Milford chronicle., 1920-06-04
NO DOMINATION OF SCHOOLS
BY A FAVORED FEW.
CFrom Morning News)

(From Morning News)
The amendment to the School Code
by the House of Representatives at
Dover providing for plural voting is
most extraordinary. 1t certainly can
not become a law. 1t turns the hands
of the clock back to the days Of prop
erty qualifications as basis for vOt-
ing. 1t shows an entire lack of con-
hdence not only in the citizens as
such, but in those who would have
charge OF our school affairs. Further
more, it shows by implication a lack
OF confidence in those who have la
bored so zealously for the promotion
OF better education in Delaware.
Under this amendment something
unheard of in this later day, before
bonds could be issued for school pur-
poses there would be a referendum
vote not of the ordinary kind. There
would be one vote for each dollar or
fraction thereof paid in taxes for
school purposes. The direct effect OF
this would be that a small oligarchy
of property holders in a district could
overwhelm with their ballots the
great masses Of the voters. They
could easily and effectively check ed
ucational progress. 1t would be a
rule by an oligarchy, the very reverse
of republican principles and abhor-
rent to the American conception Of
government. Certainly Delaware does
not want to take so disastrous a
plunge into the ages that have pass
ed.
Mr.. Pierre S. dupont stressed the
point that under the Code bonds for
school purposes could be issued with
in only five per cent of the assessed
valuation of the property Of district.
This provision itself should be sufti-
cient protection to the taxpayers.
There was also a justifiable intima-
ton by him that if the people of the
State, through their legislative repre-
sentatives, could not trust those who
represent them on the school board,
private individuals might not be in
clined to subscribe in aid of the pub
lie schools. There is deep signifi-
canoe in this remark, and it should be
needed. In the past it has been the
custom for men to subscribe to col
leges and universities. We can recall
no citizens in other States who have
broken the ice in philanthropic en-
uEdNQI anu AcANG 5ANNh eAA0
pressed a willingness to give large
sums for the promotion OF puDllc
education-public schools. Delaware
has been peculiarly blessed in that
a private citizen has entered so en-
Enthusiastically into the cause OF public
education and devoted personal time
talents and money for most laudable
object.
There has been a strange, a mys-
terious conception in some parts OF
the State about this whole move
ment for better education in Della
ware. This misconception famed forth
in the amendment we have been dis
cussing. There has been an idea that
some individuals were seeking to i'm
nose an autocratic school system and
burden the people with unbearable
taxes. There has never been any
such purpose in mind. And If 1t should
develop, taking the worst possible
phase of it, the means of redress
would always be in the hands OF the
people. -
Recently we called attention to the
low rank of Delaware schools as com
pared with other States. The sole and
patriotic and praiseworthy purpose OF
those who have deeply concerned
themselves in the movement FOR bet
ter schools in Delaware is to lift the
I State TO a higher place, perform prop
erly the duty the State owes its chill
dren. and fit them better to earn liY-
! ing and to become highly intelligent
patriotic and staunch citizens.
Delawareans, this movement FOR
| better schools should be cordially
supported. 1t should not be knocked
in the head by blast Of ancient ideas,
bv so grotesque a proposal as that
which would establish an aristocrarcy
of property owners who could veto
reasonable proposals for the better
ment of schools and throttle the
friends of progress and higher anu
| better education.
Think of what an improved school
system would mean for the State II
would mean a better place in which
| to live. 1t would enhance the value
| oAl the fine farms throughout Della
ware. 1t would make the State more
attractive to home seekers for such
always inquire about the education
| facilities. It would tend to keep Del
awareans at home and thus add to
/ the energetic forces laDorlnS Ior tne
development of our State. 1t would
promote patriotism and civic pride. II
would equip the children Of Delaware
tso we'll that firmly and confdentally
/ they would enter the grim battle oi
/ life.
A better school system is too grave
a matter to be placed in the hands Oh
small cOterie Of property owners II
district who might for parsimonioh
or selfish reasons block any attempt
=; ;,,,tttt5.T5ii5fi. ,,,tttt5T5ii5fi The day Of nrnrn@rfy
qualifications as a test Of the fitness
10 vote has passed. 1t was discarded
years ago. And it will not return in
Delaware to faunt our people as lack
ing in confidence toward democratic
institutions. We want no danger ol
rule by a coterie Of owners Of proper
ty who under this amendment misn
become Educational Cars.
NEW STATE VETERINARIAN
The term Of DR.. H. P. Ewes as State
borrfpn nXnirnH nm Ma1