The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-04-07
Public Education .

The bill for the organization of pub
lie school system, submitted to the Legis-
lature by II. r. Pease, Superintendent
of Public Education, is ponderous doc
ument, and has at least the merit of
length. 1t contains ninety sections and
about ten thousand words-proAinent
among which are salaries, 'compen-
sation," appropriations" and ''taxes. +"
The bill provides:
That the Superintendent of Public Edu-
cation shall have general supervision of
all the schools to be established, to prescribe
uniform series of textbooks. to appoint
professors of the State Normal Schools and
fix their salaries.
1t gives the Superintendent a Secretary
and Clerk, and each a salary. and the super
intendent is to be paid in addition to his SAL
airy, his personal and travelling expenses.
Ii provides for a State Board, and for
County Boards of Education, and gives the
State Board general supervision of all Col
leges- Universities, etc., under the patronage
of the State.
That all lands escheated to the State for
want of heirs. or by purchase or forfeiture
for taxes, shall be sold In parcels not exceed
ing eighty acres for the benefit of the Com
mon School Fund.
Authorizes Boards of County Supervisors
to levy tax not exceeding ten mills on the
dollar for school-house purposes; and au-
thOrizes the Auditor of Public Accounts to
levy tax annually. for school purposes, OF
three mills on the dollar, upon all the tax
able property in each county.
That a free public school or schools shall
be maintained in each School District of the
State. for period of six months in the year,
and suitable school facilities shall be afford
ed to each and every youth, between the
ages of five and twenty-one years, residing
in such School District.
That separate free public schools for white
and colored pupils may be established in
each School District of the State, and each
school thus established shall have the same
and equal advantages and immunities under
the provisions of this Act.
That whenever any County, Municipal,
Corporation or School District shall fail to
provide separate free public schools for
white and colored pupils, with the same and
equal advantage and immunities, and shall
have established but one free public school
IL such County, Municipal, Corporation or
School District, shall be entitled to all and
equal privileges and advantages for instruc-
ton in such school and any school officer.
County, Municipal or State, or any teacher
of any such free public school who shall re-
fuse TO admit any white or colored pupil of
legal school age, and who shall be lawfully
entitled to admission into the same. and who
shall have complied with such rules and reg
ulations as may be prescribed by the State
Superintendent of Public Education, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con-
vietion thereof, shall be punished by fine
of not less than two hundred dollars, nor
more than five hundred dollars. and by inn
prisonment in the county Jail, for not less
than three months, nor more than twelve
months; and all such cases shall have pref
erence before other criminal cases spon the
docket OF the Court before which it shall be
brought; and such person so offending shall
also be liable to an action for damages by
the parent or guardian of the pupil so re-
fused.