NO. 7.
“VOL. LXXXII
THE NEW SCHOOL CODE,
ae ————
THE STATE LEGISLATURE,
INEQUALITIES OF TAXATION,
| sre
for the Reporter by James B, Strohm
The following isa brief simmary of |
the new school code as it applies to |
townships and boroughs, having been |
carefully prepared by James B.
Strohm : |
Five directors shall constitute «|
board and shall serve for five years, |
one being elected annually ; their
terms of office beginning on the first |
i
Monday of April following their elec- |
tion ; at which time the board shall]
organize by electing from their num-
ber a president and a vice president ;
and shall also elect a secretary who
may be a member of the board, and a
treasurer who shail not be a member
of the board. The fiscal year shall be-
gin on the first Monday of July, at
which time the secretary and the treas-
urer shall enter upon their duties, after
giving bonds for the faithfu! perform.
ance of the same.
All real estate, personal property
and occupations are made taxable for
school purposes, and each male resi-
dent shall pay in addition, an occups-
tion tax of at least one dollar. No
discounts or abatements shall be al
lowed on the payment of school taxes,
and collectors of the same shall fully
account for and pay over to the tress |
urer the total amount’on or before the |
first day of March following the year |
in which he was clected. The maxi-
mum rate for schools shall not exceed
25 mills on the dollar,
All new school buildings shall be
built in sccordance with plans and
specifications furnished by the State
Board of Education.
Text-books shall not be. changed
oftener than once in five years, and
then only upon the recommendation
of a majority of the teschers who use
them. Directors may however dis-
regard the wishes of teachérs and adopt
or change books by the affirmative
votes of three-fourths of the board All
text-books used shall be selected from
the approved lists of publications mad.
by the State Board of Education ; said
lists shall include, in each subject,
not less than three different books
published by separate publishers. The
purchase of books, supplies, furniture,
etc, where the amount exceeds $100,
shall be by competitive bids,
Agents for books and supplies will
not be allowed to ba present during =
vote for adoption of books or supplies
The State Board of Education shall
consist of the State Buperintendent of
Public Instruction and six persons,
appointed by the Governor, of whom
three shall be successful educators of
high standing, who shall serve with-
out compensation, other than the pay-
ment of their peceswry expenses in.
carred in the performance of their
daties. Among their duties are to
prescribe rules and regulations for the
examination of teachers ; to prepare
approved lists of text-books and sup-
plies ; and to prescribe regulations for
proper sanitation of school buildings
Teachers, who are related to any
member of the board may not be em-
ployed, unless such teacher receives
the affirmative votes of three-fourths
of all the members of the board, Per-
sous und «vr eighteen years of age shall
not be emp oyed. Any teacher who
refuses to teach through the term for
which he was engaged, unless pre
vented by illness, shall be disqualified
from teaching elsewhere in the state,
during the term of the contract. No
teacher shall teach more than five
school terms on provisional certificates,
the presumption being that after five
years’ experience they should have
made sufficient advancement to entitle
them to professional certificates,
The appointment of a medical in-
spector is provided for, who shall each
year ins sect, test and examine all pu.
pils in his district, giving special at-
tention to defective sight and hearing,
and shall give careful directions con-
cerning care snd treatment of pupils
who have need of it. No person hav-
ing tuberculosis of the lunge shall be a
pupil, teacher, or other employee in
soy public school. Children having
any contagious diseases, or residing in
any house where they exist, shall be
excluded from school. The provisions
of the former vaccination law are
somewhat modified. It becomes the
duty of directors and the medical in-
spector to dismiss from school unvae
cinated pupils, but the medieal in-
spector may permit such unvaccinated
pupils to attend school where no cases
of smallpox or varioloid are known
to exist,
The minimum school term shall be
eight months and the maximum ten
months.
Besides the ordinary course of study,
snd a system of humane education,
which shall include kind treatmont of
birds snd other suimals, otary
_sgriculture is prescribed. Vivisection
or other cruel experiment on any liv.
ing creature i¢ prohibited. :
Directors are Smbonsted to estab.
contribute to, min -
Jah SOTA So fund, nates may
i
ou next column.)
