Columbus Whig. (Columbus, Miss.) 1843-18??, 1844-06-13


article a Tie subject Of the franklin Acade-
| py.gopef tho signature pf ''AnlOld Studeiilg'
sNe IeJef to this subjdct, Dot because We
tank ts article worthy 81 a thought, but iOr
me purpOse Of correctinga false impression,
that appears ioAa common, in this cOmmuni-
~.
Many persons believe, .nd really speak 4
though Franklin Academy, Was an eleemosy-
nary establishment, and that il is tbrvaQh their
chGrities Shat this Institution subsists.
They tpeak other property's being taxed
i as thooghitWere a Ia X, levied on property 10
which they had paid valuable consideration,
and had BY this means become the owners OF
this properly. Now, this is not the true eond!
lion ofthings. The citizens residing on the
sixteenth section, arc mere tenants, and are
bound tcpay an annual lease, for the privilege
Of residing Oh the land, which was given by the
General Government to the citizens of this
township, for the education Of their children
No fee simple right is conveyed by a sale
and purchase. No lots on this section has
ever been sold by the trustees of this school
fund, they have only been leased.
What then, is the relationship Of those who
hold lots on this section, 10 the citizens or the
Trustees of the school fund OF this township
1t is this: those who hold the. property, have
leased il, from the Trustees of the Township,
and these Trustees have contracted that the
lessees or the persons leasing, shall be permit
ted, to hold the property leased, on condition,
that said lessees, will make annual payments Of
such an amount as shall have been agreed on
for 90 years, with the privilege of releas-
ing or forfeiting al the expiration of this term
OF years.
This being the case, those who hold the
property by lease, are debtors to the Trustees
of the township, and have been permitted to
make annual payments of this indebtedness.
The lessees ofthis 18th section have been grea'
tly favored by this arrangement. They have been
trusted 90 years for certain sum, which they
are permitted to pay, without interest i'll an
nual instruments. In this way many a poor
man has been enabled to obtain home, who
could never have done 80, without this long
credit 1t is therefore, ridiculous for people to
assume, that they are contributing their mon
ey, for the support of Franklin Academy IL
is not true. They are only paying debt, for
which the Trustees, or Franklin Academy,
have been kind enough to credit them.
Many are in the habit of saying, they do not
send their children to Franklin Academy, a.
though they pay their money for Its support.
1t is to be hoped we shall hear this no more,
they are only paying their debts, and if the
Trustees OF the township, are disposed to keep
up school with the money, that belongs TO
the township. with the privilege extended TO
all the children within its limits of attending
this school, free of charge; and any man feels
indisposed to accept theproferred privilege,ths
does not in any way, lessen his obligation, to
pay for the use of the property which he has
leased.
The acceptance fthe school privilege,and
the compliance with the lease contract, have
no Connection whatever.
Since writing the last article, we have been
informed that the services of Mr.. f. Mrs. Nc
Lain, were engaged for two sessions, with the
privilege on their part only, of declining at the
end of the first session. If they should be dis
posed to continue, we presume they will
do, the Academy win at the termination OF
this year have extinguished the entire indebt.
ednesS. or nearly so, that has for The last few |
years, crippled the usafRlnese and efficiency |
ofthe institution. TIiiswill be most happy
and desirable result.
Mr. McI4ain has informed us, that under
the present arrangement, ofteachng nothing
more than the elements of purely English
education, be succeeds very well in advancing
the students: notwithstanding the great NUNS
Der, to which he is compelled TO give atten>
ton. He himself, from his experience, as
teacher in the institution, for several years
thinks that 10 language except the English (.
and course Of elementary studies, including
the more simple branches of Mathematics
should be taught in this institution.
There can be no doubt that if this course be !.
pursued, the people will, ifthey will do Justice
o their children, derive great benefit from a
Franklin Academy. We have been informed =
hat the children, who are sent to this institu- r
tions are very irregular in their attendance :;
Mr. McLan, says when those who send, Were :.
equ,red to pay certain amount, per sessi on, :,
her children were very regular, in their at =
enhance but now, that all is free, the parents "
how great Indifference, and permit their chill =
rem 10 come or stay away, at their own dis ~
retloh This is very strange. We cannot =
&c, why parents should not feel as much inter- %
81 IN having their children learn, when they Ve
re not required to pay any thing, as when 50
aey pay for their tuition. DC
we have often observed one thiDg among - -
arents' which to us,is most applicable. Ma =
SEEM to feel themselves under obligation =
exPend certain amount FIR the education q
.nclr children and appear content, at this s.
ltay'aIthough their children should derive no -
snefit from it. 20
49,. I, a. A de-
This feeling is, as we think very con,r,or.