The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-09-02
colored Schools

The State Associations of Colored
Teachers met in Louisville last week
and after soliciting funds, in their
memorial to the Legislature, to estab.
lish colored normal schools TO be un-
der the control Of the State Board of
Education, they conclude as fol-
lows;
In conclusion, we point to the fact
that In this memorial VIC represent
the sentiment Of that class OF people
who, while they pay taxes on their
million dollars worth Of property,
are yet unable TO educate thsir eilbl-
dren without aid; who are law-abid-
ing and peaceable citizens who seek
not only 10 amelioraie the condition
of their own race bot also to pro-
mote the highest good of the entire
Commonwealth m their efforts to adj
vance thOsause Of popular education.
I'VE also invite your attention TO
the tact that comparatively few OF
the criminal classes come from the
ranks of either the patrons or pu-
pills of our public schools, which
practically and forcibly demonstrates
the truth that the welfare of the State
and safety of the republic largely de-
pend upon the intelligence of the
people.
So say we in regard 10 the matter.
The best way TO make good citizens
of the negroes is TO. educate them.
They are large factor in our State.
They are here and here to stay, aud
IL behooycs us to elevate and enlight-
en- them so that the coming genera
ton may be better prepared to per-
form their duties as citizens. The
illiteracy Of onr State is alarming.
or the 5l3,S0S children ofthe pupil
age, the Courier-Journal says one,
half are not attending school. And
yet those who are permitted TO grow
up in ignorance will possess equal
rights OF citizenship with our most
finished scholars. These remarks
apply not only to the colored popula-
ton, but 10 large per centage OF the
white. Right here let us say q word
IN regard to the Public School system.
Every year It is, from some cause,
making downward steps. We do
not profess to DO thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with its management but some
thing must be wrong or 1t would not
become less and less remurneative TO
the teachers. A few years ago the
per capita WAS over 800, now it has
gradually dwindled down TO little
moro than half that amount. This
amount will hardly enable teachers
to exc out meager existence. The
results great many OF the teachers
employed are wholly incompetent to
teach, aud tho public schools are not
by one half Of those who
are entitled to their benefits. It's
urged that the number of children Is
Increasing, and the value Of property
Is decreasing as an explanation for the
depreciation in tho pro rata. Be this
as it may, something should DO done
10 remedy this trouble. II q thing is
worth doing at all it, is worth doing |
well. Sufficient provision should |
be made to keep up schools worthy |
Of patronage, II they arc TO be taught |
at all.
The view in tho extract above 10
the correct one. Education will do
more to rid the land OF crime than all
the rigorous prohibitory laws that
can be enacted. A very large pro-
portion of the criminals convicted are
negroes, and this may in great mea-
sure be attributed to their illiteracy.
Then let some measures be taken to
imprsye the public schools, both for
the Whites and blacks,s and Just so
much as the States educational advan.
tnges are enhanced, just SO much will
her best interests be advanced.