The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-14
Remarks OF Mr. sansom on Public Edn-
cation. - ri


Their action in this respect meets precisel,
the views which have long entertained OF
The subject OF LIMITATIONS Oh tile exercise d
this poaer / regret only chat tLey have
seen III 10 put public free schools in th,
enumeration OF uses. And yet, IN view o.
what Is deemed the public sentiment Of thu
age on this subject, should have beeIi snr
prised (ngreenbiy So, hOwever) if they hac
done ., ferwise And now, sir. If the Com,
mittte on The Bill Of Rights viii clearly de
line and enumeraie the public duties which
citzens owe to the State and The Conven
lion will adopt their Work, it will have per
formed the great duties devoived upon II
and ct fully the requirements Of the timr s.
The power TO tax lof the support OF pub
lie frte schools implies thepower to control
the children Of tile State for educational
purposes; for it is obvious that the State
cannot educate the children II 1t has not
power to compel tleir attendance at the
schools. Wlnle 1 have given this subject
much reflection, it has not been in my
power to give to my views upon it that
methodical Arrangement necessary to their
clear or full expression; and this regret,
tir, for no one is more fully convinced than
] am OF the Importance OF coherence of ideas
and perspicuity of style in the treatment of
The most ordinary topic; but when man
rises in body like this to discuss Dues
lion in tile light of its relation TO those great
principles which und6rlie the very structure
of government, the Importance of these
reoiiisites becomes transcendent. IF re-
garded this subject as involving only a. dues
fion Of oxpedlency would be less Thought
ful about nv mode Of treating IL: or if the
views which / entertain of the rights of re-
publican State goverhiaehts to control gen.
.eraI education we're Of 4 piece with those
commonly held by the writers and speak
ers Of the day. | could very well afford to
.p,etern,lt either deliberaliui in its 'investi-
CATION 81 method in IT'S discussiun. But.
While nrmly believe that NV opinioi,s are
in harmony with the miblic sentiment nj
,hi. rt,tc know thtv are M war with
the carriully prepared and eIaborately ,ex.
pressed opiiliIls of some Of the greatest
writer's aid 'sn, ak efs ofi the noe in 6nr own.
ccotuIIIi.t I. and hence / hone will be mar
'doncd II Idesired To place them before TIE
'Conyention With sufficient clear ness TO ayoid
unintentionai misconstrucIiop. AS for that
class Of men WHO make il a business will
fully to distort the opinions OF those who
do not follow III the beaten track. from
which they. in their Iittieness. dare not de-
part. I exptct from them nothing else than
wlliiul MISREPRESENTATION and derractiun.
/ am not ignorant of the fact, sir, that, am
humble citizen, Just from the walks of pri-
yste life. I subject myself to the charge of
acting with teinerity in attacking an idea
which is regarded as one of the most pre-
icious crown Jewels in the diade,n Of that
class of thinkers who are the self-constitu-
ted leaders of the civilization party of the
age and that, too, when / know them to be
backed by hoary precedents and high au7
thoriiies = even as high as the great Chan
cellor Kent But hedge1 in, as am, by
these embarrassing considerations, should
deem myself unworthy the position which
l occupy and recreant to the trust reposed
in me by the people whom have the honor,
in part, 70 represent on this floor if should
shrink in the treatment of this subject from
following the inger-pointing of my own
soul. ''''H - EaitdaAe
ntrinscally considered, this subject has
no importance, for if the question Of the
power of State government To exercise ex-
elusive control over the education of the
children and Youth of the State was pre-.
se,ted for the first time in this house to-day,
the State Constitution Ueifg silent uponit, |
/ do not hesitate To say that | believe there
could not be found a dozen rlem6efs of
ibis Convention who would affirm their be-
liri in the existence Of such power in the
-" j. d i ~
State. It's Importance grows ont OF It's re-
lailuns 10 the history, Doth civil and Judlclil
OF Tho States forming me American mon,
The power has time anu again been exercised
by The State legislatures, ana It's legitimaey
affirmed by the courts ana law writers oil the
country, and hence is Importance
i Wesre here s'r, as the delegates oil oil the
people OF lexas' having comnlttea Comm 10 our
custody their sovereign anu innerens powers,
charged with the au,y-the highest that
could be deyolved upon us1oi framing
State government adapted to their condltion
ami wants; with the power 20 invest the
different departments oi the new govern
mept with the exercise Oh suct oil these
sovereign powers as may oe deemed- best !;
TO limit the State IN the exercise OF such I
powers Is may DC pansel1uS - sie noei.les
oi the people, anu 70 lorolu s,le
exercise OF any power wllSu eueeul ~ &c !.
suDverslve y tne pul ~, "a
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remains y os seen .,. - sps
anu ~ ,a.i.'sa .a,ls ale eue 4uase
y lhe srsa. uuueI. ..,s,ss1S .a ,s;.n y ltaan
einens apy ~. i;,,',r,,, IA - =
Tory ss.i3 80 r.
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