The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-24
Voice Of the People
Opposed to Free School Books.

10 inc EDITOR OF Tie TlEncS-DlSpatc h:
Sir,-One objection to tho measure
for free school books lie the argument
against ultra paternallsm In govern
ment. In this day the chief consider
TO get something for nothing. even at
somebody else's expense. BY making
things too easy for tho individual, We
destroy his right to a feeling of in
complishment. BY teaching him that
he has the right to expect the State
to satisfy oil his needs, oven IL he do
nothing toward the support Of the
wholly vicious idea. that the world
owes him living and ought TO give
1t to him. Any man who lives ac-
cording to such u conviction has lost
tho mainspring of noble aspiration, and
may DO counted on to take only such
interest In government ms will further
now our children feel no obligation TO
tho state for what they already re-
ceive: and the most decided demon
stratlons, of pleasure at the mention OF
we'll able to buy them. ..-
Tho advocates of free books are
probably Incorrect In saying that. with
books free. all, or nearly all, children
main for graduation. Tho truth is,
many parents either force or allow
their offspring to absent themselves
in order to contribute to the family
~
too glad to avoid the restraints and
responsibilities of school life. The ar
gument is not against free education,
but against ultra-paternalism. Where
should paternallsm end? Clearly where
1t would work IL moral loss to the re-
cipients, and whore the source of pub
lie income might be crippled or unduly
discouraged. Socialism is all right
within bounds. but no wise man would
kill tie goose that lays the golden
eggs" In this case. the golden
goose Is the taxpayer. who gets but
little real consideration In Richmond.
our tax rates are SO high that a very
large percentage of the profits OF real
estate is annually handed over to the
Wise to Increase the rate. 1t raises the
assessment on the property. which
amounts TO the same thing, especially
a, as the increased assessment and tax
Dill do not bring IN increase of rentals
The burden falls most heavily on the
small proprietor. the man who has
worked and pinched and saved to Sc
cure himself home. Or, II he rent
out his house, approximately 20 per
cent. OF the annual rent goes for
taxes. while his insurance, repairs and
erty reduce his profit in the invest
nent by more than one-third. The
tax gatherers, too. are memorable. They
nave been known to sell the shack
poor delinquent widow. turning her
and her children out to go wherever
they could. Recently a taxpayer oom-
planned to q City Hall oficini about
was, Sell your house. then" 1t ia to
be hoped that we shall never reach
the stage when people of small means
VIII not care to build or to own prop
erty on account OF the expense in
Volved in keeping It.
1t has been stated that those who
past have been subjected to mortifca-
ZION ut the hands OF their fellow stu
dents II this has occurred, 1t has
neen due to the carelessness OF the
pllcation has been made. The parents
are required to sign a printed slip.
stating that they are I'm INDECENT
GSirG,u Gre. Is and unable to buy the
ana the school principal. and there
Is absolutely no need for any publicity
iaNen II there were. why should we
brand honest poverty disgrace, and
teach our children TO feel that 1t is
so? Instead of instillinE into them
such false pride, we should impress
mem with the dignity OF labor. we
should teach them that honor Is due
10 all honest efforts: that poverty IS
only an unfortunate incident In mans
life, not an Index OF HIS worth
ertnent question here would be.
richmond are property owners and
taxpayers? Are there not many who
pay no taxes. yet who are amply able
10 pnrcnase DOORS, IL onered at re-
duced price? Legislators should be
clear as to what is the real evil to
he remedted. the real good to be
gained, and the best practical solution
OF the ditculty. This matter should
be decided not by sentiment, but bv
wisdom and deliberate Judgment
Do the masses OF our children really
need free bo0ks2 Can we bestow this
gift without injustice to the majority
or the taxpayers? AS to the actual
cost. experience alone can inform us
especially IL the advocates OF the.
measure are not mistaken In their
estimate OF the large number of pupils
such action Will add to our school list
On the other hand, If the number ex-
ciuded from school on account of the
cost Of books be not comparatively
large, the demand for the new law is
not based on actual need. Again, will
the benefit OF such Il measure he cx-
tended to those adults who attend the
i.LL ll.LnLLl III. lit