The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-10

one in our educational system Jpon
 nis shoulders rests the responsibility Tor the life and character of country
 schools. Right here in Alabama there
 are many of them who have thoroughly
 demonstrated faithfulness, a zeal an
 enthusiasm and devotion that would
 make us resent any Legislation looking toward narrowing the field of his in | fInence. Not only will I not lend my assistance to any measure that would
 interfere with the power of the coun- | ty superintendent to influence for good the schools under. his supervision, but 1 l will oppose with all my might every measure which I believe will so hinder | him in his work.
 l lover ? per cent of school revenue in | the United States is raised by local tax | alton, the portion varying from 97 per
 cent in Massachusetts to 24 per cent i.l
 Alabama. We should note, too, that Ala I bama gets 70 per cent of her funds from I the state tax, while sachusetts only ] derives per cent of her money in that l way And it is a still more significant fact that those states that stand high est in educational qualifications raise at least half of their funds from local
 sources, while those furthest down the | scale and nearest Alabama, raise most or their funds in some other way. The justice. the wisdom, and the necessity
 or local taxation for educational pur-
 roses sufficient to supplement the state
 fund and large enough to encourage a dlle measure of local bride and initiative cannot be successfully combatted by any ratriotic American citizen in the light or American experience and practice
 There are just two reasons why, after all the agitation we have had on local taxation for 20 years. we have made so Httle progress toward securing it. that 1 are of especial concern to you IS teach | a Jeet Of taxation discussed except in the | home at taxpaying time, and then In the | most censorious fashion. The child hae | it fngraned into him that taxation is an evil that is only to be borne if it can nor be resisted. If for a quarter of a century our teachers had been explaining to their pupils that it Is a public duty and a. privilege to pay a tax in support or the government rather than pass if 1 over as we have done with the mere aca- ocinic treatment of the subject contained in the ordinary civil government text pGok, we would be rid of the false as- Sessinent valuations that are so prevalent and it would be entirely unnecessary for me 10 have discussed this subject with Fou tonight. The second reason growsI out or the Tact that, as teachers we hay, not been able to agree upon a policy and then loyally work for it; and I sus- pect mat IT we wait undl our own ideals
 Nh'e tiic odSis LOT agreement, the re- lef we need will be delayed at least an- other generation
 Local taxation, my friends, is coming in Alabama. Whether 1t shall come at the next legislature, or at the next, or the next, or the next depends in a large measure upon your own activity. If we ever get 1t, we shall have to fight for fl Our liberties, which have almost all been won In battles over taxation, can only De by struggles oY the same sort and beg you tonight to tptoe a little, ook over and beyond the confines of all narrow and selfish interests cease dis trusting the taxpayers of our common state, stop trying to preserve the anti luated and the obsolescent, and unite to give to Alabama an equitable and an adequate school revenue system. Will you not consecrate yourselves anew to- lnsht to the cause of education and pledge to Alabama your loyal and unselfish in- diVidual and united efforts?"