Semi-weekly herald., 1910-04-25
ON THE SCHOOL QUESTION.
Continued from Page -

related to us in a business and neigh
borly way, should take the grounds
that II would he cheaper for them to
send their pupils to the Durango
schools than TO maintain schools of
their own. Would the school board of
this district be justified or could they
refuse TO admit them If the voters of
this district, on May 3. so decided?
In reply 10 the circulated and print
ed statements of Mr.. Haughey that he
or any person was refused permis
sion 10 inspect the records OF the
district, We will state that they are
not true. Al the time The committee
of the Farmers union attended the
meeting of the directors, demand
was made by the Farmers union. and
moi as taxpayers of the district for in
formation which was no concern of
iheirs-for instance those who did
or did not pay tuition. the amount OF
money collected, and how 1t was ex-
pended. etc. We were satifled that
information obtained would he given
aud on the streets, and the informa
tion we had obtained and upon which
we had abated said tuition would he
come common gossip.
Many people while they may be
poor, in financial way, are proud and
dislike to have their financial condi.
ton discussed by those not particular
ly Interested. II has been a rule. not
only of this but previous boards. to
consider matters OF this nature as
confidential and all we have asked of
any person claiming inability to pay
tuition was to make a statement to
that effect, not as a matter Of record,
but for the directors protection.
Again, the Farmers union had no
right to either ask or receive informa-
tion as to what we received or how
he moneys collected for tuition from
This or other sources were expended
not being taxpayers of the district. as
heretofore stated. The books. records
and any information relating TO our
| schools are open AT all times, and
we court Investigation by any citizen
OF the district. and further. any mem.
ber of the board is always willing to
give information to our citizens who
take an interest in school matters.
| In the issue of the Durango Demo
crat of Feb. 20, 1910. Mr. Hauehey
used the following language in sup
port of the Farmers union position.
"Now 1t so happens that Mr. Locke
is members of The Farmers union.
and as 1t is one of the principles of
that body 10 pay no taxes. they are
not legally bound to pay"
They. however. seem willing for the
taxpayers of district No. to pay taxes
for schooling the outside pupils. This
Is their argument in nutshell, but If
district No. . chooses to assist them.
selves to educate their children. it
surely is no concern or interest OF
the Farmers union or of Mr. Haueh
ey's how we expend the money col.
lected.
In an article under date of April
20. 1910. signed by one of the vie
inns in the Farmers Voice this argu.
ment is used:
| "Of course, the legislature may have
made mistake in fixing the tuition
| charge at $3.50 per month for pupils
coming from outside districts, but II IT
is NOT enough. what is the clear duty
OF an honest and intelligent beard?
Is 1t not 20 run the schools until
the money runs out and then shut
them DOWN"
We submit this line of thought to
The pupils and patrons of our high