The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1917-09-29
ton of the Parish covered by the
original contract.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


original contract.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
We find the books and accounts
of the Parish School Board prop
erly kept, and the balance in the
bank corresponding with the
amount reported by the Treasurer.
We have examined tentative
statement of probable receipts and
disbursements for 1917-lS, cub
mitted to US by the Parish Super
intendent of Public Schools, and
note with alarm that there will
probably be deficit of S12 900 90
in the school fund during the next
nine months. There was de- felt
in the past school year of Sl2,-
600 90.
In our examinatio of the esti-
mate Of necessary expenses of
operating the schools, it is not
apparent to US how any reduction
| can be made without impairing
the efficiency of the school eye
tenn. We are rather of the opin-
ion that the estimate is too con.
sentative. as it does not provide
for additional teachers that will
be needed in sections of the Par.
ish where recent Developments
are enlarging the enrolment of
scholars.
Each member of this Grand
Jury realizes the Importance of
placing our scnool affairs on
cash basis, as no business con-
Germ can succeed while burdened
with q constantly increasing de-
fcit.
We have called before US many
of our prominent citizens and in
terviewed them as to what should
be done to give relief to the school
board. Many plans have been
suggested, aud after a thorough
investigation we have concluded
to recommend that special tax
be voted throughout the Parish to
secure the funds necessary.
We wish to call the attention of
the Assessor and the Sheriff to the
law with reference to collecting
poll taxes from each male citizen
between the ages of 81 and so
which is not being complied with.
Only S262S IS was paid to the
School Board from this source in
1916. The Clerk of Court is not
collecting poll taxes from witness
and jury fees as he should, and as
the law requires him to do.
While we realize that to collect
poll taxes from every taxable per.
son in the Parish would entail a
lot of work, we think that, with
very little fort 100000 addition.
al could be obtained from this
source. and the School board
needs the money.
GENERAL.
We wish to refer to the report
of the last Grand Jury to collect
from the Atchafalaya Ship Chan
mel Company. an overpayment of
more than $4,000 90. We find
that no action has been taken on
this matter and no explanation
has been given the public as to
correctness OF the Grand Jury's
contention. We take occ aston
now to say that the Police Jury
should advise the public through
its published proceedings, what
action 1t has taken with reference
to the supposed Indebtedness of
the Ship Channel Company.
In closing we will state that we
have given the matters brought
before Us careful and painstaking
consideration; that we have made
no recommendation lightly. and
respectfully commend the sub.
jects herein reported to the earnest
attention of your Honor and Of
every other citizen and taxpayer
Of the Parish.
We wish to thank your Honor
and all OF tbs Court, Parish and |
other officials for their kind and
courteous attention given Us dur.
ing our Investigations.
We submit this as our f1nal re.
port, and ask that we be dis.
charged, subject to call
c. D KEMPER.
Foreman.
Received and filed Sept 20, 1917.
WILBUR H KRAMER,
Clerk.