Huey Long Political Rally in Plain Dealing. Notice slogans on sides of trucks - "We said free school books for children and they all got them." Held between S. Cotton Belt St. & railroad track. |
In its July 1976 issue The
Bossier Press reprinted articles from early issues of The Planters” Press.
The article “How About Free Books?” in the September 8, 1928
issue of The Planters’ Press conveys
the mixed opinions of Bossier and Caddo residents about the constitutionality
of free text books.
“Will Bossier school children have free textbooks when
school opens Monday morning, September 17th, or will they be forced
to buy their own books despite a free text book law passed by the state
legislature?”
“That is the question that is bothering Bossier parents now
that the Bossier [P]arish [S]chool [B]oard has filed suit against the free text
book law. The free school book law has
been passed by the legislature and efforts by individuals to have it proven
unconstitutional have failed in the court.
The Caddo and Bossier [P]arish [S]chool [Boards] have filed injunction
suits to attempt to prove the law unconstitutional. They are of the opinion that an individual
has no right to file procedings [sic] but that the school board has.”
“It is stated that although there is not enough money to
supply new books to all school children an allowance of $1.00 is being made by
the [S]tate [B]oard of [E]ducation to supply each child with books. The Caddo Parish School Board officials
declared that an average of $3.00 per pupil is necessary for books. That board in special session Wednesday
refused to accept the free books for Caddo school children and in addition
filed an injunction suti [sic].”
“The Bossier School Board suit attacking the validity of the
validity of the free text book law has been filed in Baton Rouge District Court
in the name of Walter Connell, president of the Bossier Parish School Board,
and M. V. Kerr, school superintendent for Bossier. In the meantime it is reported that petitions
are being circulated in Bossier Parish by the school patrons asking that the
suit be withdrawn.”
“It is stated that the Bossier Parish School Board has
already ordered the free text books and that they are ready for
distribution. Schools in Bossier will
open Monday morning, September 17th, according to the schedule, and
Bossier school patrons are anxious to obtain the free books at that time.”
“It is reported that the majority of the Bossier school
patrons are desirous of obtaining the free text books.”
“In the petition filed by the school board, the $750,000 a
year appropriation is attacked. The suit
asks that the State Board of Education show cause why it should not be
restrained from distributing the free text books. The petition alleges that under the
Constitution public schools’ funds must be distributed to each parish solely
for the use of supporting the free public schools.”
“The petition further alleges that the appropriation is
unconstitutional as it is for the purposes other than those provided by the
Constitution for the general appropriation bill which does not include school
book appropriations; that the Constitution prohibits appropriations for private
charitable or benevolent purposes, that it also prohibits loaning, pledging or
granting funds to any person or persons; and that it limits the state
educational system to the free public schools.”
“Virtually the same allegations of constitutional violations
are made in the petitions as respects the act setting aside part of the
severance tax fund for buying free books.”
“It was learned here Tuesday from John M. Foote, of the
State Department of Education, that requisitions for free books for 50 of the
64 parishes have been approved and the books ordered shipped from the state
school depository.’
The real objection to the free books was that Bossier and
Caddo Parishes did not want to accept “charity” from the state. Ultimately, until Caddo Parish children were
allowed the free books, Huey Long refused to authorize the location of
Barksdale Air Force in Shreveport (at that time).
More interesting historical facts about Bossier Parish are
available at the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.
Written by: Ann Middleton, Director
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