New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-11
AN FnnnArrnNAL. P1Nn.


guard for republican government, and
therefore the attempt to establish system
of national education by Congress should
meet the hearty approval of the people
and public press Of this country. The
cause Of public education has not received
proper attention in the last in the South
ern States, and since the adjustment of
slavery there is greater need than ever be-
fore in the South for the establishment of
a system Of public schools that will secure
instruction for all.
Notwithstanding the general admission
that education is essential for the support
and advancement of republican govern
ment, it must be admitted that political
causes have conspired, in certain locali-
ties, to prejudice the minds of portion of
the people against the dissemination Of
knowledge among all classes of people To
counteract this effect of local prejudice,
lnstigated by an unsound political motive,
philanthropic men have entered upon the
noble work Of founding, by an act Of Con-
gress, national educational fund, which
is to be devoted to the establishment of
national system of public education.
To remedy the, in some sections, grow
ing evil of ignorance, bill was first intro
duced into the lower branch of Congress
on the twenty-ffth day of February, 1870,
entitled an act to establish system of
national education. The introduction of
the bill was the entering wedge to discus
sion upon an aIl-important subject Its
advocates did not expect to accomplish its
passage through Congress without much
delay and opposition, and its final defeat
did not disappoint them. They were con-
tent in having brought the matter before
Congress, and in that way attracted the
serious attention of the people at large to
a subject of vital Importance to them.
The discussions upon this bill served to
show that it was constitutional and prac-
ticable for Congress to pass such law.
The principle laid down by the Dem
ocrats of Connecticut, shat the source of
power being in the people, free schools
and general education are essential to good
government and the perpetuation of free
institutions" was cited in support of the
constitutional right of Congress to legis-
late in matters Of this kind. Congress, it
is understood, viii not attempt to interfere
with State schools but it is proposed that,
as the education of the people is essential
to the continuance of republican govern
ment, it is the duty of the national govern
ment to see that a national system of pub
lie education is established by law.
For this purpose a bill has, during the
present session Of Congress, passed the
House of Representatives entitled san act |
to establish an educational fund, and to |
apply the proceeds of the public lands to
the education of the people" This bill |
forever consecrates and sets apart the pro-
ceeds of the public lands for this purpose
in the foil owing manner: One-half the re-
ceipts for lands, after deducting expendi- |
lures, is to be distributed among the
States, Territories and District of Colum- |
bia; the other half is to be invested, and /
fund created whose income is to be dis
tributed in like manner.
For ten years the distribution is to be
on the basis of illiteracy; afterward, &C
cording to the population between four
and twenty-one years of age. Each State
will be entitled to its share of the first
distribution that before January l, 1873,
or within two months of the first meeting
of its Legislature thereafter, shall have
engaged that it viii provide by law for the
free education Of all its children between
the ages of six and' sixteen, and will apply
all moneys which it shall receive under
this act in accordance with its conditions.
After the first distribution each State will
receive its share which has complied with
the following conditions:
First-It shall have made provision for
the education of its children as required
above.
Second-H shall have applied all
moneys by it previously received under
this act in acc ordance Herewith.
Third-It shall, through the proper off
GER thereof, for the year ending the thir-
-ieth day of June last preceding such APP
oortionment, make full report of thenum-
Der Of schools free to all the children
hereof, the number of teachers employed,
he number of schoolhouses owned, the
jotal number of children taught during
.he year, the daily attendance, and the
number of mon tbs Of the year schools
shall have been maintained in each of the
several school districts or divisions of said !
S ate, and the amounts appropriated by [
the Legislature for the purpose of main /
tanning a system of free public schools.
The act further provides that these sums
are to be distributed by the State among
its school districts in either Of the three
prescribed ways, as it shall think fit and I
to be applied only to the payment of |
OF common schools, except that a t
sum not exceeding fifty per cent the first '
year, and ten afterward may, in the dis
erection Of the State, be applied to the paw
ment Of teachers Of schools for the ednca- !
ton of teachers.
1t is estimated that the future net pro- i
ceeds of the sales Of public lands NAV !
amount tn two million dollars o,,,,,,o11-- :