The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-26
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
ESSAYS READ BEFORE THE STATE TEACHERS Asso
CITATION, DECEMBER, 1888
ExcELLEScEs AND DEFECTS OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM
BY REV. z, D. MILLER, D. D.

Mr.. PRESIDENT: When remember how Insignificant have
been the nsumentaes which Providence has used sometimes
determining the fate OF empires and shaping the history q
the world stand amazed the presence of prov
DENTAL scheme of education the United Staeso cherished
sosuccsss that baed from State Constitutions and Codes
Ia retas 0od Sc he wugef ard admiration of future genera
ions Howis Providence using gUng this most potent
influence in the worlds destiny think that see OF the
results in vast industries and enterprises and in the manner
and facilities for their accomplishment in the amiy that exists
between the enlightened powers of the earth and the United
Saeshese greater victories of peace than of war hear it
in the songs of the free and in the hum of our advancing civil
zaon Our institutions Of learning and of which
proud the lighthouses of civilization and our
learned and but the advanced agents OF grander
coming age How well this grand march of intellect remind
ing the whte horse and his rder his many and
the flashing title "King of Kings and Lord of Lords in the
apocaypc vison guarded by the wide diffusion of education
among the This the States best forhcaon against
foreign foes and her of pepeuang internal
The intelligence the Masses controlled by religion the States
greatest wealth. Or Martin Luther expressed nearly four
hundred years ago. he prosperity of country depends not
the abundance of its the strength Of its for
hcaons the beauty of its public buildings but consists
in the number of its cultivated citizens Its of education
enlightenment and character Here to be found its true
interests, its chief strength, its real power"
By this light PROPOSE best to point out at least
some the exceences and defects of public school system
In this investigation naturally turn to the Constitution Of
the State and the laws made under In the tenth article of
the Constitution written It shall be the duty Of the Legs
atre encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intel
ecua scientific moral and agricultural improvement by estab
fishing uniform system of free public Schools by taxation
otherwise for all children between the ages FIVE and twenty
years. and SHALL practicable establish schools OF
higher grade This article too names the officers necessary
the efficient management of such system of free education
The organic law is sufficiently ample in all its provisions the
subject of public education. somewhat flexible The
Legislature therefore, restricted only by the ability OF the State
provide by law the and agencies for the support and
management Of system Of public education equal to the wants
of the people.
much easier write Constitutional provisions than is
frame laws for the management of system vast and
vide for its support when compelled by necessity to
economze that we have not been able at least felt
do what otherwise would gladly have done building up and
perecting system Of education in the State Extremes how
ever had much do with its management At rst
extremely exavagant well corrupt it is rather
extremely restricted but the honor of those whose duty
manage it, they honest What needs is the
between these costly first cheap
as Too much economy is error. STILL our public
schools growing in favor with the people, and slowly ncreas
ing in efficiency, too.
There are however, defects in providing for and in the
agement of our educational system which, think can be shown
and this done successfully persuaded that will have
the hearty cooperation of the State in correcting them Chiefly
these defects the following: