The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-12-08


seventeen years, regardless of the
sect, color, social position or finan-
cial status of the parents; and most
parents send their children to the
public schools.
With the foregoing in mind, as
member of the Board the function of
which it is to represent the people in
the matter of public education, to see
to it that the school facilities are adj
equate, and at the same time sensi-
BILE, uniform and progressive, l wish
to protest against the method by
which the schools are financed be-
cause it seems to be poor State policy
to permit SO fundamental an obliga-
ton as the education of children to
remain in a less secure position as
regards its revenue than are such
other activities as the care of the
sick, INDECENT, the criminal, the in
sane, agriculture, higher education,
etc. The present method in effect dis
eliminates against the schools in ia
vor of all other social activities that
are assumed by the State and fnan-
ced by the public purse.
/ protest then:
First, That it seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for fnanc-
ing of one fundamental activity, i. e.,
the school system, so as to make it
appear to the taxpayers that its ne
cessities are the principal cause of
increased direct State taxation.
Second, That it seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for the
financing of an institution whose work
is vitality fundamental, that is in di-
rect contact with tn emajority of the
people, that employs seven thous-
and professionally trained people of
high grade, that is operated for the
sole purpose of promoting the social
efficiency of our people, that is now
responsible for the instruction of a
quarter of a million children, that is
under the direct scrutiny of practi-
cally our whole population, and that
provides a service the acceptance of
which is compelled by law, as to re-
quire it to be the only contender for
money raised by unpopular and gen.
orally opposed direct taxation, and
the last to benefit by money raised
by generally invisible, unfelt and
popular indirect taxation.
Third, That it seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for the
financing of the State educational
system as to have it depend on two
variable sources of income, the one
diminishing in direct proportion as
the demands of other activities in
crease; and the other depending di.
rectly on the experience, inclination
and sense of eXpediency Of those who
have the power to decide what the
direct tax rate is to be at any partic
ular time
Fourth, That it seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for the
financing of one fundamental State
aided social activity, i. e., the State
educational. system, as to cause it TO
constantly irritate the sore and SEN
sitive pocket nerves of the tax-pay-
ers, while all the other State aided
social activities subsist on proceeds
derived from the Taxpayers who are
obtunded by the anesthesia of indi
rect taxation.
And l suggest
That it might be better State pol
icy to so arrange for the financing
of the several social activities that
each one, in the exact proportion that
it shares in the total State income,
be ratably represented in the direct
tax levy.
That it might be better State pol
icy to have the average taxpayer
realize wha proportion of the State
income supports each State activity.
NAhS oNSldSC dA-plytl lldo DuI llIIlc
thought and knowledge of the fact
that two-thirds of the State reve-
nue. is derived from indirect taxation,
and is of the opinion that public OPP
erations are generally supported by
the direct tax that he pays each year.
This impression, while untrue, is the
impression of the majority of our
people, and it follows that the aver
age taxpayers who now believe that
the State income is synonymous with
the proceeds of the direct levy, feels
that the schools are absorbing over
40 per cent of the State revenue,
when, in reality, they absorb less
than 20 per cent of it. Therefore,
the average uniformed voter feels
that public education is an unduly
expensive institution and until this
misapprehension can be corrected, he
will be unwilling to give the support
that the schools require).
The above is submitted with full
realization that this is one of your
busy times, but l think you will, per-