Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-04-18
REMARKs OF HON. }. d. TILL
s MAN.

& MAN.
We cannot refrain from publishing a
part of the remarks made by Hon. j. d.
Tillman Of Lincoln county, in the House
u Representatives, on the 18th of March
.. the bill to create the Office of Su-
rsindsnt Of Public instruction. His
tisvs and are 60 just and discriminating
eAa ara presented in such clear language
had supported By such conclusive reason
fnf that We offer nc apology for pub
iishing his speech. except that its tendon
ey will be to promote the great cause Of
education by showing the necessity for a
central head.
It may be added that Mr. Tillman is
the Chairman of the Committee on Pub
lie School and Education, and while he is
no unreasonable advocate of an impracti-
eible system Of free schools, he yet feels
that the question is one which cannot be
ignored by the Legislature and that an
enlightened craftsmanship will seek rath-
sr to adopt the most feasible plan of pro-
noting public education than to shift the
responsibility upon future Legislatures.
Not wishing to discuss the advantages
of education as it relates to the individual
or the state he continues:
"A Superintendent is needed in order
that such in Information as is here mentioned
may be presented to the Legislature for
its guidance. and to the people for their
instruction and consideration. He is
needed as a counsellor, 10 advise and d.
rect in the organization and management
of schools in counties, where they are first
being organized under inexperienced CON-
missioners. The influenced of a practi-
cal and intelligent man would go far to
secure the adoption of uniform and whole
some text books. He could suggest and
secure uniform rules for the government
of pupils and teachers.
The dissemination of practical knowl-
edge on educational subjects, will secure
wiser legislation in future changes in the
school laws if made at all will be more
permanent and beneficial, for they will
have for their foundation facts instead of
theories,
If the Office of Superintendent is Gre
= ated, and a man of broad, liberal and
practical ideas is appointed, we will soon
ascertain whether a general or State sys-
tenn of public education is possible, and if
it is found impracticablc, there need be no
more agitation of this troublesome ques-
ton.
l do not insist hat this measure will
Immediately produce great results in the
establishment Of schools and the actual
advancement of education among the alb
~solutely illiterate, but | do claim that it
may be compared to the planting of seeds,
which ere long bring forth fruit, some
thirty, some fifty, and some an hundred
: fold.
How many tax payers are there in the
State who know that there ninety thou
sand voters. or onc>third of the whole vo-
ting population who cannot read and
write?
How many are there who know that
there are one hundred and thirty thou
sand mothers who cannot teach their chill
dren the alphabet?
How many of the watchful guardians
of the State Treasury and grumblers over
che expenses of State prosecutions are
eognizant of the fact, that according to
ROputdtiOup bHCI6 " DIX Wuitc uIGuuCa-
ted, convicted criminals to every one ed
ucated and half educated?
Every asylum for the afflicted and I'M
fortunate. every puplic hospital for the
sick and diseased, are the abodes, in an
unequal proportion, of the ignorant or the
children of the ignorant.
The people, you say, arc opposed to
public schools. l admit it, and so they
will always be, if you deny Them the
means of knowing the number who ought
10 be educated, and the costs of educating
them.
This bill does not propose to force upon
an unwilling people any new or fixed pol
icy, but it proposes to furnish through the
agency of an intelligent superintendent of
educational affairs such information and
statistics as will either lead to the repu-
diation of the whole idea of public cduca-
ton. or the adoption of our present sys-
TEN, or some other as the determined pol
icy Of the State.
1t proposes no changes in the school laws
and | am opposed to changes in all gener-
al laws, unless there is a manifest neces-
sity for them.
L have reviewed our present county sys-
with a view of indicating our State from
the assertion that We have no school system,
ard I.have endeavered to show that, that
system is the best adapted to our resources
and the wishes of our people.
The passage of the bill will necssitate
the expenditure Of a few dollars only to
each county, and yet it is believed that
its effect will be to incite a general inter-
est among tho people on this important
question.
No legislative body can wisely and
prudently direct legislation without proper
information for its guidance, and unless
this bill is passed the next Legislature
will convene as ignorant of educa tion2l
affairs as we have been.
5 We may perhaps learn from an efficient
Superintendent whether the statement that
common schools arc desirable as a mat
ter of economy. is true or false.
Airnicss EducatieR.