The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-05
Letters From the People
Martins Reply

Editor Waterman.
To ali intelligent thoughtful far seeing
high-minded influential, above reproach, destitute
of SUSPICION, honesty of purpose, void of malice,
of clear conscience possessed of wisdom, ntegri-
tv cultured brains, sound minds, frmness, reason
able intellect builders of schools, preservers of
peace, thermometers, aiders, men who think before
they shoot off their bazzoo, lovers of peace and
harmony, lovers of children and respectors of all
humanity, believers in the ten commandments, re-
spectors of God-our creator, pittiers OF those
possessed Of anmosity, strifeS and who sorrow TOR
the divisionist spleen venters, disturbers, talt
finding antagonists, narrow minded, short sight
ed filibusters the would be rule or ruin boss, and
innumerabe so on's citizens, you are the par
ties addressed in my communication OF February
the 10Th.
Knowing you are of the type of citizenship
from which all progress flow. Why should others
butt-in with fit of deirium as If to save ourI
dear people from a never to be rescued calamity.
Strange isn't it, that inspite of better judgement,
some people are always ready to display their
composition or makeup.
Yes gentlemen, my COMMUNICATION was M
the interest of public schools and directed to moi
other than the very best type of manly people
(such as described above) for your serious consid
Grafton, after which have every confidence in
your approval.
My communication stated that in some dis
trcts the terms for collecting special taxes had eX
pred and others expiring with 1915, with no refer
ence to voting special 1915 tax. | realize the
| fact that under such strenuous financial condl-
tons, as now exists, the most progressive citl-
zens would be oath to vote more taxes, but taking
in to consideration, that the out going terms for
special taxes will diminish to about the amount OF
increase by voting another special tax would a.
mount to, but little if any more than at present.
further realize that it takes time for thorough
sitting for any and all progressive moves in order
to be sure of success Therefore, the opportune
time for sitting is now, that favorable conclu-
sion be made and the special tax voted in time for
available means in 1916.
The kind of citizen to whom this is directed
is certainly aware that appropriation from the
general fund is WIDELY inadequate to the occa-
sion of supplying the needed funds for the main
tenance of our public schools You know we had
out few if any, public schools worth mention be
fore the advent of special taxes. You also know
> that reasonable amount of special taxes are
necessary for the continuance and maintenance OF
; the public schools.
You are to consider whether or not a parish
wide tax would be more appropriate, in effect,
> than the district tax You certainly are aware,
=, to vote special parish wide tax would create NJ
more burden than to vote special district tax
TO vote parish wide tax each pupil Throughout
! the parish would be entitled to an equal prorat;
share of all special taxes voted and collected
} from both, residents and non-residents, thus en-
e abEng your.schools to run even length of terms
e e The present School Board was forced to borrow
u Sc, 600 to pay back Indebtedness, for which W.
Il should not be condemned.
You are certainly not stupid enough not t.
know that there has been less friction in the pub
l. lie schools of our parish the past year than il
'r previous years, except possibly the Grayson Hg
1t School, where the Christ like influence of my las
IS weeks critic so lavishly abound know
le am only human, liable to and do err but hav
t, not erred in proposing parish wide special schoe
n AK as the best means for the purpose of educat
~ ing your sons and daughters and you will find tn
as truth of my statement by applying the prope
thought If, perchance, there should be one wis
guy in our midst of such superior talent as to b
Or able to dictatea successful cureall remedy tina
~ would prove adequate to the occasion of success
- fully financing the public schools, other than thu
70 of taxation, how lucky we would be and what
+, boon to the tax payers. 1t certainly should be
8 criminal offense to suppress or with hold such
blessing to say the least Of it, to suppress sue
70 superior intellect would show mighty in the pei
sons makeup, besides inficting unnecessar
punishment on our hard pressed tax payers.
Yours to serve,
III G. T. MARTIN