The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-05-31

ministration Of the State government
financial embar rassmeuts will be en-
cOuntered.
A detailed ard exhaustive report on
the levee system has heen sent to the
Assembly, which will give to
the people information on this impor
tant interest. Through the district,
State and interstate, levee conventions
much useful and important informa
ton has been disseminated. It is a
fact now conceded by all engineers
VIII" have given atten, ion to the Miss
i>sippi ri YER that levees are essential
i'll the first instance for the improve
m~nt Of that channel, aud while we
may anticipate MI increasing interest
in this subject on the part Of the peo-
pie of the different States. aud favor
able legislation hy Congress, we should
rot relax "ut rff"rts. but devote all our
energies to jhe prevention of ,munda-
tiOns.
That this can he done Can be .abun
dainty proved. Fortunately, feeling
and opinion gu this subject are unani
nous throughout the State. The hill
and al!uvial parishes are in accord,
aud the general levee tax no longer
meets with opposition. 1t has been
very gratifying TO hear from members
of the General Assembly from every
section Of the State patriotic u~tterances
in favor Of IL thorough levee system, re
c"gnizing the reciprocal obligations OF
different sections. While the produc-
tive capacity of the alluviai sections
will he increased by levee protection,
the school interest, in which II up
land parishes are most interested. will
be benefited Ivy large increase in AS
sessments and still more by the ardent
support which will be given to the
schools by the alluvial sections.
THE ILLlTERAcY IN THE STATE
is alarming. We have a large colored
population who stand in need of rudi
mentary education. Invested with all
the rights and privileges Of citizenship.
they vote. sit upon juries and in the
balls Of legislation, and occupy impor
tant judicial positions. They are in
f1uentiaI factors in our social and poll
tical existence. Without education. in
tellectual, moral and Industrial train
lug, it is appalling to think of the fu-
ture. This State has already done a
great deal toward advancing them in
the scale of intellectual aud political
life. She las made no distinction in
the distribution Of revenues for school
PURPOSES. But further efforts will he
required and further Assistance must
he rendered. This population will
have to be lifted up and advanced sra
dually but steadily. That this will be
better secured by separate schools for
the races past experiences has demon
strated. Fortunately this opinion has
steadily grown in relation to the educa
ton Of coIored children.
The State, asa government. is inter
ested in education only SO far as it pro
vides for the intelligent exercise OF civ
il duties and the means of acquiring an
subsistence-the ability to turn
faculties to any description of
employment. We must not,
commit the erro, of making
the higher branches of education privi-
leges to the children Of the wealthy
Intellectual dew elopment should be
encouraged. but no university should
State aid that does not confer
its privileges upon all classes of stu
1ents.
There is unusual energy now awaken
ID in this great interest, and if followed
Up it will carry the school-house to
very n-ighborhood.
All primary education should be &C.
by
INDUSTRIAL INSTRUCTION,
o that The youths of the State can fol-
ow any Mechanical. literary or intel
ectual occupation. The means of ad-
'anced instruction are ample and az
'ropriate. The best of works are pub
ished at a cost within the reach Of all.
public discussions, the facilities Of