The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1914-05-09
TO VOTE ON z MILL LEVY
Election June 9 to Decide Whether
Education viii be Advanced
in Lincoln.

To all people who believe in Edu
eating Their Children:
The department Of Education
recognizing the necessity of getting
an additional levy of two mills fol
school purposes, presented peti
tion to the Board Of Supervisors al
its meeting in May, and the Boarl
in accordance with law, ordered au
election on the question, said elec
tion to be held June 9th. AS pre-
viously shown in these columns,
our school fund is very low, and M
one in particular and every one ir
general, responsible for it. Lin,
coin county has been noted for tht
excellence of her schools. In spite
of the fact that the term last ses.
sion was shorter than usual, We
did good work. But in order Il
continue it, we must have an addi
tIonaI levy. Why? First, because
SO many people see fit to give ir
their mules worth $3.50, at $50, anc
several other things in proportion,
In 1911, approximately $1,000
was collected for polls. Up to the
first of May, 1914, about 50, 900 haG
been collected. Who is to blame
for this? You may say, Compel
the delinquents to pay up Thai
would be an excellent idea, but we
will have to get a law passed fol
that purpose before it can be done
That law could be passed by the
next Legislature, that is in 1916.
1t would become operative for the
tax collecting period of 1917, anc
would relieve the situation in 1918.
We can't wait until then. We
want temporary relief"
The last legislature passed a Law
authorizing the Rural School with
not less than twelve square miles,
to levy an additional tax for the
extension of the term, or the
supplementing of salary.
Now that is a good law; but
what will it mean? Simply this,
The larger schools will soon be hav.
ing long terms, and the best OF
teachers, and the smaller districts
will be forced to put up with what
they can get. Several districts
have .petitioned for separate dis.
tricts That is fine idea, but il
means the withdrawal of the best
property from the general levy fol-
all the schools, and will further
work hardship on the small dis.
trict. Bat that is the law, and
when they have complied there.
with, there is no alternative.
What is the remedy? Let every
one interested in a longer term,
and better school teachers, get
busy, and help US to win in the
election June 8. But you say that
we are already taxed to death. In
the entire state, we stand 18th
from the top in the matter of levy
for schools. Franklin CO unity has
above 3 mills, and in addition, is
supporting an Agricultural High
School. So we are not in a posi-
tion to poke fun at our sister coun-
ty. She holds out her hands to us
and says Come up a little high
err"
In discussing this, | have found
two classes of people opposed to the
levy. The one class takes the posi-
tion that it will work a hardship
on an oppressed people-oppresSed
with the burden of taxation. And
when | have sounded them to the
bottom ! have invariably found
that they would not be effected rs
cents by the increase. The other
class might be called General
Calamity Howlcrs. :"
Copiah county has a levy of
mills. We need only We nov
have 2 and want 2 more. In few
days I'll submit the matter in con,
densed form, showing the actual
decrease in property, etc.
Beginning next Monday I'll visit
the election precincts, in company
with the Circuit Clerk, and wouIc
appreciate it if you would meet III
there and let us fully explain it tt
you. When you understand tht
matter, / know that out of the
goodness of your heart, and the
love you have for yours and you
neighbor's children, you will be
one of the first to vote in favor o.
the levy.
Let me know what kind of /
teacher you want.
2. C. HODGES,
Co. Supt. Education.