Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1882-01-25
National Aid for Psb,ic Schsess.

4 bill 10 now pending IN Congress ~h'eh
is fraught with great interest to the en-
tire country, aud especially to the south
This bill proposes to divide an approPria-
ton of fifteen million among the States
aud Territories, upon the basis OF the pro
portion borne by the number Of iIliterate |
p.rson. in each State 10 the total popula- /
ton ~ the United States. The only Oh |
lection which could possibly be raised to
the bill -, that it might involve some peru
to the sovereignty of the indi> ldnal states
but even this Objection is cfectnally al
fenced by an express provision of the bill
Itself The bill contains the following:
"Thc design of this act not being to estah-
/ li.h An independent system of schools, but
| rather to aid for the time being IN Tia" de-
yclopcmrnt aud maintenance "t the
school system established hy local rower'
and which must eventually be wholly
maintained by the states and Territories
wherein they exist. IT is hereby provided
that no part of the money appropriated
under this act shall be- paid out III any
State or Territory which shall not, dnrng
the first five years Of the operation OF TINS
act, annually cxpend for the maintenance
Of common schools, fee to all, at least one
third of the sun which shall br allotted
10 y under the provisions hereof, aud dur
ing the second five years Of It's operation
sum at least equal to the whole shan he
entitled to receive under this act. II VIII
bc seen from the above that the bili does
not propose to, ~ any way, snppInut the
system Of public education adopted by any
Of the states but very wisely provides, as
a nIcrrGuisitc to receiving this aid from
the National Government, that the States
Themselves shall make liberal provisions
fol the cause of education. ], helps none
who do not make an effort to help them.
selves. There certainly can b" 10 good
reason why the States should not avail
themselves OF the generous terms offered
IN this bill. II Is a m Assure of special IA
trrr-t to Louisiana, aud under the plan
adopted in the bill for the distribution ct
the fund, she will receive u large amount.
For while the white population at lon'-i-
ana will compare tavoIably III point OF M
trlurcucr with the citizens of any ut the
states, her great volume oi rolorrd popula.
ton svrlls the statistics of hcr illt"iary
to AN allrmingly high hcurc. The state ha'
provided ~ literally IL her resources
would prrni; for th" cans" of public rlu
y cation. Int has not been able to meet IN,
urccssitIr~ of the cas-; nor i there any
! prospect Of the states being able in the
, neat future to make such provisions ~ vii
ai,or,! adequate educational advantages t.
her people. Bat artch hy thr genera
government there - No reason why ON
u system of public education should not be
come all that the necessities OF our popu
!. latiun require
G The National Government freed th
negro, placed the ballot IN Ia, hands, au'
give him all the privileges and lmmutlr
OF his former master. For this We have u
complain: to make, lint 1t Is only Just tina
AFTER lIttlllE wv I'H'' anu il'N''- ''H
d citizen of tue Republic that the pow
Il that constituted the negro i free citilc
should make some provision t" qua'ih
HIM for the high office which hats bee
: placed in his hands Universal suliraG
and universal education must 20 hand I
y haud Education is the crmcut that hold
free governments together. Ignorance
,r the greatest obstacle that Republics has
n to overcome. II has proven the dratl
=. blow to all former attempts at fr"" govern
mrut aud Is now the most dangerous an
threatening element to the confirm,
~ existence of orr own free government.
W We are hopeful that the hill will hrcon
' law. This State has nothing to ins, ~
much to gain by It's passage. 1t twill at'ol
the State timely aud much needed I~~i>
he cncc ia the dficnlt work vt educating
.1 class ut her citizens now sunk IN lguorlu,
r aud intellectual darkness. S-'nator Iill
he deserves the gratitude of the entire CON
try for the patriotic step hc has taken
the introduction of this hlll, aud II he ca
!" secure its adoption hr viii I've remember,
ny ~ true bcnr(actor when political dem
u" gngucs have been forgotten.
Give Us His Name.