New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-02
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL QUESTION.

DEFENCE OF SECRETARY snERMAN's VIEWS.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR A portion of the recent speech OF Sec
rotary Sherman before his neighbOrS and friends In
Ohio has been the subject Of adverse criticism not only
from those who are bound to disagree with anything
the Secretary may say for political reasons but also on
part OF those who are evidently influenced by the
sophisca argument that National legislation in aid OF
State school systems Is unwarranted and unneceS-
sary step In the direction Of interference In State
affairs.
Amoments inquiry to facts will not only dispel
illusions prevailing to the legality and wisdom OF
the action suggested By Secretary Sherman, hut will
also to indicate that III has taken more pains to
famarize himself with matters germane to his sgSes-
ton than have most OF his critics.
In the first place. the proposal that tho National Lcgs
shall assist making provision for popular edu
cation in the several States Is by new thing
All wel-nfOrmed persons are thar By National
enactments portions Of the public domain have been
from time TO time set aside for the use Of the several
States, the proceeds to be applied to educational
purposes. Aud this action Of the Government.
90 far from having been regarded as an i'm
proper interference in State affairs, has seemingly
met with approval universal as have been
the resultant bel eHts.
In the second place. Secretary Sherman, to his credit
has evidently kept himself well informed as 10 both the
needs OF popular education and the demands OF its
friends throughout the country. He obviously remen-
DeTS WHAT many nave 1ofROtlt INIT III 10
a conference held in Washington, composed Of the
lcaC; OF State Educational Departments in which the
twenty-five mos, important States OF the UniJn were
represented; and this body. in unanimous terms.
and upon grOun 3 supported by The most convincing
arguments petoned Congress 10 establish National
Educational Fund" derived from the sale OF public
lands), for distribution among me states on the
basis OF illitrracy. II need hardly &c said THAT the
practical result Of This fostering care would he to carry
,uir,c,,te and practiral and 10 the States which are
N iced a important
raising mp 4 new generation 0i intelligent citlz"ns-
namely, the States which were IMPOVERISHED ana GRIP
pied by the lite II remains TO be sad that the
great majority Of those who composed the conference
called together by United States Commissioner Eaton
were from States when would derive the least benefit
from they asked the Government to take
and hat their motives could be attributed only 10 scntl-
mcnts Of sound policy and patriotism. A..
bill, going even beyond the expressed desires OF the
the senate by Mr. Hoar, but was for some reason not
acted upon. Subsequently one OF TIE most encouraging
and unpOrrnt MEETINGS since the wur, southern Edu-
ciionI Convention. was held lin Acknowledgements ior INC
gates; thG imperative needs OF the Southern states
and n committee Of sixteen OF the most eminent
ct z.ns Of the States represented was appointed To
memoir tI1c Congress Accompanying the mtm'Ildl OF
ihs committee was m imprOmpu petition indOrriug it's
purpose signed by 5000 citizens Of the one state OF
Georgia. II wac shown that n"nry onc-haf the total
population the states referred 10 practically
without material resources; and II was forcbly urged
these states vOcr the extension of the dement's 81 eu-
cation to III" masses Is matter wh,Gh CONCERNS n ne
facts II must he admitted thai Secretary Sherman makes
no mistake IN treating as question OF National Import
ance the ways and for The proper education 81 the
Ave mil,Ods Of comparatively uneducated people at the
South aud The million mUIC OF the same class nj the
North Those who look with alarm upon the growth OF
sectional feeling pursue no wiser or better course
man Ia lend thrir aid Ia the auppnrt OF Dixie
tat introduced by senator lOHr generously urged by
the LEADING educators OF the North, pleaded for by The
wIscst and hest OF The SOUTH and Endorsed not ouy
by The Secretary the Treasury, but by mutltudes or
pgtrlotlc men desire to new era OF good Will
established between all OF the States. ana who look
mon ruratio as Of the most powerful factors IN the
sowing OF the political and social Problems which ye1
inc Ngil,n IIESRY RANDALL WAITE.
Washington. y. G., April "a. 1850.