Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-08
STATE LEGISLATURE.
A Subject which Should Engage the
ElsenIOG OF Its Members.

A Subject which Should Engage the
AIsentIOG OF Ets Members.
To the Editor Of the Union and American:
notice an article in your paper Cf Tues
day, Jan. Z, copied from the Dyersburg
Progress, aGdre 5sd by Dr. i, Harris TO the
Legislature.
bee Lave rasp5C fully, representing the
educational interest Cf Tennessee, to reply
TO so much Of it IS relates 10 that subj5cf.
The Doctor says thsThe is, considering GER
tain facts thag are staring Us in the face, op-
DCsei 10 the LEGISLATURES e1teringupOl any
grand scheme Ct universal education to be
guDuOr. ed By taxation. He is inclined TO
think the former Legislatures acted wisely
in referring the matter 10 the several cOun-
ties in the State. / cannot consider this ar
ticle as one o. the Doctors hspp.est efforts,
and particularly thePointS | reproduce.
l au satisfied that the people desire a
Grand scheme Of universal education, sup.
ported By taxation. Ali they desire is that
the system be the most practical, thorough
and universal, aud that it be honestly aud
imp1rtialiy conducted, with the least ex
panse per child that viii secure good EGG
iish education.
/ an surprised TO find a man that lives Ia
this aga and country that has discovered any
fac.s staring LIS III the face, 50 hideOu5 and
terrifying IS ignorance and vice, or thai any
obligation or necessity resting upon us is
more binding than educating the rising
generation. What, wait uutl the trees
shall bear fruit of gold and green5ack
leaves before We educate, Then that tine
will never coma. We arc already behind
other States in this regard, and il behooYes
US TO &C if VIC arc men, and if we are not,
T- I BE-. =. g ".
lapse aEa n into the shape aGd status Of our
sp3-llke ancestors.
! have 9 paper in my possession showing
from actual experiment that TIE public
school system, as practiced in Davidson
county. IS tle cheapest, most practical and
tborough for the people. Including the pay
ment Of superintendent, teachers, all other
officers and incidental expenses, children
can be sclOgled for Sl.50 to $l.GD per
mo D.
As to referring the matter back to the
counties, spa-kug IS voter and one Of the
people, look upon it 2s q week and Ten.
der-hc-r.aJ SuJyeriUg2. The people send
their Representatives to the Capitol tC
frame and shape laws and systems or give
sound reasons for opposing them. We
select, or think we % at l2aSL
men of brain and judgment and
moral courage 10 conceive preal
and good measures aud execute them
like a man; not by Stepping ginzerIv round
and round thing and finally sneak back
to the people, and say, here, don't know
what TO do about this matter, nor what ty
tell you to do. The people have, every
one, their private affairs to look after, an,
have not time DOr the requisite standpoint
for maturiDg systems. They elected Re
presgn.alve5 for that very purpose, an,
they should do it.
And ] tell you that he who comes on
boldly and plants himself firmly upon th,
principle, "a grand scheme of uliyersa
education to be supported by taxation" J
placing himself in the liUe for promotion
He is taking the lead in the great march
th2 world il is onward movement.
Il. B. MARBURY.