Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-31

there still exists demand for this instruc
ton, it is being met by the establishment
of private schools and colleges, which OF
course are entirely out OF the reach OF the
poor. The general effect OF the constitu-
tional provision regarding education has
therefore been to discriminate between the
poor and the rich, to deprive the former of
the advantages OF the higher education,
and to set apart the State University as an
institution reserved for the use and benefit
of those alone who are well-to-do.
The great territorial extent of California
causes the constitutional provisions on this
head TO produce fsr worse results than
they would in a smaller State. We have
here an area six times that Of Ohio. and
yet We have but one University and three
or four High Schools. Distances are so
great that those who do not live in or near
the few towns are debarred from the use
of the High Schools and the University
unless they are well off financially. So
much have these difficulties been felt that
it has been found necessary to found
Normal School at Los Angeles, and Red.
ding has long been before the Legislature
demanding a similar institution. And
there can be no doubt that Redding has
precisely the same right to Normal
School that Los Angeles has, if that be
the only method of remedying in some
measure the defects of the Constitution.
Bnt we are of opinion that there is better
way, and one which will commend itself to
all who have the cause of education at
heart. What the people need is system
of High or District Schools, at which pre-
paratory instruction for the University
shall be given. In no other way can the
| latter be restored to the position in the
State educational system which it was in
tended to occupy, and in no other way can
equality in educational advantages be Sc.
cured to the people.
1t is possible that under the new Consti-
tuition it would not be practicable to found
such system OF High Schools, but if the
people are satisfied that the Constitution is
: in this respect barrier to progress and
means of positive injury to them, it is their
| duty to demand that it be amended. On
the other hand, it may be practicable to
establish such a system of High Schools
without coming into collision with the
| Constitution. That is question for after
consideration, our present purpose being
simply to direct attention TO the difficulties
of the educational situation, and TO point
out the need of remedy. AS the case
stands the majority OF the people cannot
avail themselves of the University, and
therefore, so far as they are concerned, it
might as well not exist. A broad chasm
has been created in the educational scheme
by cutting off the High Schools, and this
chasm can only be bridged by those who
have money enough to pay for private tu-
ition. Ia the many private schools now
! springing up it costs from 5000 to 81, 900
year for board and instruction, and it is
scarcely necessary to say that the majority
OF parents cannot pay any such rates. But
those who cannot pay have no recourse.
Their children must be confined to the
Grammar School course, and thus this
large class, constituting more than three
fourths of the community, finds itself
handicapped beyond remedy by the new
| Constitution.
Iii this sibuation is not amended it is
very certain that the people will before
long begin to make war upon the Uniyersi--
ty, and it will not be possible to defend
that institution. Nothing can be clearer
than that it's advantages ought. to be at the
disposal of the whole people; except
the fact that they are not in that con-
dition to-day. We muat then choose one
of two courses. We must restore the con-
nection between the public schools and the
State University, or we must abandon the
latter A Peoples University from which
the People are excluded, is an anomaly
which will not long be tolerated. 1t would,
however, be going backward to destroy
such an institution, and therefore the only
wise course is TO free it from restraints, and
make it accessible to all. To do that it is
absolutely necessary that higher schools
OF preparatory kind should be established
in several parts of the State. These
schools should be SO selected that no part
of the State would be left without the op.
! pof ttunities offered by them. The State
could be- districted for this purpose. and
the new institutions might be called Dis
trict Schools. There should be one at Red.
ding, one at Yreka, one at Los Angeles or
San Diego, one at Nevada City or Grass
Valley, one at Nisalia, one at San ose, and
so on, wherever they could be most con.
veniently placed.
We propose that the Republican party
shall make this restoration of the educa.
tional system an issue in its platform.
The scheme is one which is demanded in
plan by which the University can be made
State institution. 1t is not that at pres
emit, and it cannot be while the majority of
the people are prevented from carrying
their children any higher than the Gram
mar Schools. Every citizen has the right
to enjoy the fullest educational privileges
and benefits provided under the laws of
the State. Every citizen has the right to
insist that the University shall be open to
his children, whether he be poor or rich.
The Constitution has inflicted a serious
injury upon the poorer classes through
provision the mischievous effect of which
this journal long ago pointed out. If that
injury cannot be remedied without amend
ing the organic law, then let Constitu.
tional amendment be proposed. If it can
be done otherwise, 30 much the better.
But it requires to be done one way or the
other, and we invite the Republican press
to consider the question, and to give to it
the support of its advice and Endorsement.
MERCHANT SPEAKS.
Mr.. Max Pracht, San Francisco mer-
chant, writes to the Examiner letter fully
indorsing the statements Of Mr.. Stubs
regarding the contract system, and defend
ing the Central Pacific Railroad Company
| auainat the rectl ess and dishonest charcea