Richland beacon., 1875-03-06
The Public School. Question.


our remarks concerning the public
schools we presumed it would. But
to begin with the first of its struggling
reply, what IN the name of old Nick
does it mean by stating that three
fonrths Of the teachers employed in
Richland were white? What has
their color to do with it? Though
really we do net consider the white
schools as belonging to the free or
public schools, because the patrons
pay the teachers three and four times
as much as they receive out of the
public fund, and keep up the schools
whether they are receiving any oi the
public money or not, just as we have
repeatedly urged the colored patrons
to do. We have never accused these
teachers of corruption. In reply to
the defiance ito prove the slightest
fraud or corruption in the conduct Of
the present school board" we have
the same reply to maize; the fraud is
where the stake is more tempting.
We, however, do now bring the
charge Of neglect against the board
and others connected with the manage
ment of the public schools in this
parish a few days since the trcasur-
er of the board informed us that he
was going to return the school funds
in his hands, which he has no doubt
done, because there was no place for
them to he applied to their legitimate
purposes. AS we do not claim to
POSSESS as large sbarc.of the brain of
North Louisiana as the Lntelligencer
man does, nor to he SO well posted in
regard 10 his business (the public
schooD, we may be mistaken as to
the duties of the board. hut we were
under the impression that it was one
of their duties to at least encourage
the establishment of schools where
they are needed and there certainly
is great need of them in various parts
of this parish.
We do not know whether TO infer
from the remarks of the InteUigencer
an intention to intimate that the old
board was guilty of fraud or not. If
it was we would like to have the
proof, though we are not so defiant"
on the subject as this modern Atlas,
who carries about upon his shoulders
such ponderous globe Of brain. He
says it was composed of Democrats.
Well really, We do not remember the
political complexion Of the old board
at the time they were in Office, and,
therefore, will not dispute this point
with him, though we believe MAORI
ty of them now claim to be good
Republicans, and some of them are
members of the present board.
The following lines show the parti
san spirit of this editor, as well as
bis ignorance of the sentiments of the
writer and the readers of the BEACON.
There is no one more willing to en-.
courage all kinds Of educational enter
prises among all classes of persons
regardless of cOlor-than we are, and
we are satisfied that our readers are
persons Of large and charitable views
on the subject. But, reader, here is
what be says of US:
"The Beocon's article is but the
ranting utterances of prejudice, iyno-
rance and spleen. 1t knows nothing
about the public schools, except that
they exist under Republican manage.
ment. This fact distresses it sorely.
If the party friends Of the Beacon had
the power every free school in our
State would be closed, just as they
have been closed in Arkansas by the
same enemies Of progress and popular
education. Kentucky, with its 5000
school districts. 10 which not more
than 100 school house can he found
fit for use, is an apt illustration of
Democratic interest in common educa-
ton"
Now the writer is unpardonably
ignorant of the true sentiment of our
people, being blinded by low-spirited
partisan hate, or be utters willful
aud malicious falsehood.
All we know about the school land
is that it was put up at auction to the
highest bidder, good deal Of it
bought in good faith by parties. to be
paid for in yearly instruments of ten
years. AMI one or two payments made,
when all further proceedings were
stopped by some hokus pokus, and we
are told that the State Auditor, has
the papers in bis possession aud that
they cannot be got at by the proper
officers Of our parish. This is all the
information we have on the subject,
which we suppose to be correct.