Usary—The Vest Pocket Ballot Fro.
vided for—Bills Passed by One of the
Two Bodies,
The House and Benate were down to
work and bills covering every evil
were introduced. Among the measures
that were under consideration and are
of local interest are noted below:
A BLOW AT UBURY.
In line with the crusade waged by
Director of Public Bafety Clay against
unscrupulous money lenders was a bill
introduced by Benator Clarence Wolf,
of Philadelphia, which makes the
charging of usurious interest a mis-
demeanor. A fine of $00 and im-
prisonment of one year is the penalty
imposed for violations. The maximum
rate of interest to be charged is fixed
at six per cent., but the bill permits
the person making the loan to collect
from the borrower an initial payment
of two per cent, of the loan. This is to
cover expenses and shall not depend
on the length of time for which the
loan is negotiated.
It is provided in the bill that where
any mouey is paid by a borrower, per-
soually or through a second or third
party, the money so paid shall be con-
sidered as interest. Should sucn pay-
ment or payments exceed the amount
of the loan, with six per cent. interest,
the persons accepting the same shall
be held guilty of collecting a usurious
interest.
VEST POCKET BALLOTS,
A bill suggested by John H. Fow,
of Philadelphia, was offered by Mr,
Creasy, restoring the * vest pocket”
system for voting. It is provided that
one-half of the official ballots shall be
given out on the Friday preceding
elections. These shall be voted the
sare as the other ballots, in an official
envelope, which the judge of election
must farnish the vest pocket voter on
election day. Mr. Creasy said that
bis system did not difter in any way
from the present method, except that
it provided for the distribution of the
official ballots, Inasmuch as no elec.
tion laws will be changed, but sll re-
vision along these lines will be referred
to a commission to be appointed to re-
vise the election laws and report to the
vext session of the legislature, this
bill will vot be cousidered by the
leaders.
Mr. McNichol in the Senate present-
ed a bill permitting juries in renderiog
verdicts of first degre murder to state
whether the defendant shall be hang-
ed or serve a life sentence,
BILLS PASSED.
The following bills passed finally in
the Senate :
Prohibiting the sale of eggs unfit for
food,
Regulating the sale of cold storage
poultry, game and eggs.
Prohibiting the adulteration of lard.
These three bills were prepared by the
Dairy and Food Division of the State
Department of Agriculiure,
Amending the State Constitution so
as to abolish spring elections.
The new medical bill provides that
physicians who are found guilty of
performing criminal operations, using
intoxicants to excess, may have their
license suspended,
—— ———— A —] ———
Captare Bear Alive,
One sfternoon about a week ago
while George Lovett, who is crippled,
and Harry Watkins, who is minus his
right arm, were in the woods In Gal.
lagher township, Clinton county, they
had a lively encounter with a bear.
Bruin was first seen in a hole and
upon coming out they tried to subdue
the animal. Neither man had any
weapon, but Watkins knocked bruin
senseless with a large pine knot. The
men then bound the bear's legs to-
gether with their suspenders and hand.
kerchiefs and threw a canvass coat
over the animal, Watkins then start.
ed for a chain, but while he was gone
the bear revived, and tearing its fasten-
ings came at Mr. Lovett, The latter
was fast becoming exhausted by the
tassel when his companion returned
with the chain. Brain was with dit
ficulty lassoed about the neck and
dragged down the hill. By that time
he was pretty well subdued and walk-
ed meekly along to the Lovelt home
where he can be seen at any time. The
bear is thought to be about two years
old.
—————— A ———
A special meeting of Progress
Grange will be held Baturday after.
noon.
{ Continned from previous column.)
provide in the contracts with teachers
that they shall contribute a reasonable
sum from their salaries, to said fund,
the mavagement to be by those who
contribute to it, and socording to regu-
Intions prescribed by the State Board.
