Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-11-26
Trss Schools and the Democratic
Party.

depenueht, anu
during the late campaign, was tha'
the Democratic party was opposed 10
Free Schools This is SO easy OF
refutation, that the assertion is rs
foolish as il Is false.
Some OF those States which are
now enjoying the utmost advantages
OF Free School education, had their
systems inaugurated and provided
for by Democratic legislatures
Ofthe Southern States, those which
have been under Democratic govern
meuI since the war. have systems OF
free education in full operation and
prospering, while those which have
been under Republican rule, while
they have a nominal system, have
no funds, and they are not enjoying
comparatively any educational sd
vantages,
A most strikingcOntrast is exhibited
in this matter between the States OF
North Carolina and Virginia, lying
contiguous and side by side; in Vir'
GINA, except for the first guber
Material term since the var, we see a
Democratic administration; 1t is true
that Radical convention made the
Constitution in which the provision for
Free schools was inserted, but It was
made with the full assent of the dem
ocrats in that body; but they made
no provision for setting the system IN
motion; that remained for the Legs
lature 20 do; il was a Democratic
Legislature and Democratic officers
who provided the ways and means
who put the system in motion 1t was
under Democratic Superintendents
and School Trustees that the system
was brought 70 its present state OF
efficiency and made the model system
Of the Southern States and source
of pride to ali connected with it.
DIR: Ruffner, the efficient Superin-
tendent of Free Schools in Virginia
says in his report this year;
1.-The years work was commenced
with greater vigor than had previous
" been manifested at any time. Our
finances were in comparatively good
condition our operations had been
confessedlv successful; hostility had
ceased the system had taken deep
err hold upon the public mind; lead
ing men were giving it unwOnted
countenance both political parties
had placed the school system prOmm-
emily in their platform; everything
proclaimed that universal, impartial,
free education Tor white and cOlored,
had become a settled feature in our
State policy; when, 10 confusion
and decentralization suddenly perva-
ded our ranks; and had the House Of
Representatives seconded the action
of the Senate Of the United States in
the matter Of civil rights our school
system would have received It's death
blow in two hours after the fact be
came known to the Legislature.
Many building and other enterprises
instantly halted, subdued opposition
revived, and strange 10 say, some
schools suddenly lost the most of their
pupils. And what was to'he especial
iy regretted, the growing feeling Of
cordiality toward the education OF the
colored people was chilled. Fortu-
nately, the alarm did not occur until
the schools generally were nearing
their conclusion, ant thus We are EN-
abled to exhibit results which, though
not so favorable as they otherwise
would have ben, still are highly
gratifying.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Thirteen thousand more children
were enrolled in the schools last year
than tho year preceding-thus re
trieving the loss OF the previous year,
and gaining $500 over the attend
ance of any previous year. The gain
IN the counties Is very great, which
will De seen by Observing that there
was a loss in the cities of 1,T3t
which makes the gain in the counties
nearly $4,000; aud it is worthy of
note that the gain of numbers during
the past year is relatively greater
with the blacks than with the whites.
The enrolment of whites in 1873 was
1929; in 1874, l21,7S9-peroeDt-
age of gain, 80. The enrolment OF
eOlored in 1873 was AZ 596; in 1874,
80, OS6-percentage Of gain, 9,43.
SCHOOL POPULATION AND SCHOOLS.
Number between FIVE and twenty
ope years Of age; White, 259, 500
eolored, 1897. Aggregate, 1885,
s26.
Number of public schools tonly
cities of the first class are included,
except when otherwise stated y; In
cities. 1873; in counties, 2,704 Ia
the State-White, 2,90S; colored,
994. Aggregate 1902.
Average number Of months taught:
In cities, 9,05 in counties, SIT
Number OF graded schools (includ-
ell in number reported): In cities.
80; in counties, 30. In the State
White, 1G9; colored. 46. Aggre-
gate, 255. Number OF schools vet
needed which viii average 10 pupils,
1905.
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