St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1918-02-02

islature to enact such legislation a.
is needed to fix at one hundred pc,
cent the assessment in the parishes
for school purposes, in order that tx
three mill tax provided by the consti
tuition could be collected on the full
assessment. This would provide
fund of four million dollars for use
in the parishes to be dishursed
through the school boards.
Mr.. Harris estimates the amount
needed to properly u the schools OF
this state at seven million dollars.
The other million dollars would come
from poll taxes, 1nes, interest on six
teenth sections, and other permanent
funds.
1t is an indisputable fact that the
educational system q this state
needs more money! needs more
money, not only to make it better, but
to keep 1t at its present standard. A
school house that cost two thousand
dollars a year ago, costs four thousand
today, and everything needed to build
and maintain the schools has in
creased proportionsteIy. Il the edu-
cattona1 standard Of Louisiana is not
to be lowered. the system must have
more money.
Then, there is q threatened depie-
ton in the ranks OF the teachers OF
this state. Many Of the ablest young
school men have either volunteered or
been drafted, and their places must
be filed with competent men and wo-
men IL the schools are not to suffer.
Many Of the best lady teachers are
daily leaving the profession to ac-
cept positions in other lines Of work
with better and more attractive sal
aries. The abnormal business condi-
tons created by the war have opened
mp wondrous possibilities for men and
women Of fine educational attain
ments. The government itself has
taken many OF them, and more will
follow. They go where the salaries
are higher. The parish superinten-
dents recommended a gradual In
crease in the salaries Of all teachers.
1t appears our schools viii suffer
IL these funds are not provided
as Mr.. Harris suggests, or in some
other way, and the teaching profess
sion be made more attractive by an
Increase In salaries.
These extra taxes suggested by the
State and Parish Superintendents
will not add much of a burden on the
The revenue provided by
them will be sufficient TO justify the
adjustment of the special school
taxes in almost every instance.
Right here in Opelousas, we are pay
a special maintenance tax of
mills in order that our school
nay run the required nine months. If
We paid our parish school tax of
mills, as Mr.. Harris suggests,
,r a hundred per cent assessment,
instead of a forty per cent assess
nent as we pay at present, and abol-
sh the special maintenance tax, the
Increase would be very small.
we unhesitatingly lend our aid and
to these proposals, which, if
arried into effect, mean a better
EDUCATIONAL system for this state and
arish.
Our schools, and especially our
ublic schools, form the backbone Of
republic. In them the rich and
ocr are taught alike the highest
of the citizen. and all children
re equipped in q modest way for
le battle Of life. Really the public
EDUCATIONAL system is the greatest
we have, and the destinies {
! this nation are given over into its y
Our people should jealousy |
lard it and see that it keeps abreast
it'll the times.
SHOULD TAKE OUT IN