Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-04
ALEXANDRIA. VIRGINIA.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1876.
lie PUBLIC LANDS AND THE PUBLIcScHooLs.


The PUBLIC LANDS AND THE PUBLICSCHooLs.
When Congress fixed upon the Senate the
emancipation of the negro race, and still more
when our Constitution was changed lu obedi-
ence to the mandate of Federal power, and
that race was admitted, without restriction, to
the enjoyment of the elective franchise, its ed
though groaring under the weight of debt
which almost brushes her, at once provided for
it, and to-day 1854 schools within her borders
are attended by 81 GAL colored children, and OF
the 81 ,02l 1896 which our school system cost
US last year, at least fourth was for the educa-
ton Of those children. When the Uuion was
poor, and struggling with load OF debt, Nir.
piuia gave her untold millions of fertile acres
towards its liquidation, with the sole provision
that when the Revolutionary deb, should have
been extinguished, the proceeds of their sale
should be applied ''tor the common Use and
benefit of all the States" and now that the
territory thus ceded has become au empire
and thousands OF its acres have been used to
educate the children born upon it, what would
bc more reasonable than to ask that small
portion be returned to the giver in the day
of her need, and that her children, white and
black, be, also, aided in the path of knowledge.
While she seeks no more than that, like her
sister States, she may have the common bene
fit of her royal gift, she deems it not too much
to ask, that 10 the distribution, the necessities
Of each be measured by the number of her illit-
crates, may be considered.
Fortunately for the interests of education,
Speaker Kerr, in constituting the committees
of the House of Representatives, put the right
man into the right place, when be made Gill
bert c. Walker chairman of the committee 90
that subject Coming to Virginia wheu her
people haG been so pIundered and oppressed
by the oFscouring of Northern society that
they had right to mistrust all who came from
that section, though he'speedily acquired the
esteem and confidence of those 10 whose midst
he cast his lot, it was with reluctance, and but
as a choice of evils, that the whole people ac-
cepted him as their standard bearer 10 the great
struggle against the black host which Wells was
leading. They were victorious, aud soon they
found that their fears had been groundless.
Every department Of the government received
the immediate personal attention of its new
head, but to none did be give more earnest
thought, or more active endeavor, than to that
of public instruction. Cordially seconding the
plans of the wise and energetic man who had
been placed at the head of the school system,
he gave, througho his entire term, every en-
enlargement to the opening of schools, and it
is largely due tt his CO operation that we now
have four thousand one hundred and eighty
five public schools, and that one hundred and
three thousand nine hundred and twenty
seven children are attending them.
In the new sphere to which the people of
the Richmond District have wisely called him,
he has not forgotten the cause IN which he
iabored as Governor, and Speaker kerr's ap-
pointment has given him au opportunity of do
ing that cause a signal service. Already be
has availed himself of that opportunity, and
observing that the Ordinance of l7S7 eoDtem
plates aid to education, FROM the proceeds OF
the salcsof The public lands, be purposes the res
cue of the entire National domain from railroad
rings and grasping spectators, and its devo-
ton forever to the diffusion Of knowledge among
the people He is now studying the matter
with that care which has marked tho prepara-
ton of all his plans, and we doubt not that
the report he will make on it will both add to
his reputation as a statesman, and shed food
of light upon many points where light is
needed