The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-03-20
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDED
FOR THE MASSES

This newspaper mas noI aei"eu iito 'ii9
proposal with view to ascertaining the
exact grounds upon which such opposition
as has developed to the nine months school
wear in Hendersonville is based; but the
talk floating around leads to the conciu-
sion that it is chiefly founded upon opposi-
ton to taxation, or to increasing taxes, 10
nroyide for another month of pubic
schools and thus expand and improve the
local system.
The Times-News' position in reference
to the problems of taxation is well known
We believe taxation is running wild in the
State and in the nation; and that ultimate
ruin of the country may result if present
ideas as to spending public money and I'M
posing taxes continue in the ascendancy IN
our handling of public affairs.
However, we would practice economy IN
public spending in the right places and IN
the right ways and would not discontinue
or curtail public services which are essen
tial The public money wasted in North
Carolina each year would go far toward
giving the State the public school system
il ought to have; and the tax money squan-
dered, by the federal government would
finance the greatest public school and high
er educational system ever dreamed OF; but
to bring the discussion back to our local
problem, we conclude that the people OF
this community cannot afford to turn down
the, proposal to make the stated improve
ments in the school system because OF the
cost, or the imposition of II to 10 cents
additional tax, on each hundred dollars OF
assessed property valuation.
The business of the country is stagger-
ing, under tax loads. That statement APP
plies in this community as it does else
where; but in spite of that fact, we believe
a large majority of the business men OF
Headersonville school district approve OF
the, movement to build better public
school, system here. We believe the bust
ness men of the community, and citizens
paying the larger amount of taxes here,
will willingly undertake to carry the ao-
ditipnal small assessment necessary to
finance school expansion and Improvement.
Now, a pertinent question is, Will the
small taxpayers, or those who pay no taxes
at all, meet their obligation to the children
and young people of the community in the
same. cheerful spirit manifested by the
hard pressed and burdened business mer
and Employers of the community!
the small taxpayers, or the non-taxpay
ersii probably have more children to 81
schbNed than the last named classes; ant
the. educational advantages offered by I'M
publlA schools are the only such advan
tapnsia large majority of these children
will ever have. An adequate public schoo
systahf can give them what they must haV
as az aid to good citizenship and to qua
lify hem in large measure for efficien
living, for the solution of their prlmar,
problem of making a living.
II those citizens who have no childre
to educate, or who are in position to edu
cate their children. in private schools an
collfes, stand ready to assume the large
parfof the cost of this progressive move
mehtE. it does seem that those to whom WI
go tke greater part Of the BENEFITS, at tn
least total cost, ought to be glad to accer
and assume their part of the obligatio
and Ne expense.
Judging the spirit of the community b
thet record of Hendersonville in its pa
attaade to progressive movements, an
especially a strong and widespread dew
tiot to public school education, The Time
News is convinced that we shall have
election day an outpodrins of the men a