been able to push
this matter as fast as it deserved. 1t
is hoped, however, that the work Will
/ 60 rapidly forward from now on, and
that the trustees will have the i'm
provements ready for use by the
opening of next session.
As was said above, our people are
! ,a,.aot;aal LIZ ,,nann;nan1S on this s11h=