New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-12-18
k;IuCai; "a os iEc People.

Hon. Geo. +. Iioar, from the Committee
Of the House on Education aud Labor, has
reported 10 the House a bill which strikes US
Of the very greatest Importance to the whole
country, and prominently important to the
colOred people of the South. Its title is "a
Bill TO Establish an Educational Fund and to
apply the Proceeds Of the Public Lands to
the Education Of the People," We present
an abstract below of its various rrovi-
sions:
Section first consecrates and sets apart
forever the net proceeds Of all the public
lands now unappropriatcd, and not subject
to presumption, for the education Of the
people.
Section second provides that the Secretary
OF the Interior shall cause an account to be
taken ut the close Of each year Of all the
money received and expended on account of
the sale of public lands, and certify to the
Secretary Of the Treasury the amount Of net
cash proceeds after deductiug all expenses.
Section third requires the Secretary of the
Treasury to invest one-half the money thus
received in Government bonds, bearing five
per cent. interest, which shall constitute a
perpetual national educational fund" 1t
also requires him to, on or before July lst
OF each year, report to the Secretary of the
Interior and the Commissioner of Education
the amount of said fund and interest, and
the amount due thereon Of the fiscal year
last preceding this certificate.
Section fourth requires that upon the re-
ceIpt OF the certificate as required in section
third, the Commissioner of Education, under
the direction Of the Secretary of the Interior.
shall appropriate the onehalf the net pro-
cecds OF the preceding year among the
several States and Territories and the Dis
lation, between the ages of five and twenty
one years of age, according TO the preceding
general census, pr1ridci that for tho first
two years the distribution shall be made ac-
corling to the number of their respective
populations OF ten years old and upwards
who cannot write, &c.
Section fifth provides that such States, &c.,
as have engaged to provide by law for the
free education OF all children between the
ages of six and sixteen years, and will apply
all moneys received under this act In accord
ance with its conditions before 1875, shall
be entitled To receive their share of the
money.
Section sixth provides that sum not ex-
cceding onc-half the amount thas received
the first year, and not exceeding ten per
cent. thereafter, may be appl.ed at the die
cretion OF the Legislature 10 the education of
teachers.
Section seventh lay. down ,he conditions
upon which States and Territories ~ill be
entitled TO its share after the first year. They
are a law for the education Of all children.
The faithful application of money previ-
ously received to this object, make full re-
port for the year ending June 90 last pre-
cedinS such app"rtionment, of the rumber
houses owned and hired, total number Of |
children taught during the year, actual daily
attendance, &c.
Section eighth requires the Commissioner
Of Education to certify each year, TO the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury, as to each State, &c,
whether it is entitled TO receive its share of
The apportionment under the act, and the
amount to which it is entitled without which
it shall not be paid without the
authority of Congress.
Section ninth pperuribes tho duties Of the