Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-04-02

The stockholders will be given stock
in the new company in exchange for
the old. Every dollar of the indebt-
edness of the old company will be
paid, and more than $500, 900 in cash
will remain in the treasury with
which to carry on the business. This
is one of the most remarkable feats in
modern finance and speaks volumes
for the ability of James L. Dalton, the
president of the old company, who
will remain in that position with the
new enterprise. 1t is expected that
every vestige of the old plant will be
removed by July LIST of this year. In
speaking of the transaction to-day,
President Dalton said that there was
no man in Poplar Bluff who regretted
the move more than he, but conditions
were such that something had to be
done to protect the stockholders,
and that he was still loyal to Poplar
Bluff in every sense of the word"
The school board asks us to vote a
65 cent levy for this year-the same
levy as last year, which was eighteen
cents greater than that of the year
previous. For years before then the
levy had ranged from twenty to forty
cents. The inquiring taxpayer
naturally asks, why this Increase
this doubling-of the cost of the
maintenance of the public schools of
the Ironton district? Is it because of
corresponding increase in enrolment
and attendance? Of increased eff
~ficiency? OF disaster requiring sud-
den and vastly augmented outlay? 1t
is reasonable that sufficient answer be
made to these questions in order to
justify the proposition nov under
consideration. 1t will not do to tell
us that there are other districts which
have levies of from one to two dollars
on the hundred dollars assessed valua-
ton. The most inexcusable extrav-
agance and NAL administration might
be indicated in that way. One year
ago l ~cheerfully voted for an increas-
ed levy, believing that it would be
only temporary, and that the succeed
ing years would restore the former
reasonable rate. Instead Of such con-
summation, last years advance in out
lay is again required, and no halt for
the coming years is indicated. On the
contrary the High School fad has taken
hold, and, judging from the past since
its adoption, the volume of expendi-
ture will grow and keep growing, out
of all proportion to desirable service
rendered. The pay for teachers in
1911 was $4,000; in 1912, $685.; in 1918,
$4065. 1t is true we have a nine
months school as against the eight
months terms of years prior to 1912.
And herein, to my mind, lies a grave
allegation against the present adj
ministration of the district. For
twenty years, or more, the question
of length of school term had been
submitted, at each recurring election,
to the voters-to the people who,
bearing the burden of taxation, we're
held to have the right to determine
the amount thereof, within the laws
limit. But in the year 1912 the school
board, bent on establishing a High
School, will ye, mill We, refused to sub
NIT to thetax-payers the,determination
of length of term and in it's greater
wisdom settled the question for us. So
we have the nine months term neces
sary to the coveted High School with
its attendant furbelows and %aounces.
Has greater school efficiency resulted?
l step back and am willing that every
patron answer as the spirit moves
him. Not a dollar of last years taxes
has been expended on the school
buildings and premises, which, | am
sure, sorely need amending. There
is no money for such purpose, we are
told, notwithstanding the increase of
taxation. But we have the High
School and so may "articulate''-
that's a mighty sounding word-may
"articulate" with the University and
the Normals. Perhaps this ought to
satisfy reasonable people-perhaps.
But l, being an old fogy, hold that a
few branches in education thoroughly
taught are far more desirable than a
thin spreading out over a full collegi-
ate course; that during the years that
pertain to public school age the ''three
RS" will give full planting to the fall
low mind of youth; that, if after &C
curing all that such a hrs may give
him, the pupil aspires to higher things
he ought to provide them for himself ,
and not ask them at my expense. For
these reasons, if there were no other,
1 shall vote against the proposed o.
cent levy.
Easter shopping made easy by max
your selections from our large stocks.
LOPEZ STORE Co.
Mann Items.
Mrs. A.. N. Nipper called on Mrs. T.
L. Standby last Tuesday afternoon.
Walter Switzerland of Bismarck
was a business caller at Mann last
Wednesday.
Arthur Bond went to Iron Mountain
last FridBy.
Florence Bond was the guest of
Ruby Thompson last Sunday.