The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-05-31
The Proposed Change In the DDS
srihmsson OF the school Fuad.

-sris.ssen Of sA,e school Fsad.
The Aberdeen Examiner led of
few weeks ago with the proposition
that the present system CT distribu
ting the Public School Fund oftheI
Stats shoul | be changed so that the
money rcaliz d on wlisky license
sh ,uld b. appropriated for school
purposes within tn counties where
said licenses are granted, and that in
the cou ties where the licensing of
whisky is forbidden 10y law and the
people opposed to ths traffi;, they be
compelled to, look to. some. other
source for free school support. The
question has since. been very thor
oughly discussed by the Stste press,
and, as far as we hnve observed,
every pape' which has discussed the
subject at all, endorses the Exami-
ner's proposition. Ifthe mere prin-
ciple of fair dealing INTENDED for
we're the main one involved, we doubi
If there would be an obj ction from
any source. There are great many
people in the anti-liceus, counties,
as well "a elsewhere, who believe
that it is wrong in principle and de-
moral zing in its effects to maintain
public schools by licensing. a known
evil, and if the proposition were to
abolish the system throughout tn
entire State, they w ,uld most hearth
" concur; but as it does not rropos :
to do this, and Is besides subversive of
the great und 'rlying principle which
should control in public education
by the State. we believe large nun
b,r of the people of the State will
demur
The present system is prescribed
by our State Constitution, and, as
has alre .dy been well remarked by
some of our contemporaries who advo-
cate the change, is beyond the do
main Of mere legislative enactment.
Any change. therefore, will have to
come in the form of a constitutions
amendment, pending which there
will be ample time for free and full
discussion before the people.
In conjunction with the above sug-
gestions, the following f.om the pen
of that distinguished gentleman and
clear-head d thinker, DR.. Chas. B
Galloway, meets our hearty concur
renee, and is altogether the most SEN
sible treatment of the Examiner
proposition we have seen from any
quarter whatsoever.
Let us examine this proposition,
and &C whether or nor it will stand
the test of sound political wisdom,
laying aside for the while other and
higher considerations. The under
laying principle Of public education
must be ever kept in mind in deter
mining all measures for its promo
ton. Free schools are established
and maintained by the State for the
benefit of the illiterate poor. This
illiteracy is considered dangerous to
the peace and health Of the body po-
little, hence, to remove it. the entire
property of the State is taxed for the
maintenance of public schools. Tue
fund is distributed, therefore. not ac-
cording to the social, moral or pOliti-
cal sentiment Of community, but
the number of children needing an
education. The proposition, then, to
disburse this free school revenue only
in the counties where collected IS
subversive Of the foundation princi-
plies Of public education. On that
theory the State would have to close
every school house in the land. 1t
proposes TO educate not as necessity
requires, but according to the num-
Der of saloons licensed and maintain
ed. By what logic such a doctrine
is to be defended has not yet trans
pired. Again, it is manifestly OBJ
noxious to the spirit of our govern
ment in exciting local prejudces and
antagonisms. The revenues are
appropriated where the general in
terests demand, without regard to the
immediate locality from whence de
rived. Sufferers in the overlooked
districts have been relieved from the
general treasury. According to the
doctrine above, the hill counties
might justly complain of such expen-
ditures. In word, it is introducing
class legislation that is subverslve of
republican governm ents.
WE acknowledge the receipt of a