The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-03-25

war, ana mas brought 10 utAf % hIllIf
array Of figures IN support OF his position
md proposals.. II The measure shall go
from the senate 70 the house or In any way
come up for Discussion 10 the house, we
pprehend that The peoples Representa-
tiya3 viii be not a little puzzled IN the mat
ter Of taking positions thereon. IL has
en-. eyed the aenote's attention during the
past week. aud in some way or other may
be expected TO demand and receive at
tsntion.
At FIRST view this proposition looks se-
duo,ive and proper. IL the government
vrings surplus millions from the people, il
looks like simple justice only to return
some OF II 10 them for the worthiest Of all
objects, the training Of the minds OF the
rising generations. TO the south also II
looks we'll, In view OF the fact that the
general government at ore fell blow
a few years since swept away
the great item of their wealth
and has forced that item upon the southern
states as a matter Of financial concern In
tine sphere OF education, not only taking II
away but rendering IL q burden from a
money or property point Of view. These
conslderaiions are likely to weigh greatly
with the southern Representatives in the
determination Of al these matter OF Federal
aid to static for coIumo .chool purposes.
As Self recommendation, however, as Tho
2, oplslt'on mEy be and ns strongly sup
ported 90 q may be from outside reflections
- ..,.affrr.tte-a ~. ava ,rl s.-apare1 20
say that his bill ought TO pass, or . meas
ure Ike it, and, indeed, there are two or
three now before congress looking 20 the
same general end. la the first
place the practice o; depending up
on tho general government for aid
In The premises is like to lead 20 apathy OF
indifference in the matter Of provision by
the state for common schools. Communi'
ties, like individuals, are not going TO DO
all for themselves that can be done, 30 long
as full treasury OF an outsider Is within
reach. If q state has 10 raise only third or
certain sum of another sum. to obtain
generous donation, 1t is not going TO raise q
dollar more than is necessary. But in fifteen
years the generosity Of the government
will exhaust itself. 1t will either exhaust
itself In a certain number OF years or 1t
must be made perpetual. When exhausted,
the states who have taken and depended
mainly, as is natural, upon this assistance
and have failed TO so their full length in
building up upon a solid basis Of their own
means and energy, great common school
system, will find themselves practically or
at least comparatively, without u public
system in the vanguard of the age. The
time and cost then OF catching up with
their nuighbors will be greater and more
bnrdonsome than ever.
Take the state of Louisiana, for instance.
Under this bill she would get some 500,
900 or over the FIRST year, and $50 goo less
after that. and so on. To obtain this sum
she would nave 10 rsise and expend some
.25o,oco The frst year ord regularly de.
cressing theresiter. Does anyone suppose
that Louisiana property holders would tax
themselves further than absolutely neces-
sary 10 obtain this sum when SO large
portion of IL would have to 60 TO the educa-
ton OF the blacks? And yet the people of
O state must be early taught to contribute
TO the full extent Of their means for the
support of public schools, Il the glory OF
that commonwealth is ever to consist in
tie intelligence of its citizens.
In word. such benefaciions and con-
tributions are calculated TO render the
states negligent and nggardly in the
premises, where generous support through
taxation is above oil things first TO be
secured. And while the southern states
we're supporting Tor term OF years pub
lie school system off OF government mon
eys, O temporary arrangement at best, the
New En- gland states would be educating
themselves and building better than they
dreamed OF perchance In the solid growth
by domestic or local taxation OF a school
system that would prove q monument to
any people In any age.
Just as the self-educsted man is the bet
ter educated and the stronger man, so with
the self-educatsd community. There are
exceptions bat this is the rule.
Aside from these considerations we can
not see either the propriety, justice or war
rant In taking the moneys raised for federal
purposes only anu hppiS inb ~ W stnso syo-
tens, 1t Is unconstitutional TO misspply
money and IL is unconstitutional not
10 say criminal TO give away or
waste the public moneys. And yet
this scheme involves the giving away Of
millions of money collected for federal pur-
poses from Iowa or Maine or Texas who 90
not want aid In the premises and only feel
called upon to assist in keeping mp the gov
eminent and educating their own children,
not TO contribute 10 bsnieh illiteracy from
other states. Il there any constitutional
warrant for this transportation OF federal
taxes, for this robbery Of Texas, q state en-
tlrely independent In school matters, to
aid South Carolina or New Mexico? Most
sssuredly not We think.
What may be the final outcome Of such
proposed legislation we cannot now conjsc-
turs hut It strikes Us as . very poor and
an extremely questionable way Of
dI.posine Of the treasury surplus. This
government l. not parent, nor yet q guar
Alan. and has nothing 10 do With the edu-
cation OF the people. II the congresses will
cont,ps themselves 10 tbslexitimsts sphere
!. r.-lsrsl LEGISLATION and let the Gtsses ,