Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-12-15

Fourth: II employs seven thou
sand persons who to a very large
extent influence the fundamental
thoughts and characters OF a
quarter Of million children dur.
Ing the most impressionable
period o: their lives.
F.ftl: 1t Is the only institution
charged by the State with a uni
veraai compulsory obligation,
namely. that Of compelling the at
tendance al school Of the children
between the ages Of seven and
seventeen years. regardless OF the
sect. color. social position or A.
nancial status OF the parents: and
mos. parents send their children
20 the public schools.
With the foregoing in mind. as o
member OF a Board the function OF
which II is TO represent the people IN
the matter OF public education, to see
to IL that the school facilities are ade
Quate. and at the same time sensible
uniform and progressive, | wish to
the schools are financed because II
seems TO be poor state policy to per
init so fundamental an obligation as
the education OF children TO remain In
Q less secure position as regards It's
revenue than are such other activities
IS the care OF the sick. INDECENT. the
criminal. the insane. agriculture. high.
er education. etc. The present method
in effect discriminates against the
schools in favor OF all other social
activities that are assumed by the
State and financed by the public purse.
protest then:
First: That it seems TO be
poor State policy to so arrange for
the financing Of one fundamental
activity. l. e., the school system.
as to make 1t appear TO the tax
payers that its necessities are the
principal cause OF increased d.
rect State taxation.
Second: That IL seems to be
poor State policy so TO arrange
for the financing Of an institution.
l. Whose work is vitality funda-
mental
2. Which Is in direct contact
with the majority OF the people.
3. Which employs seven thou
sand professionally trained PEG
pie OF high grade.
4. Which Is operated for the
sole purpose Of promoting the 30
cial efficiency of our people.
5. Which Is now responsible
for the instruction OF q quarter OF
. million children.
s. Which Is under the direct
scrutiny of practically our whole
population. and
z. Which provides a service
the acceptance OF which Is COM
PEELED by law. as TO require II TO
be the only contender for money
raised by unpopular and generally
opposed direct taxation, and the
last 10 benefit by money raised by
generally invisible, unfelt, and
popular indirect taxation.
Third: That il seems to be
poor State policy 80 to arrange
for the financing OF the State edu-
calonal system as to have 1t de-
pend ON two variable sources o.
income. one OF which diminisheA
In direct proportion as the de-
mands OF other activities increase.
while the other depends directly
on the experience. inclination and
sense OF expediency OF those who
have the power to decide what the
direct tax rate shall be at any
particular time.
Fourth: That 1t seems to be
poor State policy so to arrange
for the financing of one funda-
mental State aided social activity,
!. e. the State educational system,
As TO cause IL 10 constantly irritate
the sore and sensitive pocket
nerves OF the taxpayers. while all
the other State aided social activi-
ties subsist on proceeds derived
from the taxpayers who are OBJ
funded by the anesthesia OF indi-
rect taxation.
And | suggest:
/. That 1t might be better State
policy 50 TO arrange for the financing
OF the several social activities that
each one. in the exact proportion that
II shares In the total State income,
be ratably represented In the direct
tax levy.
?. That II might be better State
policy 10 have the average taxpayer
realize what proportion of the State
income supports each State activity.
CThe average taxpayer has but little
thought and knowledge of the fact that
two-thirds of the State revenue is de.
rived from indirect taxation. and is Of
the opinion that public operations are
generally supported by the direct tax
that he pays each year. This impress
sion. while untrue. is the impression
OF the majority OF our people. and Il
follows that the average taxpayers
who now believe that the State in.
come Is Synonymous with tie proce, DIS
OF the direct levy. feel that the schools
are absorbing over 40Gs of the State
revenue when. in reality. they absorb
less than 20, of it. Therefore. the
average uainformed voter feels that
public EDUCATION IL an unGuly expens.
i've institution and until this misap-
prehension can be corrected. he will
be unwilling 10 give the support that
the schools reQuirel
The above is submitted with a full
realization that this Is one of your
busy times. but think you will. per.
haps, a-ree tina; the importance of the
matter Of the relative costs and re-
spJI:7i bi,it Is Of the State-a!ded social
activities from the direct tax point of
view. and the equitable and ra;abIe
distribution OF the senegA fund. justt
fies our Intrusion.
Yours very truly.
(SiCusdD HENRY ". FITZHUGH,
Pres idert State rrerd Of Education.
For Sale