The Paducah evening sun., 1910-01-20
THE TAXPAYERS AND THE
SCHOOLS,

Any assis tance the city of Pa
ducah may give the schools of
Paducah in a financial way will
be money well spent.-News-
Democrat.
Here's a matter on which we all
seem to agree. IL is not matter of
mere sentiment. either; but matter
of common sense economy.
1t makes little difference, now, of
course. how the floating debt OF the
schools came about, but it puts us.
to begin with. i'm a little more sym
pathetic attitude toward the present
trustees. when we understand that
they had nothing to do with incur
ring It.; that they are men of the
very highest business qualifications
who consented to give their time at
the urgent request of distressed citi-
zens TO the school problem; and that.
in addition to restoring harmony,
they actually managed with their
meagre revenues TO pay of part of
the existing debts, during the year
just ended. Knowing the character
'of men composing the board. we feel
more like entrusting money to them,
and more like wiping clean the slate
and giving them a chance to improve
the schools. at least, 10 the fun ex-
tent Of their income. part of which
now goes to paying interest on the
floating debt
That interest account is what chal-
leges our common sense. The
school board is an entity distinct
from the city, to be sure, and So
cent levy out Of this general tax
levy Is apportioned TO Il by state law;
50 the city government naturally
feels no direct responsibility for the
schools. However, brushing aside
these artificial distinctions erected
by fiction of the law. the same tax
payers, who support the city govern
ment. support the schools, and that
annual interest on the floating debt
must be met by them: and. whether
the city does or does not pay of the
$4,000 remaining for the schools
this year, the same people will have
the $4,000 to pay eventualy-only.
If the money is paid this year the IN
terest will stop.
That Is the taxpayers point of
view, We take IL. He desires the
cheapest and most effective admin
istraton possible. II will be made
cheapest by stopping the interest
forthwith. and made most effective
by saving the income of the schools
Tor the purpose for which 1t was in
tended-the current expenses of op-
Grafton.
When men of the character of
those, composing the school board.
are willing to give their time and
talents to the public. that Is the
time when the public should be
most liberal toward the schools as
sured that the money will be prop
erly spent. For that reason. too. we
hope the general council will keep
down the annual charges against the
city government; so that after sew
eral municipal projects Of great i'm
portance planned for this year are
completed. and the charter Is amend
ed, permitting the issuance of short
term, special assessment bonds by
the general council, the municipal
budget may be cut. and fifteen cents
more Of the levy added TO the public
school fund.
new High school Is needed. and
when the city limits are extended
westward, new school building out
that way will be Immediately de.
manded: but with the new prnperty |
assessment next year and the added
real estate wealth, these affairs will
not greatly bother our school trus-
tees. II the floating debt is out OF the
way.
There is involved. owing to the
artificial distinctions between the
CITY school board, a legal question
which we will not pretend to pass
upon. That is whether the CITY has
me legal right 30 transfer funds to /;
me school trustees; but with all of I
is agreeing as to the moral rectitude
u the transaction, way around the
echnicaiity can be found by LAWYERS
accustomed 10 guide parties through
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