The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-09-29

jefferson City, Mo-, Sept. 18.-lp
a statement today Secretary of State
Cornelius Roach, under the caption
"Who Has Been School Fund Loot
ing?" gives history of the Missou-
ri school fund. 1t is especially time
ly in view of the fact that Judge Hen
ry Lamm, the Republican nominee for
Governor, is devoting a good deal Of
his time in his campaign to that sub
ject.
Secretary Roach goes back to the
period from 1861 to 1872, when the
Republicans were in full charge in
Missouri, and shows that the only
real "looting" of the school fund took
place then.
He makes comparisons Of the school
money apportioned during 1905, 1906,
1907 and 1908, when Republicans were
custodians of the school moneys, and
during 1918, 1914, 1915 and 1916, with
the Democrats in charge.
The total increase by the Demo
Gratis over the Republicans is $685.
1894 for the four years, or an av-
erage of a little more than half a
million each year.
And all Of this was accomplished
under the same tax rate.
Roach Tells How 1t was Done,
The statement follows:
"The Democratic party has given
Missouri its splendid public school
system. In 1853 Democratic Legis-
lature provided that each year there
after one-fourth of the general reve-
nue. going into the State Treasury
should be set apart to the credit OF
the State school moneys. These funds
with the earnings and dividends aris-
ing from certain investments were to
be distributed annually to the counties
for the support of the common schools
This law, in 1875, was by the Demo
cratic party made part of the
State Constitution.
"Every year since 1853 that the
Democratic party had charge of State
affairs this law has been sacredly
complied with. After Democrats
were restored to power one-third, in
stead of one-fourth the ordinary rev.
enue was given to the schools. Only
once has there been any attempt to
loot the school children's money. That
was during the years from 1861 tc
1872, when the Republican party mis-.
ruled the State.
"From 1861 to 1867, inclusive, ne
part of the revenue fund was SET
aside for the school children, though
the Democratic law of 1853 stood un-
repealed. Every cent Of this money
for the school children was looted
for seven years. The receipts int
the revenue fund those years amount
ed to $7,225,913.31, One fourth o.
this, 81, 1904 SO, which should have
been distributed among the counties
was actually looted by the Republi
can party, then in control.
$3O6,47S Still Missing.
an 1867 the State received from
the United States $6,472,289 for wal
expenses. Out of this the Republi
cans set aside 81 100000 to reimburse
the school children. This was REIN
bursting $306,478.33 less than the
amount they had looted, not taking
into account the interest that was due
the school children on the principa
looted.
"From 1867 to 1872, the receipts
into the revenue fund amounted tt
$6,978, 287.96. One-fourth of this sum
$1,744,571.99, should have been giver
to the school children. The records
reveal that only 81, 1853, 053.32 was dis
tributed to the counties. During
these five years the little children
were looted out of 1851, 51867 by thu
Republican party. This made tota
from '61 to 70 Of 1887 1897 school funt
loot out of the revenue fund
"That was not the only school fund
looted. The school fund owned $661,-
967.96 Of stock in the Bank of thu
State of Missouri. The dividends
from this stock also should have beer
distributed to the counties. In 1861
1862, 1868, 1865 and 1867 not a CEN
from this source was given the LITTLE
children, and the records are silent as
to what these dividends were. Ii
1864 S169,685.56 of bank dividends was
distributed, and in 1866 $42,69a81
was distributed. During the years
1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871 and 1872
the sum of $43,094.10 was each yeal
Illegally withheld or looted, or a to
tai these six years of $258,56s.60
This makes total loot of 81 JAG, SOL &C
besides the amount mentioned as un.
known.
What Became of Bank Stock?
'In 1866 the Republicans sold the
bank stock for $71S,23525, of which
amount 1861, 967.96 belonged to the
school fund. The proceeds were moi