Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-12-29
TAXPAYERS WILL
/ NOT FEEL BURDEN
~ LEGISLATURE ADOPTS FiTL
HUoh's PLAN OF FINANc.
trG SCHOOLS
president state Board OF Eoucat'on
Explains To Governor
Richie.
On. HENRY N. FiTZhuGH
Westminster, Nd, Nov. 2S, 1921.

Westminster, Nd. Nov. 70, 1921.
Governor Albert C. Richie.
Annapolis. Maryland.
Ny dear Governor Richie:
At the time Of discussion OF tho
school budget in your office last We'd
assday. you stated that the money
raised by direct taxation is by law
dedicated nrst. to the bonded debt re-
suirements Of the State, and secondly,
to the schools. The conversation then
developed the fact that public educa'
ton 10 the only State activity that 10
supported principally out OF the al
rsctly levied tax, and that the institu-
tons caring for the sick, the INDECENT,
ths criminal, the insane, agriculture,
HIGHER education, etc, are supported
BY funds raised by indirect taxation.
Later you asked me II thought that
the public would stand for Q ten-cent
raise in the tax rate in order to carry
out the proposed program Of the State
Board of Education. The implication
sarrisd by this question was. take
\, that the demands Of other State
managed social activities would 30
reduce the general fund that the
schools would DO Obliged to go direct
" to the people for additional money.
have, since leaving your office,
been considering the status OF the
school budget under the existing meth.
ID of providing funds, and 1t seems
that the situation, which possibly
might embarrass the Executive, the
legislature, and the school system is
Substantially this
Everything but bond and school re-
suirements IL provided out Of the fund
raised by indirect taxation. If, after
everything else Is provided for, any
money remains in the general fund,
that money goes to supplement an
amount raised by direct taxation for
the support Of the schools. The schools
then are sustained from two sources,
both variable. The first source, name
ly. the general fund, contributes a
small proportion; and the second
source. namely, the direct tax. large
proportion. The first source Is not
under the close scrutiny Of the taxpay-
srs; the second, because it is on the
tax bill, is at all times under the
critical scrutiny not only Of the tax
payers but Of the politicians as we'll
A. both sources Of income vary, and
- the hrst Is by custom and law the
ono that supplies the other social &C.
uvities of the State, 1t naturally fol-
lows that the schools, by reason Of
being the residuary legatee, SO to
speak, are forced to levy taxes in d.
rect proportion to the degree OF ex-
pansion that the necessities OF the
other organizations demand. When
the schools, In order to meet the de-
mands OF progress, are forced to fall
back on funds derived from direct
taxes they are in position to be at
tackled by the uniformed public as
being extrayagant and as the sole
cause OF the increased tax rate. The
Arst source depends on and varies In
proportion to the needs Of other &C.
tivities; the second depends on and
varies with the experience. inclination,
and sense of expediency Of those who
decide at any particular time what
the rate 10 to be.
Now there are some features about
the school system Of the State that
are, perhaps. occasionally lost sight Of,
but which by reason Of their import
ancs must be recognized:
First: 1t is In direct touch
with q majority OF the families Of
ths State.
Second: 1t deals directly with
about q quarter of million chill.
drsn andis under the most critical
scrutiny Of their parents.
Third: It La o means provided
BY democracy to produce and
maintain such O constantly rising
level Of intelligence and informa-
ton as will insure q progressive
Improvement in the general char.
acter of our national life.
Fourth: 1t employs seven thou
sand persons who to very large
extent influence the fundamental
thoughts and characters OF
quarter Of million children dur.
ing the most impressionable
period OF their lives.
Fifth: It 10 the only institution
charged by the State with q uni
sal NJ
namely, that OF compelling the at.
tendance at school of the children
between the ages of seven and
seventeen years, regardless of the
! sect, color, social position or d.
nancial status Of the parents; and
F., most parents send their children
i TO- the public schools.
With the foregoing in mind. a. Q
assmber OF q Board the function Of
which It IL to represent the people in
the matter OF public education, to see
to 1t that the school facilities are ade-
quate. and 1t the same time sensible,
uniform and progressive, / wish to
protest against the method by which
The schools are financed because 1t
seems to be poor state policy to per-
init 20 fundamental an obligation AZ
the education OF children to remain in
o less secure position AZ regards its
revenue than are such other activities
NJ the care Of the sick, INDECENT, the
criminal. the insane, agriculture, high.
Or education. etc. The present method
IN effect Ascriminates 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 Il seems to b
poor State policy TO 90 arrange for