The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-04-28
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

contained communication, on this
more than important subject to the
people of Rapides, We deem it our
duty to follow it up, and ask that
people to ponder seriously on the sit
uation and make at once some move,
some move other than lip service Or
tongue gas, in this matter, which so
seriously affects the welfare and pro-
per rearing up of their children, the
white children of Rapides.
1t is patent to all, and admits of
no doubts, that the Radical leaders
here, ignorant and selfish whites and
equally ignorant and time serving
blacks, have since the surrender, or
new regime, had control, unlimited,
unchecked control of the public
schools, and their funds, and the en-
tire and sole regulating and rearing
of the children in their. educational
rights in the Parish Of Rapides, and
how, and the manner in which this
has been done, we are free to admit
is a mystery and damnable blot on
our parents and heads of families,
leaving us all a fearful responsibility
to answer for. We are not far from
the mark, for we can gain no official
data to 60 by, in guessing that not
less than thirty Thousand dollars
have been received here by the
School Board, and not thirty per cent
of that amount has been limited to
or expended in behalf of the tuition
of the children for whose benefits the
taxpayers have paid this money
This for us is a good beacon light to
be guided by in the reform future,
and one which we should at once take
by the forelock and handle with cou-
rage, fairness and promptness; in
other words take the matter in hand
and manage and guide ourselves the
schoolship. Thus far we have been
too idle and unconcerned spectators
to her laundering in the muddy wa
tiers of impure men, and have crimi-
nally neglected the sacred duties we
owe to our progeny and race, and
have long enough permitted the YAM
pires to rob our children Of their ed
vocational pittance, graciously extend
ed to them by the State. II has long
enough been squandered nominally
on negro children, but really in ne
gro pockets, and now or never is the
time to make bold move in the
right direction.
Let it be remembered that after
eight years of hard and continuous
Juggling, we have gained our rights
in the lower branch of the Legisla-
ture, and that we here right at home,
have regained the Sheriffalty, and
this has only been accomplished by
the right spirit and determination,
and one which emulates us in the new
work we are cutting out for our peo-
pie. Surely the same efforts must
master the same difficulties, and a
fair trial is all that is necessary to
crown once more our efforts with re-
newed victory. The same old Board,
with two good exceptions, have been
forced upon us, and their past con-
duct, violent and heathenish preju-
dices against us will be their guide as
in the past, and it is fixed fact, that
we are now worse off than ever, and
once more to be duped, cheated,
wronged and sighted, and the sooner
we settle down to that fact, the soon
sr we grasp back the stolen rights of
our children.
We must take the evil at it's roots
and purge the entire system, now re-
fastened on US, entirely out of office,
and have new men, better men, pro-
per men, competent, appointed in the
place of these mercenary drones, who
have so long been like Hungarian
leeches sucking our life blood, and
disgracing their positions, purely and
simply for their personal aggrandise-
ment and the behests of a corrupt
party. Make short work of it, and
make that short work in the proper
manner and just spirit; have pub
lie meeting, discuss the matter, ap-
point a committee, wait on this in
competent Board and demand their
immediate and prompt resignation,
and 60 to the fountain source, Mr..
Kellogg, and demaud of him that he
force his Superintendent, Heating, to
give US good men in their place
We must not dictate our favorites
for a new Board, but hand in a list of
fifty names, from which MIR. Heating