Smyrna times., 1920-03-24


the business medium not only for the town it
represents. but for the outlying district of
which it is the centre, embracing the towns
Of Clayton. Kenton. Cheswold Townsend.
Leipsic, &c. A rate of so cents inch for
first insertion and 25 cents for each subse-
quent insertion will be charged for trans
lent advertising. Locals and Reading Noti-
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discount on all semi-annual and yearly ad-
Vrrtisements.
OFFICE-Next Door to the Fruit Growers
National Bank
TELEPHONE NO. 10.
The Delaware Legislature convened
in special session at Dover Monday
and there is lively interest over the
Suffrage, School Code and other ques-
tions. In this vicinity the school code
is one of paramount interest and far
mers generally want to see the code
satisfactory amended. AS the Sussex
Republican pertinently says:
"The Governor has recommended
that this special session enact legis-
lation to relieve the real estate. of
this State of the great burden of tax
alton laid upon it by the added ex-
pense of the maintenance of our pub
lie schools. Under the present tax
laws of this State real estate is bear
ing an inequitable and unjust share of
county and school expenses. Other
forms of wealth pay little or no part
in these expenses, and the increased
cost of permanent road construction
and school maintenance has increased
the tax on real estate to an unbear-
able amount.
Ninety per cent of the objection
to the new School Code is based on
the increased taxation necessary for
its maintenance.
SCHOOLS are of primary impor-
tance; school laws of secondary i'm
portance.. School laws will no mo3e
make good schools than laws will
make good people. Good school laws
are necessary, but the teacher is the
main factor in school life. A compe-
tent teacher will make a successful
school anywhere, be the school laws
good or bad. But the better equip
ment the teacher has the better work
that teacher will do.
"The teacher in any community
has the biggest job in that community
The principal in any special district
has the biggest job in that town.
The County Superintendent who dir
ects the education of several thousand
children in any county has the big
gest job in that county. These teach
ers are not dealing with material
things but with the lives of boys anC
girls. Day laborers are receiving
more pay than the average schoo
teacher; railroad brakemen more thar
the principals of our schools, ant
some railroad conductors more thai
Our County Superintendents.
"Just what we put into our school
we will get out of them. If w
starve our schools we will starve III
minds of cur children. To get tn
best we must pay the best price. T
get the best teachers we must pay th
best salary. 1t is a question of nor
money for our schools. How an
where are you going to get it?Re
pealing the School Code will not do i
Re-enacting the old school laws wi
rot do it.
"Ihe Governor has suggested tha
a larger amount of the States none
be apportioned for school purpose
This is the first time that Legislatul
in this State has had an opportunit
to relieve real estate of some of Il
burden of taxation. The State h;
several sources of income. It's il
conc .arge. Can it be expend
more wisely than for the benefit
our schools? Their every need c;
thus be supplied and real estate
relieved of the great burden of tax
tiOn which now rests upon it" =