SCHOOL DEBTS.
Mr. Jones' bill [H. R. 316], to authorize township trustees to levy a tax, annually, in addition to that now authorized by law, not exceeding twenty-five cents on the hundred dollars, for the purpose of liquidating debts incurred for the construction and repairs of school houses, and for school apparatus, and declaring an emergency, was taken up on the third reading. Mr. J. said: The bill is specially desired in my county of Madison. It will be probably entirely local in its effect - the township to which it is intended to apply being indebted - for these purposes to the extent of $12,000.
Mr. Woollen. This is simply for the purpose of enabling the people to tax themselves to pay their debts.
Mr. Shirley objected to the bill, because the law now allows the trustees to levy a school tax to the extent of twenty-five cents on the $100, and this allows twenty-five cents more, which is too heavy.
Mr. Mellett. The bill provides that the trustees may add this where the ownships are now indebted for school house purposes. It failed on this vote in the House of Representatives - yeas, 50; nays, 34 - for want of the constitutional majority of 51.
