Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-03-20
School Indebtedness.

Mr.. Editor May we pass few words
to our fellow-taxpayers through your col
umns concerning our school Indebtedness
We distinctly remember, years ago. when
one Of our energetic teachers who wished
even single box Of paint to brighten the
appearance of rather dilapidated and
dismally-appearing school building it was
refused, while his indomitableness bought
it and he himself put it on the house.
And later on when the school board was
requested to assist in the real uplift Of our
school system, the reply was: I'VE have
not the money; and more, we would need
a law to that effect" Costing not over 500,
1t was an experiment with careful. honest
and charitable observation of a few skilled
educators. which probably would have
given more efficient work in our schools
(Which is possible still. notwithstanding
all our school modernism and monuments) /,
and that without a direct violation of our
school law.
But see how quickly things change and
how a move can receive prestige and en-
couraeement as soon as large sums are to
be expended or sliced up.
The general public grew weary Of the
tax burden being imposed and public SEN
timent became so strong as to demand an
investigation of our unheard-Of school in
debted. We did not get single crumb of
real business-like satisfaction from the in
vestieation-that is from a real business
like point of view. For was there any real
comparison of the accounts and vouchers
If so. why was it not so stated Is this not
about the very first thing the real business
man or auditor would do9
Now. brother taxpayers. we who have
submitted to the enormous. If not extrava-
CANT and wasteful expenditure Of our sub
stance through excessive taxation, are we
going to still stand and encourage this
form Of extortion by assisting to lift this
shameful. law-violated debt without one
single word Of protest. 1t is as If we were
being led to the slaughter so dumb that we
cannot even open our mouths in behalf Of
our purely business-like rights-that is
by demanding a statement of the account.
backed and paralleled by the vouchers of
the same?
If this is not possible under the present
law, is it good oneY
II not. is it not high time and an suspicious
occasion to repeal or amend it (seeing
there is some school legislation on FOOT 7
And if there be an unwillingness. is 1t not
self-evdent tits for a selfish motive on the
part of our representatives. to say the
least of it?
Fellow-citizens and taxpayers, you who
can think. write and act so much better
than !. do you not feel it your sacred duty
at this juncture to cast in your mite toward
asserting our riehtss
If not. are you not willing by your silence
and inactivity to indorse and thereby en-
courage the present state of affairs as well
as becoming an accOmplice in the same
rather than open your mouth or write
word for the press in open protest against
its preparation and continuation
Should there not be meeting called i'm
mediately, including our prominent citizens
and taxpayers. before there is any legisla-
ton upon this matter. before it is eternally
too lateY | for one heartily indorse such
a move. will take an active part and con-
tribute to the expense of the same.
A TAXPAYER,
Brookeville. Nd. March 8, IA.