The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-01-05

u LAAAidiI TIC lhSdHCt dSIlCulJuISJ u1S II
sr education, etc. The present methot
IN effect discriminates against thu
schools in favor of all other socia
activities that are assumed by th'
State and financed by the public purse
protest then:
First: That it seems to DO
poor State policy to so arrange for
the financing of one fundamental
activity, i. e., the school system,
as to make it appear to the tax
payers that its necessities are the
principal cause of increased d.
: rect State taxation.
Second: That it 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.
8. Which employs seven thou
sand professionally trained peo-
pie Of high grade.
4. Which is operated for the
sole purpose Of promoting the So
cial efficiency of our people.
5. Which is now responsible
for the instruction of quarter OF
a million children.
6. Which is under the direct
scrutiny of practically our whole
population, and
7. Which provides a service
the acceptance of which is CON-
PEELED by law, as to require it to
be the only contender for money
raised by unpopular and generally
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 so to arrange
for the financing of the State edu-
cauonal system as to have It de-
pend on two variable sources of
income, one of which diminishes
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 it 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 it TO 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 l suggest:
l. That It might be better Stat
policy so 10 arrange for the financin
OF the several social activities tina
each one, in the exact proportion tina
it shares in the total State income
be ratably represented in the direc
tax levy.
2. That it might be better Stat
policy to have the average taxpaye
realize what proportion of the Stat
income supports each State ACTIVITY
CThe average taxpayer has but littl
thought and knowledge of the fact tina
two-thirds of the State revenue is d.
rived from indirect taxation, and is {
the opinion that public operations ar
generally supported by the direct ia
that he pays each year. This impTe
sion, while untrue, is the impressio
of the majority of our people, and
follows that the average taxpayer
who now believe that the State il
come is synonymous with the proceed
of the direct levy, feel that the school
are absorbing over 400 of the Stat
revenue, when, in reality, they absor
less than 20Gc of it. Therefore, tn
average uniformed voter feels tina
public education is an unduly expen
i've institution and until this m;sa]
prehension can be corrected, he wi
be unwilling to give the support the
the schools require)
The above is submitted with a flu
realization that this is one of you
busy times; but l think you will, pc
haps, agree that the Importance of tn
matter of the relative costs and r.
sponsjbilites of the State-aided socia
activities from the direct tax point {
view. and the equitable and ratabl
distribution of the general fund, just
fees our intrusion.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) HENRY N. FITZHUGH,
President, State Board of Education.
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