The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-02-19
Edueatiora, iia i'ro., the csyernmen:.

| a very important bill is now before
congress, a, indeed it was at the las:
session, proposing the division of the
net proceeds arising from the sales OF
the public lands to the purpose of in
school systems Of the various States. II
WAS introduced by the Hon. George +.
iIoar, OF Massachusetts, Chairman o;
! the committee on Education and Labor,
a man of high culture, aud distinguished
us friend OF education, who has dcvo-
ted some OF the best years of his youth
tul life to a study OF the best M ans Of
overcoming ignorance and Improving
schools OF all grades. lie is = friend
iof colleges, universities, agricultural
and technical schools; but he holds that
their efficiency ard Development hinges.
in large degree, upon the excellence of
the common schools. He argues that if
we foster our common schools and max {
them wha, they should be, the higher
schools will, in great degree, take care
OF themselves.
Mr. Hoar's proposition is simply this:
| That it is the duty OF the General Gov
crn,nent to all in de:eiopinga proper
system of education in the several States.
Probably his present aim can best be
disclosed by quoting from the BAL. The
| first section begins with this very com
prchensIve deciar,ion "That the net
proceeds of the public lands are hereby
forever consccratei aud set apart for the
education of the public" This object
the bill seeks TO attain by dividing the
proceeds arising from the sales of the
public Lands among tho Statcs-as a con-
trbu;it n 10 their several school funds.
The basis upon which this distribution
is to be made is a very simple, and AT
the same time, as it strikes us, very
Just one. For tho first FIVE years OF its
operation it is based upon the iiliteracy
OF the peopie-upon the number ot their
respective populations who cannot write
rs shown by The last preceding census /;
al the end of that time II is lett for Con-
gress TO take such course IN the pr"pcr
distribution of the fund as IL shall deem
proper.
The bill expressly s;ipulates that this
iisp. sition o. these fands Is not 10 re-
peal, impair, or suspend, any law now
authorizing the pre- cmpiion OF the pub
lie lands, or their entry for homcsieasis
nor as limiting in any way the power
OF Congress 20 alter cor extend the bone
stead privilege. Neither IS it to limi; or
abriase the power oil Congress oser the
pabl:g. domain, er TO interior with the
grantin. of bounty land. 20 the soldiers
and sailors eft our late ~ar. All of these
beaefieent provisions now II forre, or
which it way be deemed wise and iust TO
enact in the future, arc not 10 he inter-
tered With; bat .ueh ret proceeds as may
ar:se-ssiimated to be about Ss,Vvo,vJV
per aanGm--shaii be &c, apart tor cdaca-
tional purposes as above stated. The
bill sets forth al length wha, each State
and Terri.oryard the District efColsmbia
shall do in order TO eniitlc IL tn fheFrcpcr
au oia of these fHnds-;se main point OF
which IL, thai il shall establish system
Of free soaosis. Oas-haIf 81 this money
is TO go direct 20 the States or Terrs"-
res, and the other half is "a be invested
in government bonds, and che recipients
of the national bounty will receive The IN
iercst which arises from them.
THIS bill is fair oae- IL sess up no
particular system Of Instruction II sisss
upon no specific seheae; - in ne inter
est save that Of pops'ar sdursa'ea- The.
States are i-., 10 ds.pese Of u - - their
own w;sdur skais eeem Test provided