Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-21

I uRA H37AAANNAf III aflNur-
/ RepOrter-Am l 30 understand you
then, rs saying that, while you do nc
fully concur with the views expresse
| by the APPEAL, yet you 90 agree ths
the superlntendent's Office should b
continued and the schools carried ON a
they have been2 In other words, d
you concur generally with the views ex
pressed by Mr.. Meriwether and Othei
on his side, or by the APPEAL and Il
correspondence
Mr. Tyler-Mr. Meriwether is an In
telligent gentleman, who thinks, az I dc
for himself, aud the APPEAL las editor
and correspondents who think for them
selves. I prefer announcing my owl
opinions TO the statementof cOncunenc
with anybody. I do agree that the So
periuteDdent's Office should be cOnun
Ded, aud that the schools should be ear
ried on; but do not agTee that eithe
should be done without regard to ex
pense, or by taxation without q limita
ton 10 the course OF study to be pursued
To what extent should taxation 90
seems TO me 10 be The gist OF the issu
involved in the discussion Of this sub
iect-what limitation should be fixed t
he expenditure of public money
To a community already burdenet
with nearly six per cent. taxation; ant
when even that IS found insufficient Il
pay OFT any portion af the bonded in
debtedness, and even to keep down cur
rent expenditures and pay OFF the In
terest, not only that great economy o
cash expenditure should he the watch.
word, but also that not one cent should
'be added 10 the debt Of the city by the
issuance OF more bonds, to be sold al
fifty per cent. or less than par OF theiI
value. Justice to our creditors requires
this. unless, unlike other individuals
corporations are privileged to run on tC
insolvency. The city Of Memphis should
cut It's coat according to the cloth, pre-
eiseiy AS its private citizens are com.
PEELED TO do. IL ia dishonest 10 expend
literally, even for 9 good purpose, with.
ont the adequate means And il may
be fairly questioned whether q city
which already owes more than il can
pay without distress to its citizens, and
without driving out, instead of inviting
In, the investment Of capital, can
be excused for issuing additional
bonds, and running still more
IN debt. The total amount in
cash expended last year, as reported
through me to the State superintendent,
was S94, 3l5 50 How much this sum
was augmented asa weight on the tax
payer by the issuance of bonds and their
sale at less than par, am not precisely
except to say that the sum was
far rom ineOnsiderable. Whether these
figures are TO be continued, or increased
or diminished, and whether by more
promises TO pay or by direct taxation re-
mRins to be determined. am certain
Is not less decidedly 3 friend Of Men,
phis public schools than OF those of the
county and State. believe that schools
and education are cheaper, rs well as
more beneficial, than penalties and tails.
And think it for the interest of tax
payers to eXpend their money more
freely in making good citizens than in
furnishing bad ones. This is the argu-
ment and basis on which the public
school system of the country have been
and on which taxation Of
the people has always been justified by
the friends Of education. But to what
extent does the argument 20, what Is
the limit, il any, to which such taxation
should be confined? II the object TO be
Is to make good citizens,
IS It necessary and proper TO provide fur
classical education, or TO rest satisfied
with what may be taught IN the pri-
mary schools; and beyond that let the
expenditure Of money be voluntary
lnly, and never eo.Dpulsory2 [ take
he ground that ldr0tiOH for education
'fgond The r7tctiBleats Of LRolCledge can
not DC 3ust.fie1 on any principle. It has
never been pretended TO be justified, so
ar as I know, by any statesman of dis
incuOn, and becomes oppressive when
sver that limit is exceeded. 1t is then
without right and an abuse of power.
An argument which would Justify it
would be equally good FOR the establish
nent of the higher universities In every
Ounty Of the land. Let the excellent
,ublic schools Of Memphis be literally
ustained by voluntary means. But, st
,ublic expense, either the State should
Drovide for children in the country lust
g good as those OF the city, the same
iassicsl schools, or whatever the cost
f what may be in excess of the
Urinary education should be alike
'oiuntary in both cases. NiDefy-eigilt
choois Of Shelby county cost last year,
or an absence Of four and One-half
months continuance. 81, $40 80. But
0uble the time Of instruction and
50, 900 will furnish for the same pOpula-
ION sufficient means for all the educa-
ion nine.tenths Of mankind are capa-
lie Of receiving.
Reporter-What do you think Of edu-
ating the negroes?
Mr.. Tyler-I think the State should |
rOvide for all It's youth alike the means !
education in the branches OF a COM |
lOn English education. The negro is |
n initiative being, and learns the signs |
ideas more readily than the whites. |
Whether he will go beyond the point of !
hitch the poet speaks when he says,
"a little learning is a dangerous thing"
problemstiesl, If the possibility has
OF already been negatiyed. Let volun. |
Try expenditure educate all alike. But
he enforcement of taxes should 90 no |
irther than the common school educa.
on.
RepJrter-What was the difference in
,st for last year of the city and county
hOOls2
Mr.. Tyler-T have heretofore stated
lat the amount reported by Mr.. Carnes
I tie city schools was S94 Sl5 50. The
luDty school expenditure, as reported
? the school directO, OF the different
vii distFiets, was SGT $40 80, making
tai OF Sl2l 965 q, and the difference
sing $68 666 43. The average daily at
ndance Ia the ninety-eight schools of
e county was 1858 10 the city the
yeTsge attendance was 2749.
RepOTter-.What Is the difference in
e curriculum or the branches Taught
the city and country schools, and
bat the difference Of time?
Mr. Tyler-phe country schools are
lly taught photography, reading, writ
z, mental and written arithmetic, Il
grammar and United States
story, as the general rule, though in
rge number of the schools other and
CHER branches were taught. In the
Nv schools a complete preparation for
6 higher colleges may he had.
the salary Of the city su-
Is 5000, in cash, what is
at OF the county superintendent, and
e necessary expenditures provided for
either case?
Mr.. Tyler-The salary OF the county ,
Is SLIGO, in county war
nts. now equivalent 10 1850 10 cash, |
othing is provided for expenditure in
her ease, suppose.
what Mr.. FrsnkEsna Has 60 Say.
Our interviewing reporter called on {
T. FARMLAND on Tuesday, and inter- !
ewed him in regard 10 the public I
lOol question, with the following
,ult:
Reporter-MF. Farmland the AP-i
AL il endeayoring 10 ascertain the {
sws Of various gentlemen upon the
beet OF free,sebOols, and my visit is
Interview you upon this subject. I
ar. FrankisndA-I will be pleased to /
re you any information that is In my !
wer, though 1 90 not see what may 5
: can add anything more 10 what the
peal has said.
the Hebrew citizens in I
'er Of public city schools?
Mr.. Frankland-They are TO an en-
afv. every one Of Them Their chill