The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-07-10
Public Schools in Maury cOun-


The following is a synopsis of the
remarks made by Supt. J. H. WILKES,
before the County Court on Monday
Mr.. Wilkes said that he wished to
make verbal report of the present
condition of the public schools-he
had visited many of them and attend
ed good many examinations within
the last month, and was happy to be
able to say, his impressions were of
the most favorable character. In all
of them he had witnessed a spirit of
emulation and a degree of interest,
exhibited by both teachers and pupils,
that convinced him beyond doubt,
that great impulse had been given
70 the cause of education by instru-
mentalities of some kind. He believed
that the harmonious cooperation of
the State, Counties and Districts, and
the constant visitations of the County
Superintendent. constituted a system,
far ahead of any heretofore adopted,
and was destined ia q few years. to
bring forth great results AS an officer
If the Court, he was bound to dis
charge bis duty faithfully, and say to
them, that ia their action at the April
Term, they had violated the goth Sec
ton of Public School law, and taken
away from the schools, all the means
by which they could be successfully
conducted He fully understood the
circumstances and the feelings which
had brought about this action SYM
pathized with them, and if he had
been a member of the Court ut the
time, would, no doubt, have voted the
same way, but times had now chang
ed, and the dark cloud had passed
away, at least, for the present, and in
behalf of tue little children of the
country, he prayed the Court TO re-
cind itS action of April and fall back
to the January aSseasIlent. He knew
that many persons were opposed TO
pubic schools-many that had 40
children and many who were able to
send their children to any school they
pleased, thought it great hardship TO
pay taxes to educate the children of
others; but he thought such objections
were not we'll founded and all argu
ments of this character We're entirely
fallaciOuS, and for this reason; The
Public School system, by its influence
upon the masses in enlightening their
minds, by its elevating and moral tell
denotes, thereby producing higher
grade Of civilization, is vastly more
important to every member of the
community in which he lives, than
the small amount of taxes he has tn
oav .oriis ssppGFt-tbat it will build
m i'm tho Ian; "a conservative element,
that in the end. win D., III ms y lSto,,
eminent ten times its cost. IT. 'NA
cheaper to prevent crime than to pun /
ish il, and the money paid into crimi- |
nal courts is more than enough to run |
the schools the whole year In this |
way the conservative element thus |
in the State, benefits every |
man in the land, rich or poor, wheth- |
er he has children or not, and in the |
end, secures not only more thorough |
protection to his person and property, |
but diminished taxation. All edu !
and criminal statistics prove |
unquestionably that ignorance and |
crime go hand in hand. Mr.. Wilkes |
further stated that he did not believe |
the next legislature would repeal the |
Public School law, unless compelled |
by hostile Interference in our domestic |
affairs. in conclusion, he would say, |
that he knew this worshipful body, |
from long and intimate association,
and believed, that when they had |
made up their minds freely, every |
thing would be right