A state school fand is provided for
from the net receipts derived from or
on account of the forest reservations,
The religious garb provision has been
expunged, No religious or political
test shall be required of any employes
by the Legislative Committes of the
Pennsylvania State Grange.
The Legislative Committee of the
Pennsylvania State Grange, which is
composed of the following well-known
members of the Order of Patrons of
Husbandry : Hon. W. T. Creasy,
Hon. Leonard Rhone, Hon. W., F,
Hill, B. 8B, Biyholder, A. M. Cornell,
John A. MeSparran, Thomas Bharp-
less and H. G. Teagarden, prepared
the following statement and addressed
the same to Governor Btuart, the
Senate and House of Representatives,
The statement will be well worth the
reading and careful studying, and is
reprinted below :
We, farmers and citizens of Penn-
sylvaoia, appointed a Committee by
the Pennsylvania State Grange,
Patrons of Husbandry, authorized to
address your honorable body, here.
with set forth certain discriminations
and bardsbips imposed upon real
estate, farm and home owners by the
unequal sod aotiquated tax laws of
Pennsylvania which exact from real
estate, appraised for taxation at $4,172 -
9565,448., a tax of $60,881,707 00 annual-
ly or an average of 16 mills on the
dollar. While under suthority of the
same laws only $19,824 964.00 are col-
lected from personal and corporate
property which Is appraised at $6,511,
485,670, or ail average tax of only 3
mills on the dollar,
In addition to the foregoing discrim-
ination against real estate, cited, the
counties are required to pay direct to
the Biate $9,716,700.00 ( Report of
Auditor General, page 2).
It may be contended by some that
real estate is undervalued for taxation.
So is personal and corporate property
to a much larger extent as indicated
by the statistical reports of the Com-
monwealth,
This subject was fully investigated
by the Penpsylvania Vax Conference a
few years ago. A complete record was
made from the books of the County
Commissioners of the assessed value of
real estate for taxation and what lands
sctually sold for io the market which
clearly indicated that real estate was
assessed for fully seventy-five per cent,
of its selliog price in the several coun.
ties of the State, while personal and
corporate property, sccording to the
statistical reports of the Siate and
taxes collected, is not assessed at more
than fifty per cent. of its market
value.
Take, as an example, the appraised
market value of manufacturing plants
in Pennsylvania which is stated sat
$632,842 453.00, Report of Secretary of
Internal Aflairs, ( Part 3, page 209),
while its estimated appraised value for
taxation is only $146 835 580.00, and
taxes paid $1,007.332.00 { Report
Auditor General 1907, page 207): #0
that if there is any undervalustion of
property for taxation it applies more
forcibly to personal and corporate
property than it does to real estate,
When the Legisiasture enacted laws
changiog the floancial policy of the
State, it exempted personal and ocor-
porate property from local taxation
and made it taxable wholly for the
support of the department of State
and then in return made resi estate
taxable wholly for county, city and
local governments,
When this policy was inaugurated
by the Btate, the wisest statesmuan did
uot forsee the enormous growth of the
value of personal and corporate prop-
erty, which now has reached the pro
diglous sum of over §6,500,000,000.00,
In the race of developm «nt, personal
and corporate property has outstrip.
ped real estate by over $2,300,000,000,00,
During the same period the taxes on
real estate have increased to $69 881,
707 00, while on persoual snd corporate
property, the taxes have fallen behind
real estate more than $50,000,000.00.
We might cite numerous cases of
how the discrimination affects the
home owner, but we will give only
one illustration of the situation,
Take two citizens of the Common
wealth ; one buys a home for $1.000 00
and is required to pay a tax from $20
to $30 for the support of schools, roads,
poor, ete. The other invests his
$1,000 00 in personal property, bonds
and mortgages and is taxed $4 for the
support of the Btate and nothing for
the home government, the benefit of
which he enjoys equally with the
other,
This unjust discrimination fs author
ized by the laws of Pennsylvania, a
tepublic that sounsels its people * To
love mercy and do justice.” We,
therefore, appeal to the Executive and
Legislative Departments of our State
Government, to carefully investigate
this complaint of the home owners
and tenants of Pennaylvania.
