Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-08-24

ion; knowing the school question to
be one ofvital Importance to the future
welfare and prosperity of GAINESVILLE,
we are anxious some action should be
taken to secure such school system
as shall insure US good permanent
schools.
Respectfully,
G.. b. WILSON,
II. Z. GILBERT,
j. p. Y. WHITFIELD,
j. A. BATES,
j. j. HAMLET,
HENRY FRgcu.
licssrs. G. b. WILSON, X. E. Gilbert,
j. p. Y. Whitfield, j. A. Bates, j.
j. Hamlet and Henry Frech:
GENTLEMEN-We are frequently
called upon to answer such questions
as are contained in your note, and we
regret the necessity of reply ing that
there is no prospect at present for the
openings of public schools or estab,
fishing permanent system. Our
public schools were conducted under
the county system, and were compelled
to suspend for want ofmeans to carry
them on, and for the want of active
energetic commissioners, thoroughly
enlisted in the cause, in all parts OF the
county. to carry out and elevate the
system, In some districts men were
elected, who were in sentiment oppo-
sed to public schools, and better cal
culated to throw obstacles in the way
of progress, than To contribute to the
prosperity of the schools.
There has been so much complaint
Of high taxes and general depression,
that the friends of public schools
thought best not to ask the county
court to levy q tax for that purpose
this year.
1t is possible, however, that the city
of GAINESVILLE may adopt u permanent
system of graded schools. that will be
beneficial to the people and give char
acter to the town. The law provides
that the Board of Mayor and Alder
man, after submitting the question to
the people, should they vote for it,
may levy tax of twenty cents on the
hundred dollars worth of property ful
school purposes. This would create a
fund of $4,000 90; $1,000 90 might be
realized from poll privileges aud Ii
cense, and $1,000 90 from the Pea.
body fund. Probably $500 90 from
the government, and us much from the
State fund, a certain fund ofS6000 0C
and probably $1,000 90, or So, 900 co.
From what knowledge we have of the
public school system, we are satisfied
that high order of graded schools
furnishing education to every child. in
the city, white and colored, might be
conducted ten months in the year for
about $4,000 90, not exceeding
$4,000 90 at the out side; leaving
whatever balance to be devoted to
school building, provided no other ar.
rangement could be made for that pur,
pose, in which respect the city is sadly
in need. The commissioners have OK.
perience no little trouble in providing
houses and fuel for schools. The col
ored people have heretofore furnished
houses for their schools and they are
notl likely to need graded schools fol
some time to come.
I Such schools as you speak Of would
save The city from two to three thou
sand dollars year. The cost of ed
ucation to our city annually, is from
seven to eight thousand dollars. While
but few over half of the white chill
dren are in regular attendance.
! We heartily agree with you on the
Importance of this question to our city
and believe it possible that, should
the people want schools, an arrange
ment, if desirable. might be effected
with our colleges TO carry out the sys
tenn. though we have such assurances.
| The plan We would suggest, to test
; the question OF public schools, is, lei
the question be submitted to the people
at the October election, and if they
vote in favor of public schools, let them
also, at the same time, elect u Boart
of Mayor and Alderman, thoroughly
in sympathy with the cause, who mus
be trustees of the fund to carry ou
the system, choose Superintendent,
taking the whole matter under charge
Submitting this rs our views of the
question, and feeling DESTROYS to have
a general expression of sentiments
we suggest that the citizens of Clarks
vile meet at the court house Monday
; evening, September 2nd, at 7 o'clock
when q free discussion of the subjec
can be had. Let all who feel an in
terest in it, in any way, attend, ant
let there be popular open expression
Of views.
Respectfully,
K. w. HUMPHREYS, }
NJ V. INGRAM, Sch'l com
T. II. PURYEAR.