The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-09-27
ocALA WoMAN'S CLUB WORKING
FOR SCHOOL AMENDMENT

There is a matter of vital import
ance before the people of the state
that does not seem to be receiving the
attention it is worthy of from the
right thinking people of the state 1t
| is possible that it has not been brought
to their attention in forcible manner
although some of the papers of the
state have devoted columns of their
editorial pages to it,
The Woman's Club of Ocala is do
ing all in their power to get the CO.
operation of the voters and the Board
of Trade endorsed their efforts at the
last meeting they held.
At the last session of the legislature
it was decided 70 place before the peo-
pie an amendment to the constitution
authorizing the issue of bonds for
school purposes as under the present
constitution an issue of bonds for
school purposes would be illegal, for
with every bond issue a tax must be
levied TO create a sinking fund for the
redemption of the bonds and for pay
ing the interest on same. The supreme
court has already decided that this
would be a school tax in excess of the
limits of the constitution which would
Of course, make it invalid.
At the November election every tax
payer VIII have an opportunity to ex-
press his views a the polls and it is
hoped that the amendment Will carry
with an overwhelming majority
The present school tax is totally in
adequate to supply the needs of our
children and afford them the necessary
educational advantages, which compels
a continual solicitation of private or
charitable. contributions and even with
the liberal manner in which the citi-
zens of our state have responded to
the various calls made on them there
is a considerable deficiency in the
amount necessary 10 give the children
of the state the proper education. Our
school teachers at the present time are
underpaid and overworked as there is
not a sufficient number of them and
funds are not at the disposal of the
school board to fully pay them for
their time. At the last meeting of our
county commissioners a recommends
ton was made that one teacher donate
So a month SO that she would be able
to have an assistant, as the present
funds were not large enough to pay
an assistant without outside help. No
comments were made on this frightful
condition but imagine a hard working
school teacher having to donate IS per
month for the education of-children
when her present salary is hardly suf-
ficient to give her i living. This con-
dition should stop and the taxpayers
bear these burdens.
Our children are the ones TO whom
viii fan the burden Of perpetuating
the honor of the grand state of Flor
ida and what greater work can the
present generation do than to fit them
properly to carry the burdens we will
place upon them. Good roads are nee
essary and great educational feature
in themselves; they are the means of
enabling the children TO take advant-
age of the opportunities we now offer;
they are the means of the farmers be-
ing able to better their condition SO
they may be able TO offer even better
opportunities than those now at hand
but let US better our school system
first and the good roads will take
care Of themselves for by the uplift-
ing Of our children W will make the
conditions of every home better. which
Will result in the betterement or all or
our surroundings.
It IS to be hoped that the efforts of
the Woman's Club will result in much
good and that the voters Of Marion
county Will prove that they are al
ways ready and willing to work for
the uplifting of our children and
making for the state of Florida men
and women that Will continue to keep
our state in the forward march of
progress To the mothers of Marion
county each and every voter owes
sacred duty and when they request
the support of the voters for a measure
that viii tighten their burden, let
come forth and grant their request.
Every friend of the children of
Florida should go to the polls and
vote for this amendment and do all
possible to influence the votes of
others in favor of this all important
movement r. {. Muncaster.