HOW THE TAX ACCOUNT STANDS,
The aggregate value of real estate in
Pennsylvania is $4,172,065,448 00,
The taxes paid by real estate iu $09,
881,707.00, ’
Average rate of taxation on real
estate, 16 mills,
Appraised value of personal and
| corporate property, $6,5611,485,670.00,
Taxes paid on personal and eorpo-
rate property, after deducting commis-
sions, licenses and other miscellaneous
sources of income, leaves a tax on per-
#'nal and corporate property of only
$19,824,964 00,
Average rate of taxation on personal
and corporate property, 3 mills.
IF TAXES WERE LEVIED EQUITABLY,
If personal and corporate property
were taxed at the same average mill
rate that real estate would be taxed,
personal and corporate property would
be required to pay $43,606,483.00 in-
stead of $19 824,964.00,
Crediting to personal and corporate
property commissions, licenses, and
other miscellaneous sources of income,
amounting to $11,000,000 00 would
make a total of $54,006,483.00 as the
share of personal property.
If taxes were collected equitably real
estate would be required to pay $35,
052,825.00 instead of $69,681,707.00 or a
saving to the real estate owners an-
nually «f $34 828 882 00,
TAX LAWS ROE REAL ESTATE OWNERS
The real estate owners are, annually,
grossly robbed of $34,828 882 00. Fif.
teen millions of this amount is directly
extorted from the farmers and nine-
teen millions from residents in cities
and towns, whether they be owners or
tenants. It is this policy of the state
that has driven away from the farms
and rursl communities, sccording to
the last census report, over one hup-
dred thousand people from twenty-
two eounties of the state,
To correct these discriminations
sgainst the farm and home owners of
Pennsylvania, we respectfully insist
that the State either assume a larger
proportion of the cost of the local gov-
ernments or give the local governments
suthority to tax personal and corpo-
rate property in each unit of govern-
ment,
The State could, without any detri-
ment to its own finances, remit to the
cranties the $9,716,700 now collected
by the state from the counties. And
in all justice, the State should pay the
minimum wages of public school
teachers, for the minimum term,
which would assist the local govern.
ments upwards of $13,000,000 00. And
could further relieve the local govern.
ments by sppropristiog 8 minimum
sum per mile to the counties and town-
ships for road purposes equal to fifty
per cent. of the road taxes paid in each
township ; limiting the amount to
$20 00 per mile, and relieve the counties
and towcships of the partnership
business in constructing State roads.
Let the State assume with the ald of
the National Government the entire
construction of lutefstate and inter
county roads,
If there ure not sufficient revenues
for the State Government, an addi-
tional tax of one mill could be placed
on all personal and corporate property
{ without any hardship ), with as small
tax on the gross productions of mines,
oll and gas wells, and similar enter.
prises,
Besides, there are numerous other
sources from which revenues might
be derived.
If the State treated the agricultural
class with justice and equity the farm-
era would be contented in their voea-
tion, and Pennsylvania would have
more prosperous and happy agricul
tural communities which are the main-
stay of the prosperity of our Common-
wealth.
A OA AAAI
LOCALS,
The truth, in a nutshell, is a good
bit of a chestnut,
Landlord Bhawver, of Millheim,
sccompanied George E. Homsn to
Philadelphia to which place the latter
went to dispose of a car load of horses.
Modern marriage conditions form
the theme of the * SBhuttlecock,” the
complete novel published ian the
March Smart Set. * The Bhuttlecock’
is from the pen of Neith Boyce, one of
the pleverest of the young novelists,
D. B. Louder, of Oak Hall Station,
while doing the evening chores about
the barn made a misstep and fell down
the hay hole to the flor below. Since
then he has been vursing a bad
shoulder an1 arm.
