Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-01-07
be had, as such would not likely be pro-
dUctive of any good.
THE pRrsENr I.EcsIsLArrRE

is undoubtedly the bsst Tennessee has
had since the war. The members, in
point of intelligence and ability, far eX-
eel any body of men that Tennessee has
! assembled within her Legislative halls
for a long time. There are men in this
, legislature that would play no mean
! part and take 10 back seat In the con.
gress or senate Of the United States.
: This reminds noe Of the fact that there
i. is popular gentleman and an excellent
lawyer now attending the supreme court,
who seriously says that he would not ac-
cept the senatorship if the legislature
wera to elect him. This was doubted by
few OF his friends. but the gentleman
says they will have to take his word for
it, as there will be no other way Of prov
ing It. And this gentleman ie Colonel
Lamb, Of Fayetteville. he is the only
gentleman of prominence that l have
yet met who would under no circup-
stances wear the senatorial toga.
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL DO.
1t is evident that several bills looking
to reform aud retrenchment will soon
be introduced. 1t is believed that streu-
uous Efforts will be made to curtail the
expenses incident to litigation, and that
a strong feeling exists among the men,
bers TO reduce the fees of clerks of courts.
The school laws will be looked after,
and something will be done toward i'm
migration. Several Investigations are
said to be on the tdpis and / hear that
Colonel Burch will invite an investiga-
ton into the comptroller matter, as he
is able to show mis- innocence and refute
the charges made by enemies.
ANNUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL REPORT.
The annual report Of Colonel John NJ.
Fleming, State superintendent OF public
| Instruction, as exhibited in Governor
Browns message, gives many interest
| INK facts. The report covers the schOO
operations from the passage of the
school law to the close of the scholastic
year, August 81, 1874. 1t is necessarily
| vOluminOus, and cannot be distracted
| for this report. l. shows, however, the
following Interesting facts, and despite
the deleteriOus effect of the civil rights
bill agitation, the friends of popular edu-
cation in Tennessee, have cause of con
graduation at the advancement of edu
catiopal interests; though it must be q
source Of regret, that there are so many
in this state without the benefit of the
system. The scholastic population of
the State, between six and eighteen
years, is 420 3S4 During the year there
were enrolled in the public schools, 25S, |
577 pupils The number of schools in
operation is $3.50, Of which 4227 are
white, and 923 colored. The number of
teachers licensed during the year was
1854, o. which 5679 were white, and 9S5
colnred; and 5557 teachers employed, |
1880 being white, d 92i being coloTed !
persons. The total school revenue in |
cludiDg county AMI State, was $685. |
459 l03; total school expenses 1877, |
376 Al; average attendance Of pupils |
l6l 069; average length of school term |
3:S5 months. Average cost per |
pupil So cents per month; cost of |
county superinten. cuts S37, ,373 64 |
Col mel Fleming regards the law essen
TALLY correct rs il now stands, and no
change is offered as to its material CHAR
acter, but only in some Of its details. |
He faIOrs the increased power of super
inten dents, SD as to give this officer su
pervision OF all the public schoo in the
State, in order to perfect the system and |
facilitate the means of popular education.
The report Of the superintendent |
shows that the entire expenses of the
county superint9ndents of schools have
been less than the per cent. allowed the |
tax. collectors for Collecting the school
funds. This will be news to many, yet
it is true, for the tax. collectors are al
lowed six per cent. While there has
been a general cry against the county
expenses and superintendents, it is q
severe rebuke to the enemies Of free
schools to learn that these expenses are
actually less than the fees of the taX-col-
lectors. So far as | can learn, the ma
jority of the members Of the legislature
favor the maintenance of the public
schools, though many of them have
crude ideas upon the subject and are not
q little prejudced against county
superintendents. However, the fact
above shown may operate to
change their view. It is not
Likely that any measure will be in
troduced or any policy developed until
after the meeting of the State teachers
association in this city on the twentieth
instant. No definite action will be taken
u til that time, for while the teachers
association is not legal but a voluntary
association, irs members are the warm
friends of the public schools. Hence it
is but natural that the legislature should
defer 10 the wishes and at least consider
the views OF an enlightened body con-
cerning the subject which they have at
heart and would try to advance. 1t is
safe to say that no act will be passed i'm
pairing the common school system or In
any manner curtailing its operations.
While true that some members may
bring objections to the school law, it
seems to be that the wiser heads of the
legislature will oppose any reaction that
may be attempted against the System.
Even among the opponents Of the puO-
lie schools belief exists that as meas
ure of public policy, it would be unwise
10 attempt an abolition of the system. =
an effort will he made TO abol-
ish both the State and county supeIin- 7
tendents, because Of an opinion based
on the false idea that these officers ab- ,
sorb all of the school funds. This :
endeavOr will be promptly met and {
quickly defeated by The friends of popU- {
lar education. OF course the question ,
will arouse a deep interest and possibly
some excitement may ensue, but the in 9
telligent members recognize the fact
that the public school system must be ,,
maintained, more especially now, for =
immigI alton can not be induced success
fully without the benefit Of schools be- :
ing assured.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. e
DIR. Sears, general agent of the Pea ;
body school fund, renews his proposition !
to donate $1,000 of the fund to the ;
of State normal school, I
provided the same amount be appropri-
ated by the legislature. This subject has
already aroused attention In Middle and
East Tennessee and it is indicated that
Murfreesboro, Fayetteville,
Pula-ka, Clarksvilie, Trenton and
n ashville will make formal offers of
suitable buildings and adequate grounds.
The establishment Of the Dormal school
3 recommended by Superintendent