New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20
NO DISCRLMINA77ON ON ACCOUNT OF
EDUCATION
To NE Editors Of The Boston Daily AdeeGser.

To NE Editors Of The Boston Daily ddeerfiser.
GENTLEMEN: viii you allow one who, many
years since, retired from political life, few words
subject Of tie gravest Importance
Last Tuesday the Senate Of the United States, bya two
thirds vote referred 10 the Legislatures OF the several
States amendment 10 the Constitution adding to 1t
10 determination shall be made United st,e among
citizens Of The States the elective franchise
Other matter was added, but nothing that limited or
modified the above proposition The prohibition 10 dis
cnmnate extended, besides education, to race color,
nativity property, and creed No prohibition 10 dis
crimnate on account OF 1t is safe and proper rue
IN legislation that nothing mschievOus should be voted
for merely because useful provisions are included in the
same Dill TINS rule ts = Tar more IN egar6 10
A majority can repeal alaw; but onefourth OF the
States composing the Union, with single State added,
retain in the Constitution, In despite Of all the other
states any injurious provision that is once incorporated
restricted as 1 have above restricted It, to edu'
cation. be in itself wise provision, the amend
been overwhelmingly defeated II may fairly be doubted
however whether II that detached proposition had been
tanned the vote Of single Senator. Before decide
mat would let us observe what the manifest corol
women from the office clerk in any DEPARTMENT or OF
aa OF assistant librarian or Of tutor professor in
put ~ IS PROMPTED from appointing board examiners
librarian ever read dozen books whether an asrant
| 10 clerKship can add up column OF figures or
hbit women from dscharging the duties OF postmaster
but shall not be allowed to law providing thai aIy
man VINO may be recommended for such Office be eI.
amined. before appointment ascertain whether
he decphef the address OF the letters come
into his custody. 3d. also Of the thousand offices IN
Washington City, unless the Supreme Court shOuld decide
that by the wording 10 hold oce In anv state these
excluded. Yet IL is not conceivable that grave sens
tors should have regarded education In public officers M
dispensable In the District OF Columbia but 0ne snnar
luOus in New-York Pennsylvania. Then aenIn
there is my friend Mr.. JeDckes's Ciyilserylce bill:
OF the most important, II not ne most
useful aud important measure now before
Congress. Under the Constitution as proposed 10 be
amended will such bill his be cOnsttutiOnall II nd.
nts OF serious question. Such law would certainly be
in eOntrayenton OF the spirit OF clause nmatng that
I'm OlicehOlder education little essential as
white skin orthodox creed. Yet without some
such that here referred TO. muck OF the d
mnistratOn OF our public affairs must remain disgraee
fully inefficient. Al this moment while our system OF
government IL gradually coming to be regarded az, In
principle, the best la the world. the administrative ability
displayed under IL Is aentaby inferior not only TO That
obtained I'm European m0narcies but. yet more TO the
business talent and capaDty that dreotiour largest pr
vatc enterprises 1 ain. gen
ueiDen, your obedient servant, ROBERT DALE OWEN-
CaIHJridge Feb. II, 1869.