The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-20
EQUATION In THl SOUTH.
Report o: the Commissioner OC EducEiioE-
IKE Public school Syicn In tic Southern
States.

Repor, o. the Commissioners oC Educniicn-
Tke Public school Syicn In tic Southern
States.
WASHINGTON June 10 1871.
John Eaton, Jr Commissioner Of Education, has
just returned mere from the south, having made an
extensive tour OF inspection among the schools In
all The Southern Atlantic and Gulf States. lie re-
ports that there are about $500 schools now in
operation in Virginia. The JoT DAVIS mansion at
Richmond IS being converted lnto 4 public school
building, While there two now school houses be-
ing erected there, at an expense OF nov less than
$4,000 each. Tho principal 0. the Petersburg High
School Tor coored pupils was on General Lees S.an
during the war, and IS now one or the most Jealous
advocates OF the free school system the State of
Virginia The Super ltendent or Education at Rich
mond was also an officer in the Confederate army.
There was much in Virginia, as well as IN tho other
Southern States, that was gratifying, while there
were very many things that were dscOuraeing and
unayorabe 10 the work OF progressive free schools.
In North Carolina he found that the Legislature
had reduced The salary Of the state superintendent
and deprived him OF any clerical assistance for no
other purpose except to impair the efficiency and
usefulness of friend Of the common school system.
In many parts OF North Carolina the teachers OF
schools had received threatening letters from the
Ku Klux, warning them to quit the State or remain
Raleigh, the capital of the State the only edihce
used for the schools for whites was dllapiiated
building, q mere she'll, and wholly unfit tor that
purpose. The Quakers have done considerable to
establish good schools in some parts OF the state
At Wilmington the schools established just after tn
city was taken possession of by army have been
bought by the city authorities, and In flourish
ing condition. One OF these was the school started
by Amy Bradley Of Boston, who Is now an active
of no ebp Al
the county examiners,
In South Carolina the superintendent is zeal Gus
worker and is doing the best he can under the CIR
cumsances to improve the free school system. In
some parts the schools are very good, while In the
western part, particularly, they are OF an inferior
grade. The Charleston schools are all reported in
good order.
In Georgia the law providing for common school
system was only passed at the last session of the
Legislature. The State Superintendent has been
appointed and 1t is proposed to open the schools in
the fall. At present the authorities are struggling
over the question Of appropriations for the pur.
pose, which somewhat retards the preparatory
work.
In Alabama the free school system has been IN
operation two years, with fair success, and in many
or the large towns ana cities there very efficient
schools. There is, nevertheless, much opposition
In certain parts OF the State to allowing the schools
Mississippi, perhaps, OF all the Southern States
being upwards OF 5000 schools now In operation.
Here, as elsewhere, there IL much opposition and
persecution Of the teachers. In many Instances the
schools have been broken up and the teachers
driven away. There Is large number Of eX-COn.
ferate soldiers engaged IN teaching, and wherever
the schools are once firmly established the OPPOSE.
ton ceases. The system OF supporting the schools
In this State Is admirable one, and does much
TO popuiariZe the new plan OF educating the
masses.
In louisiana there are about 400 schools outside
OF New Orleans The difficulty here thar the
State Supreme Court has decided against the power
10 MAINTAIN schools under the Legislative enact
ment, and cOnsequen y In all parts OF the State tho
schools are embarrassed for want OF funds.
In Texas the Legislature has just passed q school
law. ana the only one enacted by Southern state
that has compulsory clause requiring children TO
attend school. The State superintendent and
Board of Education have been appointed. Funds
are at command, and Will be judiciOusy used. The
is giving the subject his earnest attention. The
state cOnsr abulay have thus far been very
full in preserving good order throughout the State.
The Tennessee schools are reported to be In fair
condition and constantly improving.
Commissioner Barnard did not visit Arkansas,
but says the free school system is more completely
successful IN that State than IN any other OF the
Southern States, and comes nearer the Northern
system. The school tax has been reduced by the
Legislature, which may limit the efficiency OF the
schools during the ensuing year.
The States Of Delaware Maryland and Kentucky as
ever, are opposed TO teaching "the young idea how
to shoot"
The Lincoln University, at oxford, Pa, has now
over 10 coored students. divided into regular cot
legiate classes and class OF ten VIII graduate this
year.