Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-14


any other state was ordered to its eneross-
ment.
THE FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
| In the State Senate yesterday the Senate
bill to amend and reenact section A, chap
ter IS, of the Code Of 1878, in relation TO
tea chers' institutes was taken up.
Mr.. Heaton, the patron of the bill, said
that the ODE ct of it was to prevent the clo:-
ing Of the public schools in order that the
teachers may attend these institutes. 10
his county last year, during the meeting OF
the Teachers Institute all of the schools
were closed for one week, which cost the
State over 500. The teachers who failed 10
attendwere ined five dollars per day for every
day they failed to attend, and he desired 10
put stop to this Objectionable feature of
| these teachers institutes.
MrPowell, Mahoneite, who followed Mr..
Heaton, during his remarks said:
| | am opposed to the free-school system.
IF YOU paw this State debt something must
be sacrificed. What institution will you sac
rilce?
Mr.. Mccormick: You are not al advo-
cate Of the free-school system?
Mr.. Powell have always been opposed
to it. | will say this much: have never
opposed that system az party measure.
AIr. Glasgow: desire to say, Mr.. Chair.
man. that I admire the independence and
spirit of any man who is bold enough to ex-
press his opinion SO openly. He is the first
public man | have heard within the Com
Inonwealth do this thing. ! do admire his
manhood.
Mr.. Powell: l have made that remark
publicly from the stump. Personally, am
willing 10 lend my vote and voice to any
measure to protect the system if it becomes
a party auestion-it it becomes necessary to
the party | am associated with. The free
school system [ will do my best to support.
Mr.. Wick ham Will the gentleman allow
me 10 ask him question?
Mr. Powell nodded assent.
MIR. Wickham: Do understand the gen.
lleman to say he is willing, under any cir
cumstances, to make the free schools a par
~ issue?
Mr.. Powell That is exactly what mean,
sir.
Mr.. Wickbam: Then I say if his party
takes that ground and view they are active
enemies of the free-school syatem.
Mr.. Powell: claim to be independent,
and for the 6rst time
Mr.. Grim: What party do you belong to
Mr.. Powell: If you listen you can draw
your conclusion, which will not probably be
erroneous. | just remarked | would favor
the rce-school system as a party measure
rs the grand principle Of that party as the
fundamental principle Of that party. | am
willing to mutilate my private opinion about
many matters in order to bring about the
triumph Of my party and its grand purposes.
Hence am willing to sacrifice 10 certain
extent my private opinion about matters OF
details Of State Government such as free
schools.
Personally am opposed to that system.
have always opposed it. | never conceal
ed NV sentiments The man who wants a
line suit of clothes ought to buy them. The
man who wants to educate his children
ought to pay for it, dout propose to bind
any party by my opinions.
j don't propose to bind any one by my
sentiments. may be and am personally
opposed to the sysem-certainly to such a
system as is administered in this State-and
| make this assertion from observation |
have been enabled to make from my own
personal knowledge. |, however, expect to
vote for the proposition OF my friend Mr..
Heaton) | could not refrain from making
some alusion TO the matter, knowing his
sentiments in regard TO the free school sys-
tenn. My friend is great friend to the free
school system, yet he omits no occasion to
indicate by his talk and action his unfriendli-
ness. He wants all the children of the
Commonwealth educated. He wants eve
rybody to help to do it, and is willing him
self to lend his aid to education. Standing
upon his pre- eminent and high point OF
observation, no doubt such course com
mends itself 20 his charitable notions.
think that at heart my friend is opposed to
the free school system. / think this propo-
sition is an obstacle i'll the way of the free
school system. ! am opposed to them not
only from personal, but private selfish con
siderations. Let me say all human actions
have their origin in sellishness. don't be-
leve a man ever says his prayers without
selfish consideration. Laughter am a
readjuster because | think | will make
something by it. Roars of laughter. He
is a funder to make something out of it.
Renewed laughter.
Mr.. President, will address myself Sc.
rollsly to the subject. am not personally
i'm favor Of free schools. am still advocat.
ing the system as a party measure. My
| friend is doing the same thing, because the
platform of the Lynchburg convention re
quires him 10 do it. Such has been the
practice of all ages. He wants to destroy
the schools. | am with him in that mat
ter want to destroy them honestly.
don't want any free school system.
The bill was read the third time and
passed.
THE BURKE & HERBERT BILL