The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-17

the same instrument. 1t results in fixing
it as a duty upon the government Of the
state, and not as charity, 10 educate the
rising generation.
The probable fact is easily demonstrat-
ed that when three millions more OF
bonds are thus purchased by their sale,
settlers upon those lands, and upon the
railroad lands surveyed in connection
with them, will have introduced into the
state children of the scholastic age
enough TO require the interest on this in
crease of the fund on their education.
And by the increase in the scholastic
population in other parts Of the state,
the proportion of the fund, already ac-
cumulated to the scholastic population,
except those thus introduced, will con-
| tinually diminish from year to year and
therefore an increase of taxation would
be required, If the const tuition permitted
il, TO keep up the schools to an average
of four months in the year. But by q
| more rapid sale of the lands, as has been
re commended, the fund may be increas-
ed before the il creas-d sch lastic popu-
lation is introduced into the state by i'm
| mig alton. The lands sold being taxed
/ before hey are settled, the general reve-
nue. will be increased. By this means
the schools will be supporter by the in
terest of the fund, with amuch less ap-
| preparation of the revenue than at the
present time, viii b is one-fourth of the
state taxes and one dollar poll tax. For
the present year the board of education
set apart 500, 600 to the free common
scho lis. This included an amount over
$500, $50 that had accumulated in the
! treasury from the collection of the previ-
Gus years taxes. 1t is, theref re, esti-
mated by the Comptroller that the
amount to be set apart for the next year
will be about 80, 900 less.
A normal school might most properly
be regarded as public school in connec-
ton with and auxiliary to free common
schools. The greatest want in our COM
mon schools is supply of competent
teachers, who would teach upon the most
J improved modern plan Of teaching.
Since the meeting of the Legislature
there has assembled in Austin a conven-
ton of teachers, from different parts of
the state, composed of gentlemen of ex-
perience and distinguished ability in
their profession, who have presented a
memorial, to be presented through me to
the Legislature, containing their views
upon the manner in which our free COM
mon schools may be improved Their
memorial, attached to this message, is re-
spectfully submitted for your favorable
consideration.
The establishment of normal school
was also urged by the Governor, and
of it he said: ''The greatest want in
our common schools is a supply of
competent teachers who would teach
upon the most improved modern plan
of teaching"
So far the record of Governor Rob-
erts on the subject of public free
schools is anything else but antagonis-
tic to them. He is seen, In the first in
stance, urging proper representation of
every interest in the Legislature. He es-
pecial!y asked that school teachers be
sent to the legislature. and about the
same time, as will be shown, he invit-
ed a convention Of teachers at Austin
in 1879 to consider and suggest plans
for making the systt m more efficient.