Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-11-20
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The impression 10 prevalent throughout the
Union that the civil rights bill. if passed bv
Congress, will have disastrous effect on the
common school system of the country. Nor
10 thie apprehension without good and sufflci
ent reason. In Tennessee and North Caro>
lima the issue has been fairly made, and the
result Is such a. to justify the wors; possible
fears for the future.
The North, where the ultra doctrine Of
civil rights finds its chief supporters. has
never been able to understand that sentiment
which rebels At the idea Of social equality 10
the South. 1t is not opposition to universal
education, ~ many suppose. On the con-
trary, the whites readily perceive that hopes
for the future of the eouth lie in this direc.
ton. They have co-operated with every
possible method to advance it. The Peabody
education fund was accepted with gratitude
only known to communities where the ad.
vantages of education were few. and The diff,
ficulties attending it slnos. controlling and
paramount. Its revenues lave been largely
devoted to the maintenance of model schools
IN oil the large cities and towns. Systematic
aid has been given by the States The press
| and the intelligent sentiment Of the CONS
munity has supported and sustained it.
In the middle States Of the South the
schools under white control have rapidly in>
creased in number and influence. South
Carolina has done but little. Texas and
Georgia although not SO Successful in inaugu>
rating the school system as the other States
are doing all that they can. Until recently
they have been in the hands of adventures
with their energies repressed, and their efforts
at prosperity retarded BY political treachery.
BIT IN addition to these difficulties the peo.
pie are poor. The effects Of the war sull
linger, and taxation Is Az oppressive neccs-
| sity submitted to with reluctance. The peo>
pie from past political training, are opposed
to The State controlling the system Of COM
mon schools. These are. however, difficult
coun se surmounted. Stepby step the sd
vocatee Of the system have conquered re>
s;sta,ce. uDt:' the whole South was ready to
rece We II. che white ard black children
e,r4,y enjoyed its bsredtb in separate
1chdc:s.
IN the heels of this nordition of things
CIV - ciril rights bill. The effect has
te,n ,sas rous. Work ceased upon South
e.a ,c;.ool houses, end tie, engagements Of
teachers were Cancelled. The uncertainty Of
its 6nal fate still exercises disririting in
fllelce. .,,
A, measure designed to Benefit the negro
it is suicidal. They have nothing to gain and
eyevthing to lose BY it. If the civil rights
bill with its present proviso in regard TO
schools becomes law, the system Of COM
mon schools will be abolished. The negro
caniot survive it, because he owns no prop
er,y and pays no taxes. The whites, on the
contrary, sustain all the expenses OF inc
eclools. These schools are for both white
and black. although in separate buildings
Tn, negroes, in order to satisfy fantastic
whm. choose to intrude into the White
schools: and the whites, rather than tolerate
the association, will cease voting schoo'
fund or paying taxes TO create one. iney
"a, educate their children q home; but the
peuuiless negro will have to 80 without
Ths will ba The resuit.-{St. Louis Times.