New-York tribune., 1882-04-27
NATIONAL AID TO NATIONAL EDUCA1IoN

,.x cr,rp ,ssrssOR BRIGGS ARGUES ~ FAVOR OF
.T,y ON TEA AND COFFEE FOR THE AID OF
pr-nrIo ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THAT WOULD BE
DERIVED FROM SUCH A SYSTEM
To me Edttor OF The Trt6"nG
SIR: The common education of the children
md youth OF county is the most important matter
that can be brought before the people or their wise ard
careful consideration.
The only safety to our Republic is IN the genera
education Of all its children (who arc TO become s
rulers in the peoples colleges" the commonschooi
houses they DC free 10 ALL Of every color and
every creed every state and Territory OF our land
The people of many Of the States are at this tne ana
will be FOR some years TO come, unable to pay tho taxes
necessary 10 give generous support to their common
schools. They must have assistance, and il nnst come
from the parent, the General Government Now IN what
way this necessary aid be given without It's being
made burden upon the people II seems to
me that the udcous way 10 assist the States in The
education Of all the youth is 10 impose duty
apon and coffee imported into the United STATES
and distribute all tie money raised by this duty to he
several States aud Territories for the educaon OF youth
IN the common schools II viii not cost the Government
an extra dollar IN any collection district TO collect this
duty and it can be distributed by tire Government TO
The states and Territories, and this money apporuoned
70 the counties and and clues by tho States, by
the officials now employed III the distribution OF school
mOncys
Another matter Of importance ls fif0t Nn1y ol zen
cents poune on tea and three cents pound coffee
will not increase the price to the consumer What
amount Of money will these duties produce for the pur
pose OF annual distribution to the States and Territories
IN aid Of The support of schools Let us see.
There imported into the United States for the
year $780, 100 $50 pounds Of coffee. duty of three
cents pound on this S13,G55,Gsl 80; the impora-
ton Of tea in 1850 vas 95944, $50 pounds duty Of
ten cents pound on this is Ss5s4475; making total
Of duties Of sos 2io1e9 59 This is equal TO contribu
ton of fory-sx by each person IN the United
states a school fund for the education Of the
youth H. the land # would DC donation from the
Treasury Of the United States TO tho youth n the States
and Territories without cost! The duty paid il England
on tea IL 1879 vas S2c.sll1c5, and on coffee
81 042775. Tea pays a duty Of twelve cents pound ;
coffee three cents pound; and pound
Ch'cory ana PAID duties 1870 vi Sjj5,@3 in
England.
The Commissioner OF Education. General Eaton, IN lis
last report gives the cui Of school age in the United
States at 149G233G. The above duties If distributed
per capita to the youth would give each one 81 3d. orto
every school o. fity scholars tho sum OF 81 30 This
would give average Oi three months OF 81 h0Os IN
every district in the land The average weekly wages
paid teachers Of coumon schools n the towns ia the
state OF New Yor in $50 was ~. General Eaton gives
te salaries teachers lor the year 1879 Sol O'S3Zl
deduct trc duties to be raised on tea and coffee ana It
would relieve tho people OF the states anu
$50 SIS G2 OF taxes and not impair the ecenc1 Vi Vc
schools. IN ,c... , TT
The school age varies il the different States ana Ierl
tolr. In NeW-NOIk il ls from 10 u years IN ONO
froc ., 91 In Georgia s to Is; III Arkansas TO u :;
in Tavas to IA In Massachusetts from > 10 10 10
I,isana G TO 21 in Virginia to Il years 10 II inAe @
lhe III M riform In all the Satcs and Territories say
9,n 10 Is years. To take the Schoo age as Ed.e y
rom i'm his report and the amount thai eacn
% ouid receive lrOlu TIE duties Pad Oh Tea anu
cotlee would Oe ds iOlo"H' , ,-o