John D. Meyer, treasurer of the
Blair County Title and Trust Compa.
ny, in Altoona, Saturday made his
first visit to his parents in Centre
Hall, sinos entering upon the duties of
that position, He i» very much
pleased with his work, and finde the
people in Altoona quite agreeable,
Frank Koch, second sergeant in
Troop K. U. 8B. cavairy In Manila,
very kindly remembered his parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Amos Koch, near
Boalsburg, with valuable presents
recently. To his mother he sent a
shoulder shawl and an embroidered
handkerchief ; to his father, a fur cap
Appointed a Midshipman,
Joseph H. Hoffman, son of Mr, and
Mrs. J. H. Hoffman, of Millheim, says
the Journal, received notification that
he had been appointed a midshipman
at the United States Naval Academy,
at Annapolis, Maryland, for this con-
gressional district- The appointment
was made through the agency of Con-
gressman Charles F. Barclay. Mr,
Hofman is a bright young man, and
will without doubt be successful in his
studies at the Academy. He will re.
port for final examination June 16th.
His friends extend congratulations
upon the good fortune which is his,
who is thus being given a berth which
Is eagerly sought by hundreds in every
"Y — district.
Birthday Party. Ww
Mrs. A. P. Krape arranged a birth-
day party for her husband Saturday
evening of last week. The number
present was net large, but a very en-
Joyable time was had. Those present
were: Rev. Daniel Gress, Mr. and
Mrs. G. W. Hosterman, Mr. and Mrs.
Willism Fiedler, Mr, and Mrs. Will-
ism Floray, Mr. and Mrs, Lyman
Bmith, Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Mit.
terling, Mrs. Lucy Henney, Mrs. J.
R. G. Allison, Mrs. William Good-
hart, Mrs. Robert Goodhart, Mary
Durst, Ruth Bmith, Edna Murray,
Anna Mitterling, Corsa Brungart,
Edward Bailey, Harry Relish, Frank
Goodhart, Samuel Bhoop, Charles
Durst and Christ Durst.
———————
New Judicial District,
Congressman John M. Reynolds in-
troduced a bill in the National House
of Representatives to create a new
Federal judicial district in Pennsyl-
vania, to be composed of the counties
of Mifflin, Huntingdon, Fulton, Bed-
ford, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Indiana,
Jeflerson, Cambria, Romerset, West
moreland and Fayette. It provides,
also, for Circuit and District Courts to
be held in Altoona in January and
June, in Johnstown in March and
September, and in Greensburg in
April and November.
A HI AAAI.
Farmers’ Institutes.
Three farmers’ institutes will be held
next week. Asronsburg, Monday and
Tuesday ; Pine Grove Mills, Wednes-
day sud Thureday ; Stormstown,
Friday and Saturday.
The speakers will be L. W. Lighty,
Esst Berlin ; Dr. J, H. Funk, Boyers-
town ; R. P. Kester, Grampian ; Dr.
Thomas F. Hunt and Prof. Alva Agee,
of Pennsylvania State College ; George
H. McKay, Poiladelphia ; County
Bupt. D. O. Etters, State College.
Mrs. Horner Sold House,
Mrs. Catharine Horner 0
dwelling house in Centre Hall to
Frank P. Geary, the barber, for $1000,
or thereabouts. This property was
purchased by Mrs. Horner from Mrs,
M. B. Richard, about two years ago,
for $850. Itis a pleasant home, and
will be occupied by Mr. Geary and
wife, ss soon as convenient for them
to do so.
A—————— IM A ——————
Request from State,
The Legislature was asked to appro-
priate to Pennsylvania State College
the sum of $1,558,620 81 for the next
two years, and also $198,974.81 to cover
a deficiency. Chairman Woodward,
of the House Appropriations Com.
mittee, said that the total amount
asked for by this college would take
up one-third the estimated revenue of
the state for the next two years.
I ——— A A A————
Jadge Telford on License,
Temperance advocates scored a de-
cisive victory in Iodiana county,
when Judge Telford refused ten
licenses and only granted two, one
conditionally. In addition Judge Tel
ford laid down some new laws, includ.
ing one prohibiting tresting. There
are eleven decisions reserved.
