Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-08-25

Nsslenal Education. g 'hAd q
There can be no doubt that something
must be done. and that speedily, to check
the increasing illiteracy Of some parts
of this country. particularly In the
South. In Georgia less than half the
population over ten years Of age are able
to write. But little more than half can
read. This is not a question Of race.
Among the illiteratss there are almost
$4,000 whites, Of whom all but 552 are
natives. Alabama, South Carolina, Missis-
sippi, Louisiana and Texas are but little
better OF. Among the voters in these
states there are vast numbers unable to
read and write. How many the tables
at hand do not say; they only leave 1t to
DO inferred from such figures as these:
In South Carolina there are 604,172 col
ored people, of whom there are 1889
voters. OF the colored people oyer ten
years of age there are 3lO,O71 who are IL
literate. 1t is more than likely there
fore, that something like 100000 of these
colored voters belong to the illiterate
class. In Georgia there are 1904 white
voters and 142,47l colored. Since half
of the population above ten is unable to
read or write, it follows that something
like third, or at least a quarter, of the
voters would be in the same category,
which would give at least $4,000 litter
ate voters in Georgia. These are esti-
mates, of course; there may be tables
sOmewhere giving the exact figures, but
if so, they are not now at hand. The
same shocking state of ignorance pre-
walls all over the South. The difference
between it and the North is shown by
the percentage of illteracy. which av-
erages in the South about 45 per cent,
aud in the North less than per cent
In striking correspondence are the
difference in taxable valuation. The
valuation of Georgia, with 100000 in
,habitants, is $25i,000,0O0, or about $40
a head. Illinois, with 3,077,S7l inhabi-
tants, has a valuation of over $8l0,000,-
900. or more than $500 head. The rates
of taxation were 30 cents on 800 in
Georgia and 80 cents In Illinois. Georgia
spent $598,533 for public schools, while
Illinois spent $7,858.4l4. Georgia Is a
rich state and rapidly becoming richer.
Her indifference to education is simply
disgraceful. Since the war the North
has given fuf church and school work in
the South more than $25,000,0O0. 1t is
now proposed to go into the aid of edu-
cation 10y dividing the surplus of the
national revenue among the different
states. We are glad to observe that
even such a refOrmer in the educational
field as Mr.. j. p, Wickersham declared
himself as utterly opposed to the move
ment While the matter Is very Sc
riOus one the remedy is not far to find,
aud it might well enough serve as an is
sue in this queer campaign, which Is
coming, in which both parties believe
the same things. The cause OF the illit-
eracy is state Indifference. Its cure will
be made permanent just as soOn as a
law or amendment is passed restricting
national suffrage and national represent
alton in the appOrtiOnment for Con-
gressiOnal elections to those voters able
to read and write. The proposition is a
plain one. In a government like ours
10 man too lazy or stupid to learn to
read Is intelligent enough to have a
right to vote. And what is more, the
percentage of illiteracy is so small in
the North that such law could be car
ried. This done, the states will grapple
with illiteracy, and generation will
suffice to wipe it Off.-ChicagO Herald.