The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-10-02
Number 3.
The Common schools of Mississippi
Where are they?

The Common schools Of Mississippi
Where are they?
we have often heretofore suggested the pro-
prlety Of establishing sonae svsiem different from
that non prescribed BY the law, but not nor
- operation, for the governance Of The com.
mon school system, and more especially Of tba
commissioners for the several %eoaniiss W.
do not aim TO set forth systen-ws ID moi
desire, nor intend even 70 suggest i system
which would be fully adapted to The sSants and
means OF the different portions Of lie state
We freely acknowledge that neither the New
York; Connecticut, Massachusetts or Ohio
system would answer the desired purpose here!
PVT yet we must say that there has been d great
lack Of philanthroPic energy, and q great want
OF state pride in the management Of the means
placed at the disposal Of the people for the er-
press purpose Of giving to each and every child
a good primary education.
The means at the disposal ofthe people are-
LIST. The sixteenth section of each township,
I'd, All fines, forfeitures, &c. Of pedIars,
grocers, billiard-table keepers, to each coun-
ty respectively.
Sd. a special tax, not exceeding tho state
tax, to be levied BY the respective boards OF
police for the several counties,
All these different sources Of income are
set down by the imperfect law Of 1916 as the
means Of education appropriated (but not used)
for the masses.
True tits, that even this law isnot enforced
And why! Because simply, it is not adapted to
the Interest Of the 1hoe %stqte--there are some
portions with too sparse d population to render
it teaslble-there are others where the ~popula-
ton is more dense, where It would operate
advantageously. We look forward with hope
70 the time when every portion, every section
Of our beautiful state shall be fully enabled
to furnish pupils fot such schools as We advo4
cate. 1t is true, that now w are not PREPARED
to adopt and carry out elaborate plans and avs
TENS Of the New England and other Northern
states; but still we hope! We do not by any
means assume to dictate, or even advise what
should be done--we only ask that every mem.
Der electto the next Legislature will examine
{ the question-that he will reflect upon II, and
! be ready when the question comes up Gas II
j surely will, to add their mitesto the great sum
Of information upon this all-important sub.
I ject, which must undoubtedly be developed
i during the next session. Let every one, who
! has it in his power, examine the laws Of other
\ states IN the subject-let him study the sys-
TENS Of those states which have been the most
a successful, as well as those where Ignorance
prevails-let him select the good points Or all,
and be ready when the time comes to add his
,e quota of knowledge Upon a subject Of such
e vital import to the state, to his children, and
his children's children. Let a standing com.
mittee be raised, not upon colleges and uni4
v%ersities, but upon common schools, for the ed
~ucation OF all, by tax upon the property of all
taxpayers, and when that committee shall have
,ir digested their plan, fully and completely, az
n one great whole-as a system-let it not be
marred and blurred by amendments and yiders
There surely must be men in the Legislature
~ to whom such a task may be safely entrusted
- and would perform their duty, not only faith
=. fully, but with an eye single to the good o.
y the country.
The impracticability Of the present statute
" it is believed, is not the effect Of great, bu.
70, Of minor defects and those are connected exclu
sively withits details. To apply the proper rem
ev edy, lopoA superAuities, and add such addition
no al provisions as the country demands, will b
70. the duty Of the next Legislature.
We shall renew the subject at another tim
:, and will again take occasion to urge the i'm
y p~ortance Of an EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION, to az
=, semble during the session Of the next Logis
~ lal MI ssissRlptsn.