St. Tammany farmer., 1917-02-17
|MANDEVlLLIAN
MAKES APPEAL
SCHOOL TAX
Criticises Oppositions Meth
Ods and Gives Statement
of the Facts.
SOME TRYING TO
BRIGHTEN WOMEN.
3-Mill Tax Expires Next
Year and 3-4 Special
Tax Also.

| 1t is very apparent that a plair
expression of facts is at this time
not only apropo but quite necessary
in view of the false and malicious
statements and vicious rumors thai
have been set afioat by some OF the
misguided individuals opposing the
proposed special school tax soon te
be voted on.
Among the loudest shouters of the
opposition are number OF men who
object to spending a red copper OF
their own, irrespective of whatever
general good it may do, but who are
ever ready and over-willing to spend
the other fellows dollar whether he
wants to or not They own land and
property which they will neither sell
nor improve, selfishly hoping to dis
pose of same at fabulous sums, yet
too ignorant to perceive that their
own miserly actions are preventing
the very opportunities for which they
are keenly looking forever publicly
bemoaning the lack of local improve
ment they Malta like, stab in the
, back any forward movement, unless
they can see in it some personal
gain.
Some say, 81 have no children to
educate, to hell with the other fel-
lows" a statement so heartless and
contemplate as to merit no notice.
Some are trying to frighten the
women taxpayers, a majority OF
whom, be it said to their credit, favor
the proposition, ,by saying that the
tax will be double the present rate
when as a matter of fact the tax will
be graded one, growing less from
year to year, as the bonds are taken
up; and right here it should be re-
membered that the st, T. & N. o.
r. & F. Cos. 3-mill tax will expire
next year, that the ga mill special
state tax is paid only one year, 1917,
and that the parish police jury, at
the request of the town council. has
reduced the parish tax by mills,
so that within two years the taxpay-
er will be paying LESS than at pres
ent, INCLUDING the proposed
speciaF school tax, and will have a
new school house in Vaudeville on
an improved school system, and an
improved school system in Lewis
burg and Houltonville, as we'll as
here.
Some have stated that the negr
school was to be placed next to the
white school, and others that it was
to be placed under the whites in the
same building, a statement SO pre-
posterous that it is nauseating and
could only. originate with molly
coddles typical Of some of the oppo-
nents. No, gentle reader, there will
be no such mixture; but the colored
children in their own school separate
and away from the white children
will be given four If not five
months session instead of the three
months now allotted to them.
Some are saying that some of the
opponents are such because of their
expectant realization of personal
profits; for instance, that the present
school directors energy is due to a
desire to sell more school books, ETC.,
that, another and one of the largest
taxpayers in the ward expects ito
dispose of land in the wilderness at
an enormous price, that is otherwise
unstable, for a school site; that an
other, at present a town official, will
be appointed school inspector. Lies,
all dies born of malcontent and des-
peration in a win by fair or foul
means" campaign.
Some are saying that the school
is to be built In the woods, far away
from the center of the town. Abso-
lutely ridiculous. The site has not
been selected, not even thought of.
1t is self-evident proposition that
the tax must be voted before any
positive action can be taken; then.
after a consultation with the taxpay-
ers. the location as we'll as all other
matters connected with the school
will be decided with view OF doing
the greatest good for the greatest
number.
Some are saying that the money
received from the tax will be used to
pay for teachers, equipment and i'm
orovements in other schools. Sense
less and absurd; for the very mo-
ment that one cent of this fund
should be diverted to any other pur-
pose whatsoever than the building Of
a new school in Vaudeville and the
maintenance and improvement Of all
the fourth district schools. any tax
payer would be. privileged to step in
to court, prevent the payment Of the
tar and prosecute the offender. This
ia the law and should be remember
ed and Needed In preference to the