Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-06-28

sets, where the free school system has
been the longest in operation, the proper
ton Of those over 20 years Of age who
cannot read and write, is as follows: In
Connecticut. in 81; in New IIamp-
shire, in $50: in Massachusetts, 139;
while in Virginia, where Education has
been chiefly left to the voluntary action
Of the parents, fraction over 18th of
the free white population over 20 years
Of age. cannot read and write. In North
Carolina and Tennesse, in cannot
read and write. The above facts are
sufficient TO show the importance of d
system Of free schools. There are in
Indiana upwards of 800 900 between the
ages Of 5 and 81. and it cannot be denied
tn at thousand Of those will remain unedu
Gated in the absence Of u system of free
common schools. Many Of their parents
are too poor 10 give them even a common
school educ alton, and others are criminally
negligent OF our adult population, there
are upward Of 80 900 who are unable to
read and write and it is feared that in the
absence Of better system of common
school instruction than We now have. the
ratio Of the indicated will increase with
fearful rapditv Sucl. is the intimate
c1Hu'AlDu Oh I1ncTdIiCc WIN IIiiiit. tiidt
the education Of the whole people is TO
the patriot and christian question of the
first Importance The following statistics
Joseph I5entlv. Esq, Of England, and the
other by G.. X. Porter, Esq. The four
be Il instructed counties in England, ac-
cording to their reports. are Rutland.
Westminster, Cumberland. and Middle
+ ~ 4 y q,
inhabitants. and ono criminal conviction
per annun 10 every 7i8 inhabitants West
minister has 1 school TO every COG inhabi-
tants. and l criminal conviction per an
mum TO every 22O1 inhabitants; Cumber-
land has ! school to every 1856 inhabitants,
and one criminal conviction per annum to
every 1lO1 inhabitants Middlesex has
school 10 every TAT inhabitants, and one
criminal conviction per annum TO every
AIS inhabitants The four worst instruc-
ted counties are, Northampton, Dorset,
Somerset and IIerford- Northampton has
| I school to every 1857 inhabitants, and
criminal prosecution per aunum to every
! 6O1-Dorsct has school to every 1875
inhabitants, and criminal conviction per
annum to every 6lO Northumberland
set has schoc, to every 1897 inhabitants,
and criminal conviction per annum TO
every 393 inhabitants-Herford has /
school TO every 1896 inhabitants; and !
criminal conviction per annum to every
/ $50 inbabitants-and in the four counties,
! criminal conviction per annum to every
1903 inhabitants The educational and
criminal statistics Of our own country
corroboratc substantially the foregoing
statement, and show most conclusively
that the average amount Of crime is al
most exactly in the inrerse ratio Of the
average amount Of instruction.
a system of free common schools sup
ported by taxation, is certainly the poor
mans friend. When schools are sup
ported by subscription, they usually cost
at the lowest estimate, $500 a quarter for
each scholar, and the average is supposed
to be 8 OO--so that the man who now
sends three children to school one quar-
ter, pays at least Sc OO-but under the
proposed free school system, if he has no
taxable property, he will pay 25 cents, the
poll tax. and thus save s IS If he has
five hundred dollars Of taxable property
he will pay So cents, as follows: 80 cents
State fax, so cts. township tax. and o5
cents poll tax, thereby saving IS Is. If
he has $1,000 taxable property, he will
pay 81 As still saving 81 SIS. If he has
$4,000 taxable property he will pay S. go
State tax, 81 90 township tax, and %
cents poll tax. making So So, and saving
$3 IS. From the above data, it is evil
dent that the proposed system will lessen
the burdens of the great majority Of the
people of the State. 1t is objected, that
it is unjust TO tax the wealthy, for the
education of the children of the poor!-
But if 50, it is equally unjust for them to
be taxed in proportion to their property
for State Purposes-but such is the fact,
and it is conceded 10 be the most equitable
plan. Every intelligent man knows that
it is cheaper and safer to be taxed for the
promotion Of education, than for the pun
ishment Of crime. The system proposed,
while it greatly relieves the poorer coun-
ties, will add but little TO the burdens OF
the more wealthy-and if the poor are
ever educated. it must to some extent be
at the expense Of the wealthy-of those
who are more highly favored Of fortune.
Property. as well as labor. is more valua-
bic in al intelligent and educated commu.
nifty. than il is where ignorance, and its
too frequent attendant. vice, are the ruling
spirits. The property Of the rich. whether
they have children or not, should be taxed
for the education of the whole people:
the security of their property demands it!
the tax that they pay is only the premium
on the insurance. Every property hold
or is interested in the education of $780,
600 youths of our State. Every child in
the State is the property Of the common
wealth, and it is the imperative duty OF
the State 10 adopt'such q system as shall
secure TO each child the means, at least.
of a common school educa alton. Remenl-
Der tina, the vote which you are to give in
i August next. will affect the education OF
1 SEQ, 900 youths of our State! Remem-
Der. that by your vote you may confer All
inestimable boon on the children Of the
/ poor: YOU place in their hands the true
fortuna,us purse. You may cheer the
heart Of many an industrious poor men
;. who is now unable to educate his children,