The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-28

/ they know, of these facts, will hest!
i tate to provide the means; In fact at.
the last election held to raise more,
taxes to increase the salary Of teach--.
ers there were but two votes against
the increase Perhaps these tsao
citizens who voted not to levy taxes
! did not own any property at all and
we're so conscientious that they
thought it was wrong to vote taxes On
other peoples property to educate
poor peoples children. AS for my
part, as a citizen and taxpayer, am
perfectly willing to vote whatever IS
necessary to properly maintain OUT
schools, build Ill the new buildings
that are necessary, and to pay the
teachers a good salary, and will do
everything in my power to get every
vote I can for the same purpose, and
l hope the next time when the voting
comes that there will not be even tee
two conscientious voters who do not
care to vote to levy taxes on other
peples' property 10 educate other
peoples children, but: want to vote
to make every one who is a tax pay: !,
er pay taxes in proportion to the
property which he owns If one
should be SO fortunate as to own q
great deal of property ana :unfortu-
nate in having no children to send to
school, and another should be sc un-
fortunate as to have no property and
fortunate 10 have a good many chil.
dren TO send to school, then think
the man who is so fortunate as to
nave great deal of property anG un-5s
fortunate as to have no children to.
educate should be required to help
educate the poor mans children in
order that those children might
grow up and become good citizens and
protect the property Of the rich man,
protect civilization and raise our State
from near the bottom Of the States
in illiteracy to not near the top, but
20 the top.
What 1 have said is not because i
am personally interested in our local
schools. other than as a patron. s.
have no relative teaching in the.
schools, nor have any one who exs
poets to teach, but I know that the
teachers request is a Just one, be-, 2
:ieve that our citizens will endorse II
practically unanimously, I believe tbs
tax payers are perfectly willing to
furnish all the money necessary to
properly support and maintain our
schools, and will not permit our teach
ers to longer labor without beng rea.,
sonably compensated, nor will they
allow our schools 30 suffer in any sense
for the want of proper funds with
which to maintain them. -. -
therefore most earnestly suggest
10 the City Board Of Education that
hey take whatever steps are neces7
sary to give the people the opporttans
.ty TO vote upon the question OF rais-
ing more taxes for these purposes,
and as stated above, Z believe the leg
islature should be requested, Ell ther; by
the City Board of Education or by q
mass meeting of our citizens, to res
peal the cumbersome laws herein reS
ferred to and make it easy for; the 5
Board to have these issues passed
upon by the qualified electors: $. s.,
I beg your pardon, Mr. Editor
writing at length, but this is a vital
question. and as q citizen and tax
payer, 1 feel I have the right 10
speak on the question, and Z feel it mg
duty to do what L can to aid In g mat
ger of this kind. as feel am doing
aothng but simple justice to cur
teachers and to the school generally.
. Yours very truly .,s5ss y g ~, -. &
l. d. JENNINGS