San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-05-11

of all educational systems TO this brief
category: First, every parent may DO
left to provide for his children such
instruction ms he can without the gov
eminent concerning itself herewith.
Second, the government may under
take TO assist the INDECENT alone, leaving
the rest of the community to shift for
themselves. Third, the government
may give partial aid to all, leaving
each some additional expenses, much
or little, to bear in the shape OF tuition
fee or otherwise. Fourth, the govern
ment may provide, at the common ex-
pense, for the complete elementary in
struction of all classes, just as it pro-
vides for the protection of all. All OF
these systems have been tried practic-
allyn the United States and in Europe,
and with the exception Of the last have
been generally discarded. The COM :,
plete system prevails in the great ma 4
jority of our States. 1t has reduced
the proportion Of illiteracy in very
remarkable degree. To cite but one
comparison: BY the census Of 1870 the
total population of Texas, between the
ages Of six and eighteen, was 324 ,1S1.
OF these 107, 593 we're unable to read
or write. For 1878 the school popula-
ton of Illinois, between 8 and 81, was
returned as 1,002,42l, and only 4562
between the ages Of twelve and twenty
one we're unable to write. Making the
necessary allowances Texas shows an
illiteracy of 80 per cent, and Illinois,
by doubling the ratio on account of
the difference between the ages of
twelve and six, would scarcely be above
l per cent. In Texas the partial and
incomplete system was at work ; in Hi
nois the full and complete. This one
comparative point, taken at random,
suggests the bearing upon the question
of the results of comparison OF the
criminal statistics. We have cause to
know that the governor of the State is
pronounced advocate of the univer-
sity and of normal schools. He also
claims to be q friend of the public
school system, yet when pressed to re-
commend such necessary reforms as the
superintendency system, local texation,
the erection of school-houses, and the
increased pay of teachers, his excellen-
cy has so far utterly refused to do so.
BY their fruits We shall know. them.
This professed friendship for popular
education must be received as an advo-
cacy of the partial and compromise
portion, as it involves blankly the re-
pudiation of what is now recognized
as the public school system OF the
United States. Under these circum-
stances, the appeal is to the people.
As water can not rise above it's source,
no system can exist on a higher plane
than that desired by the people them
selves. But it is we'll understood by
this association that the people are be-
ing graded up to higher plane through
the influence of education, commercial
expansion and the influence of the
press, and, therefore, your committee
would earnestly recommend common
and energetic effort on the part OF
journalists throughout the State to in
huence popular sentiment in such q
manner as to induce the abandonment
of ideas and prejudices more nearly
allied to the spirit of 1850 than of 1882.
Believing that it is in the power OF the
press to mould, to great degree, popu-
lar opinion for the peoples good, and
that legislation will be shaped accord
ing to the peoples wishes, your COM
mittee would suggest the propriety and
duty of the State press to assume a
bold and progressive attitute on the
question of public education, and APP
ply at once and directly the persuasives
of progress to the seat of vitality. In
pursuance of this line of polity we
would conclude this report by respect
fully recommending the adoption OF
the following resolutions by the asso-
citation
Whereas, we regard the cause of
education as one of vital Importance,
and the public school system is the
main foundation OF education in the
State; and,
Whereas, we believe the present sys-
TEN Of public schools TO be inadequate
to meet the wants of the people, and
not consistent with tue true interests
of the commonwealth therefore, be it
Resolved, that We hold it to be the
, interest and duty of the press to use
ever legitimate effort TO secure such
changes and reforms III the public
school system as shall conform it as
, much as possible to the most approved
| system in successful operation in the
/ country, by which TIE condition OF the
t teachers may be practically and sever
/ ally improved, the methods OF tuition
, advanced and extended, the funds
/ of the school administered with cor
, responding returns, and the dignity,
reputation and prosperity Of the State
5 be advanced. All OF which is respect
fully submitted.
t THos. ]. GIRARDEAU, Chairman;
1 w. L. WALLER,
GEo. II. SWEET,
2 j. W. BURsoN.