New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-09

Public Education,
ISL VI New Orleans, June :, 1871
The State Superintendent, in announcing
the following superintendent of school
funds, desires to express. his qualification at
the encouraging adyanceInent which has
marked the progress of the educational
work throughout the State.
Considering the determined opposition
displayed to- the establishment of public
schools on a constitutional basis, it is a graf
flying fact that at the present time five
hundred schools are in active and efficient
operation, outside the city Of New Orleans,
while the number is steadily increasing,
giving the fairest promise OF complete ana
enduring success.
The schools have been we'll attended; in
many instances the number of pupils who
seek the benefits of education has been Inn
tied only by the capacity OF the school
accommodations The progress OF the
scholars has been equally gratifying, fur
nishing an ample vindication OF our public
school system. 20. .-.---.-.,. ell, :. =
The recent decision of the Supreme Court
in regard to the New Orleans school tax
having been misunderstood by some, it is
proper, in this connection, to say that it in
no way affects the collection of the two mill
tax provided for by the State law, nor does
it in any way limit the right OF the electors
in any parish, city, town or school district
to vote for and cause to be levied school
tax to any amount by them deemed neces-
sary for the efficiency of the schools, not to
exceed two mills on the dollar.
The decision of the court is that under the
revenue law any tax in excess of two per
cent must be submitted to a vote OF the
people.
The present condition Of the schoOlIfun
is more encouraging than at any previous
period, there being now more than S2US, UOO
in hand, with fair prospect that the
amount will be at least doubled within the
ensuing three months.
The treasurers of parish, city and town
school boards who have qualified according
to law and have filed authenticated copies of
their bonds in this Office, can call at once
and draw the amounts hereinafter appor-
toned to their respective parishes, cities or
towns. t.f., ..,.s .rf .....t..-.. -, ,,.s.....f,
In the city of New Orleans, which alone
is directly affected by the decision of the
Supreme Court, it would require a vote of
the people to authorize the collection of the
tax contemplated in the amendment to the
school act. Such a necessity, calling, as it
would, for special election and a new
registry of voters, seemed so undesirable
at the present time that other measures
have been taken by which the schools will
be maintained, and the salaries of teachers
paid as promptly as possible 1t is painful
to believe that the spirit which contested
the collection of the school tax in this city
was inspired by aversion to popular educa-
ton; but if such was the case, it is the
more gratifying to be able to record the
complete defeat of a purpose so dishonor-
ing to the intelligence OF the age, and the
success of which should have covered
its originatOrs with shame. With the
amount to be apportioned from the
State fund united to the Sl30 900 due to the
schools from the city, the schools of New
Orleans will be sustained in defiance of the
irrational prejudices which seized on a de-
feet in the law in vain endeavOrs to pros
trate the noblest of the institutions of the
city. i.t. '..'
1t is, perhaps, not too much to say that
Notwithstanding, and even as result of
this relentless opposition, the schools of New
Orleans will occupy more favorable po-
stion than at any time since the late war.
THOMAS w. CONWAY r.
State Superintendent of Public Education.
Schedule of Apportionment of the Current