Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-14
- wnlis Ehncntional Blll.

The impression grows that the Wills
bill. which provides for Federal alu 10
education. stands a very good chance Of
being passed by this Congress. 1t GER
tainIv has many more friends than either
Of the educational bills in last Congress
had. 1t may be modified in some unim-
portant particulars so as to guard against
any waste or misuse Of the money which
it appropriates, but its main features will
not be disturbed. Mr.. Willis is pushing
this educational measure with skill and
ability. He attended the Educational
Convention at Louisville last summer. and
became thoroughly satisfied that the
public money could not be more prontably
spent than in educating the illiterate
masses Of the country. His home paper,
the Louisville C0urisr-J0urnQLopposes the
bill and opposes the policy Of aiding the
States to maintain their schools, but mat
paper. although it defends its position
ably. has not succeeded in convincing
Mr.. Willis that his bill is a mistake.
There is a good deal to be said against
government aid TO education, but not as
much as there Is to be said in favor Of it.
The chief argument Of the Courier-JOur-
nal is that if the government contributes
to the education Of the people the States
will gradually shirk their responsibility
in the matter, and VIII finally throw the
whole burden on the government. The
tendency Will be to weaken the respect OF
the people for the states, and increase
their dependence on the central govern
ment. Briefly put, the COurier-JolTHdt $
objections are. first, that the States will
cease to do their part in the matter
Of education, and that part being
much the larger part, the people
viii not receive the educational advan-
tages they now receive; and second, the
scheme leads towards Capitalization. The
first objection is answered by the state
ment that government aid will not be eX-
tended to States which fail to contribute
their full share to the educational fund;
and the second objection is met by the
question: Which tends more strongly to
Capitalization, ignorance or government
aid to education?
1.-THE republic is to be maintained it Is
necessary that the people should under
stand the principles on which it is based.
Deprive them Of the knowledge Of these
principles and they have respect only for
power. The illiterate> of the South are
composed almost wholly of negroes.
About the only government they have any
regard for is the government at Washing
ton, because II presents to them the idea
Of power. On the question Of centraliza-
ton the argument is certainly with the
friends Of the Federal education scheme.
1t IS true that the Southern States are
doing what they can to educate their
people, but the work is more than they
can do successfully. The proportion of
those who pay no taxes is so large that
| the best that the taxpayers can do is to
keep the percentage OF illiteracy from in
! creasing. In the meantime where the
| ignorant class largely preponderates its
evil influences on the intelligent class are
noticeable. The moral tone is lower and
| crimes Of violence are more prevalent. OF
| course in such communities there is very
little material prosperity. There is no
growth from any source. The Willis bill
will, Of course, meet with strong OppOsi-
ton, but it, or some measure like it, will
| sooner or later be passed by Congress.