Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-01
HELENA, ARK.
Fiy.SeasOn ApprOaching-MOney Amaz-
ingIy Scarce-Farmers PrOfiting
by the Hard Times Expert
ence Society News
Public Schools, Etc.

Occasional Correspondence of the Appeal
HELENA, May 25.-Helena is at present
entering the dullest season OF the year, and
prospects are certainly very encouraging for
a repetition of the depression OF the past year.
Money is commodity wonderfully ana
amazingly scarce; what little can be accumu-
lated is strictly appropriated to the CONNER
cial interests of the individual possessing 1t.
We are impressed with the idea that afvalu-
able lesson has been taught the farming COM
munity by the experience, financially, OF the
past three years, namely: That the produc-
ton of cotton to the exclusion OF almost every
necessary and indispensable article which
could he cultivated advantageously is poor
investment, requiring an amount OF labor far
in excess OF the benefits pecunlarlly derived:
They have changed the basis already, and
have taken seriously into consideration the
raising of stock and planting wheat, thereby
producing for home consumption the two
principal ar .icles-bread and meat. This di-
preston is the one want long hoped
for, and upon which the prosperous
future of the planters largely depended
This brings about decided revolution In the
furnishing or supplying business, winch mas
formed the basis for extensive and angerous
commercial operations, as the merchant must
supply in order to secure trade. True, there
is an enormous accumulation OF debts, both
by merchant and planter, and 1t Is dlfhcult
matter to decide which is the greater loser IN
the end The planter falls behind the ex-
pectation of his merchant, consequently IN
voIvino both more or less. But one thing is
certain, the past course always leaves the
| farmer almost irretrievably in debt, requiring
wears of patient toll to discharge the obllga-
| lions assumed through a mlsdlrected chan
mel. The change indicated Will be very Denc-
fetal to the southern farmer, and one which
must be recognized sooner or Iater as Tue re-
| sort to retrieve past losses. Socially, Helena
| is, as ever, lively and gay. The young. peo-
pie do not allow the cares and perplexltles OF
| life to deprive them of pleasure, and enter
with light hearts into the many charms at
forded by society. Our little city Is never at
| loss for pleasure and amusement for those
who seek it in the proper manner. VI the
MANY things we can boast of, nothing occupies
more exalted position In the public mind
| than our public schools. The attention d.
rected toward public instruction in this coun-
| ty is certainly of a most commendable char
| acter. The present week was that for the
! annual examination, and glance at these IN
stitutions of public learning will not come
amiss. Your correspondent accepted an in
vitation to visit the two schools, white and
| colored, during their examination. In the
white schools there are two hundred
and fifty scholars, with Prof. Savage as
principal, aided by most competent corps OF
teachers. This school is graded as follows
| High school, intermediate, first and second
primary departments. What a pleasure to
parents. teachers and board of directors, and
the SUPERINTENDENT of public instruction the
examination afforded. How gratifying the
progress made, rejecting credit upon all con
nected The graduating class of five was ad-
dressed by Hon. John E. Bennett, president
of the board, in an appropriate and exceed
ingly eloquent manner, paying the young
graduates several well-deserved compliments.
Of the colored school much can be said.
The average daily attendance is two hundred
and 6fty-fve scholars. The principal, Mr.
Geo. H. w. Stewart, colored, is scholar OF
ability, and his discipline is perfect The
scholars stood an admirable examination,
very creditable to the principal and his as
slstants. This school is the largest colored
one in the State, and the rapid progress made
during the year proved that the young minds
of the colored children are capable of receiv-
ing an education well fitted to raise them to
higher standard of morality and usefulness.
This school was addressed by Rev. w. ].
Vineyard, superintendent of public instruc.
ton of Phillips county. The present board
of directors has accomplished a vast amount
of work, and advanced the school system to
higher degree of perfection than ever at.
tanned before, and the people feel proud Of
the gentlemen who, without pay, have ex'
pended time and energy in the duties as
signed them. Our public schools are, In
| every sense of the word, in the proper hands
and bid fair to continue in the good work.