Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-17
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE
CITY SCHOOLS.

a gOOu zeal HAS Oe0h al" VI ""N
opposition to public schools in
Memphis. 1t is safe to assert that
there is no such thing. The idea
is mythical. We have intelligent,
able and thoughtful men here, as
there are elsewhere, who do not
believe the State can conduct the
schools on the right plan, and
there are others just as wise who
believe the State is not called upon
to provide for the education of all
its citizens. Such people are few
in numbers though strong in intel
lect and honest in their convictions.
1t is not proper to class persons
entertaining such views as opposed
to the public schools. They do
not so regard the institution as to
give it any positive opposition. On
the contrary, they give a cheerful
adherence to the laws on the sub
ject on the principle that it "will
do no harm if it does no good"
That this is the full extent of OPP
position to the public schools in
Tennessee is clearly proven by their
history. More than thirty years
ago these schools were established
by provisions Of law which are as
liberal and wise as the statutes of
any other State in the Union, on
the same subject. A plan to raise
and keep up a large fund to sustain
the system was enacted in these
laws, and under that plan ample
funds were soon provided. Two
years before the war this fund
amounted to one and a half mil
lions. Our schools and academic
and colleges in all parts of the Stat;
were prosperous and lourishing
when the war began. We then haC
over six hundred thousand dollars
of a school fund in the treasury.
This fund was faithfully kept du
ring the continuance of the wa
and returned to the treasury a
soon as the war closed. AS sool
thereafter as our people were al
lowed to take control of their owl
affairs, the school laws Of forme
years we're re. enacted and reviyeI
in full force. City school system
were inaugurated for the large
cities il the State, and general pre-
visions were made for the gen
eral maintenance and supper
of a most excellent school syl
tenn throughout the State. TIL.
all goes to supprt and prove tn
assertion that there is no such
thing as active or organized opp,
sition to public schools in the Stat
The great mass Of our people a
now, and have been for the pa
generation, favorable to the su,
port Of a proper system Of publ
instruction. A fair, honest vo
on the question would demonstra
that no other State in the Union
more ready and willing to suppo
this great engine Of ciyilizatio
generously and literally, than
are. Such support, however, dc
not justify the conclusion tn
these must and will be supportt
however extrayagantly and bat
they may be managed. It's to
management of the city schools
Memphis that there is a real, 81
stantial, determined OPPOSITE
This must not be mistaken for h
tility to the system. 1t is the fly
purpose Of many Of our best peol
as it is the earnest wish Of a V,
large majority that the city scho
shall be we'll and prudently a
carefully managed; that the fun
shall be used with proper econoi
and to the best purpose; and Il
the true interest and purposes
our school laws shall be IN
faithfully carried out than Il
have been within the ,
three or four years. This
the extent of all the opposit
that can be found to any portion
the schools. The real and 0
enemy the institution has in I
ity who can, under any circu
stances, harm it, is the man '
gives his countenance to the g
Encouragement of the schools
the wasteful use of the funds.
is to be hoped that the counsel
such men, however honest t
- AI... ..pr.oono mill