Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-10-23
suPPoRT AMENDMENT n. ;.
Article 255 of the Constituti

Article zoo OF the Constitution
provides that the Police Jury oil
each parish and the Municipal
Councils Of the incorporated cities
and towns throughout the State, the
Parish Of Orleans excepted, shall
annually collect and turn over to
the Parish School Board OF their re-
spective parishes, cities or towns,
the proceeds Of at least three mills
Of the annual tax which they are
empowered to. levy on each dollar
of the assessed valuation of the
property thereof, unless the Parish
School Board certify that the needs
OF the schools can be met by a
smaller levy Of such taxes.
Amendment No. 8 on the ballot,
proposes 10 exempt from the opera
ton Of this article Of the Constitu-
ton cities or towns which maintain
their own public schools, spending
in support Of same not less than
three mills On the dollar Of the an
nual assessment Of the town or city,
and which said schools, when 30 es-
tablished and maintained, shall be
free and open to the children of the
entire parish.
This amendment, If ratified by
the people, will affect but two cities
in the State-Lake Charles and
Monroe-which to-day have the best
High Schools in the State.
Several years ago both of these
cities built and equipped the most
modern High School buildings in
the State and are to-day operating
these school on City revenues, re-
ceiving not one dollar from the Par
ish or the School Board. and in
both cities the city schools are
opened free TO the children of the
entire parish, and are maintained
at the very highest degree of ef-
ficiency; and 10 require these cities,
in addition to supporting these
schools, to give three mills on the
city assessment to the Parish School
Board for general parish school pur-
poses. would mean that the magnif-
icent scAeols built up BY these two
cities would have to be abandoned.
The High School in the City of
Monroe was the hobby Of late Mayor
Fonythe, who for years had worked
at every session Of the Legislature
to have this amendment to the Con-
stitution submitted to the people,
and it was only at the last session,
when the Grim Messenger had al
ready called him, and>he had heard
the call, that he succeeded in his
long cherished hope Of having this
submitted to the peo-
pie; having full faith in the spirit
OF fairness OF the Louisiana people,
he knew that its submission would
mean its ratification by the people
OF bis beloved State.
The ratification Of this amend
ment can do no harm to any one,
but on the contrary will be of great
educational value to the people of
these two progressive cities,-Lake
Charles and Monroe.
We sincerely hope that the peo-
pie OF this parish. and the people
throughout the State will support
this amendment, thus saving from
practical ruin two Of the best High
in two Of the most progress.
i've cities in the State, and at the
same time justify the confidence
which the late Dr.. Forsythe, the
distinguished Mayor, of Monroe had
in the people Of the State which he
20 dearly loved, and let the High
School there remain as q monument
to bis labors and his love, and if
We knew the distinguished gentle
man,-and we think we did-we
know that be would ask no greater
or more lasting monument from the
people OF Louisiana than the ratifi.
cation Of this amendment.