Ye Park,
The Harry McRae Webater Asso
citiation Players will present at Ye
Park Theatre, Philadelphia, for the
entire week, beginning Monday,
February 22, that most successful
comedy, ** Mrs. Temple's Telegram.”
This play has never been seen in
Philadelphia. It was produced at the
Madison Square Theatre, New York,
where it ran three months to capacity
business, going from there to Power's
Theatre, Chicago, where it repeated
the success for 100 nights. The play
Is of Eoglish origin, and was pro-
duced at the Apollo Theatre,
TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS,
HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST
FROM ALL PARTS.
A daughter was born to Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Poorman, near Pleasant
Gap, It was a welcomed guest.
The Presbyterian C. E, Bociety will
gives conundrum supper in Grange
Arcadia Baturday evening, 20th inst.
Thursday night of last week, Mrs,
H, B. Taylor, of Bellefonte, fell down a
flight of stairs and since her condition
is quite serious.
Miss Eva M. Johnson, of Harris
burg, is being entertained by her
cousin, Miss Roxanna Brisbin, in
Centre Hall,
Rev. Ralph M. Illingsworth, of
Camden, N. J., has accepted a cali to
the Presbyterian church, at Marietta,
this state, and is now io his new field,
Moses Clark, of Old Fort, made sale
of a part of his personal property
Baturday, and Wednesday went to
Bellefonte, where he will make his
home with his daughter.
Frank ©, Montgomery, head of ths
firm of Montgomery & Company,
Bellefonte clothiers, is in Philadelphis
with the view of regaining his health
by keeping away from business.
After a three months’ vacation,
which time was spent in Ohio, Rev,
John A. Bright and wife are back to
Campus, Kaneas, The minister has
taken up the pastoral work of his
fleld with renewed energy.
Mr. Moyer, a horse buyer, shipped
several horses Saturday morning to
the east. He was after old horses, but
found the farmers were asking too
much money for their horse flesh to
ship to the market he supplies,
At a meeting of Progress Grange,
Baturday afternoon, ten new members
were initiated. The local Grange has
been growing each year, and among
its members are the best citizens in
Centre Hall and Potter township.
The Bell telephone company has
extended its line up the Branch
from Lemont with E. C. Ross, George
Mitchell, James Kustaborder, John
Glenn, Jessie Klinger, Thomas Fish
burn and Bamuel Glenn as subscribers,
The three Berry brothers, of Mill.
heim, rented the meat market, ice
bouse and dwelling house of John
Liggett, at Beech Creek, and after
April 1 will conduct the market which
is now in the hands of Jerome Hack-
enberg.
The members of the Christian En-
deavor connected with the Presbyter-
ian church will hold a conundrum
supper in Grange Arcadia, Saturday
evening, February 20th, from six to
ten o'clock. Menu cards will be placed
before all guests.
The Nieman block, in Millheim, is
being cleaned up, the work being in
charge of Ammon Snook. The store
will be rebuilt, and in the meantime
Mr. Nieman is having the photograph
building, to the rear of the former
Nieman store bullding, remodeled,
and will open up business in it.
From the Pomona, Cal., Daily Pro-
gress of the lst inst : Dr. J. R. Gast,
Mifflinburg, Penn., who is spending a
month in Southern California, will be
the guest of his old friend, John H.
Auble, of 384 East Pearl Street, a few
days this week. Dr. Gast and Mr.
Auble were schoolmates in Pennsyle
vanis fifty years ago.
James W. Swab, of Linden Hall,
and Heury Bwab, of Centre Hall, were
callers Saturday. Mr. Swab was ap-
pointed receiver in the matter of Clyde
Stamm, of Potter township, and will
make public sale of the farm stock,
implements, household goods, ete,
Tuesday 23 inst., at one o'clock. See
advertisement in this issue ; also,
posters.
Jonathan Bierly, of Youngdale, and
arrived in Centre Hall Friday
east of Centre Hall, and of J. T.
ler, at Tusseyville, both of whom sbe
visited.
The Western Union
;
week in
operator
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