New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-17

lect five administrators to receive and dis
tribute the funds. and take charge OF the
parish Schools these administrators, in
their turn, to choose in each police ward,
whose duty it should be to select the teach
err, visit the schools, attend to the school
buildings, and take general care and over
sight Of them, under the direction of the
administrators. Into these schools not
above 100 children could be received gra-
tuitously. Whether the rule applied to
each school, or to each parish, the terms OF
the law do not olearly indicate.
These schools, though thus endowed oy
scholars received in them gratutously
were, Of course, mere charity ech0lars.
Not yet had the Legislature reached the
idea, now universal, that in order to make
their aid useful. all attending the STATE IN
stitution of learning must be placed on the
same footing; that lie, that all the schools
must be free.
son. located in the parish of St. James, was
;ncornorated. This institution was at q
subseauent period literally endowed by
the State, and very many of our citizens
we're educated Their Later l shall have
occasion to refer to this institution and Its
influence in advancing the cause of educa-
ton.
In 1888 the Secretary of State became,
under the law, superintendent Of all schools
in the State. He was required to make
report of the condition Of the schools and
the amounts expended, and suggest plans
for their imprOvement and be- ter organize
ton, All administrators of parish schools,
and all others engaged under State laws in
the interests of education, were required to
report to him.
During period of five years there seems
to have been but little advancement in
public education. But in 1888 several pri-
wit: The Poydras Academy in the parish OF
Pointe Coupee, the Caddo Academy, the
College of Baton Rouge, the FrankiingtOn
Academy in the parish of Washington, the
Pine Grove Academy in the parish of Csld-
we'll, and the Providence Academy in the
parish of Carroll. All of these institutions
we're literally aided by the State. In 1889
eeveral other academies were incorporated
and endowed literally; and in 1910 over
SIC. 900 were appropriated by the Legisla-
| ture to institutions of this class.
Up to this date, little had been done
toward the establishment OF public schools
for the education of the people at large.
True, the Legislature had appropriated
large sums to the city and parish schools.
| They were, however. all what are called
| techically, ''pay schools, and Those scholars
| not paying. were tNcIo VI ounce oAoo' A.
many parts Of the State there we're nc
schools whatever, because OF the utter IN
efficiency of the system, and it's unpopular
| ity; and it lie even said that the liberallty OF
the State did not always find the Legitimate
channels intended by the law giver, but
we're diverted in other directions.
The people OF the country parishes had
it is certain, becOme awakened to the i'm
portance Of educating their children al
home, and under home Influences; anC
institutions had sprung up there Of val
liable character; but they were not in
tended for the people of the State gen
orally, but only for the children OF more
wealthy class of citizens.
With the year 1871 commenced new eri
in our educational saystem; and there wer'
inaugurated, On q larger and more en-
lightened plan, modes OF education in y hicl
all the people could participate, and tn
benefits Of which could be common to all
The public school system of Massachusett
was introduced into Louisiana. II was fos
tered BY the State, and had already be
come dear to the people because OF 1t
thorough and effective character and hu
hanizing influences.
But the present article has become to-
extended. and must leave for future cor
sideration the modes in which this system
of education has been gradually diverted
from its true purposes, it's usefulness dlmlI
ished. and the great benefits it conferred
manner rendered nugatory; and. at tn
same time, point out, as far "a l am able
what deem to be the legislative actlo
| necessary to restore it to its former ethclenc
l and usefulness Or{ednian.