Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-10-20
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCA-
TON FOR IS71-PP. us. 81

We have before us the I'd annual report
of General J. Eaton, Jr., Commissioner of
Education. In addition to the report
proper, we have statement of the pro-
gress of education in the United States,
made up, mainly, of abstracts from reports
of school officers in the States and Terrific
ries of the educational condition of the
Indians the various instrumentalities for
the diffusion of knowledge; the educa-
ton of the blind and an elaborate and val
liable review of education in Foreign
countries. g,
Underthe head of special articles, we
have number of brief but highly interest
ing essays on female education; Cooper
Union education Of artisans; Kindergar-
den of which we wish more was practically
known in this country musical education;
relation of leaning to insanity and crime,
and the press as an educator.
Following this, we have series of essays
relating to education in the States and Ter
rtories which for long time to come will
be useful for reference. i 7
We trust that in his next report he may
be able to give better account of things
in the South, and especially in Tennessee.
We are proud to say that to-day there is a
better condition than when his report was
written. ..,.. -a.l
The tide of popular feeling concerning
public schools has turned in Tennessee;
those who opposed them stoutly have
yielded to the pressure and many of them
are now laboring earnestly in their insti-
tuition and progress.
We are confident that the first report Of
Gen. Eaton has proved itself an active
missionary in the cause of free public ed
ucation. .-
Could his effective labors have been con-
tinued with us in Tennessee, our condition
here would be different from what we now
see. What we lost the whole people have
gained, and we may yet reap hereafter
from his labors.
We are sorry to be obliged to assent to
the full truth of the report concerning the
South. He says, ''the information from
the Southern States reveal a condition of
CdlCuIdGcu W AllVoO ~
found solicitude.n To remedy the evil he
invokes, with much earnestness of argu-
ment, the aid of the General Government
in the shape of a new grant of land, or the
distribution of the amount of sales of the
public lands, on condition of an equal
amount being raised in each Congressional
district equal to the donation and free COM
mon schools opened for the benefit of all.
The commissioner has opened here an
important and interesting subject. BY
his tabulated statistics lie shOws--what
but few, probably, are familiar with-the
fact that before the formation of our pres
.ent form of government, the cause of gen.
eral education had been entertained by
Congress, and from as early a date as 1903
grants and reserves have been made for ed
ucational purposes.
We deem the subject of vast Importance
| and may recur to it again. Meanwhile we
hope that Congress will give to it favor
able consideration.
The volume reveals the thoughtful care
and industry of the commissioner; and we
hope the day is near when Congress shall
give to him a wider scope for his eminent
ability for the position he occupies, by a
wider field for its exercise.