The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-09-17

Tho Democratic platform contuinsa very
brave declaration on the subject OF popu-
] lar education, after an equally braye stand
in favor OF "tle separation OF Church and
Ii State though they were not already
2 separated We nre permitted to read,
"and the diffusion OF free education by
the common schools, SO that every child
z in the land may be taught the rights and
duties OF citizenship" Even this is a long
Z stride for the Democraticparty, which has
y come with great reluctance to d rccogni-
ton OF any merit in a free school sys-
Z TEN. But the world moves and this couh-
try leads, and the Democratic party is
4 dragged along.
. How does the Democracy propose 10
give OBJECT to lis declaration in favor Of
"athe diffusion Of free education by COM
4 mon schools"?l Unless it proposed that
4 the National Government sha]l come to the
rescue this declaration is mere catch
phrase, intended to tickle and deceive.
Il Fol: there is no way for the National gov
Ii eminent TO accomplish anything in the
1 matter: unless it appropriates money for
~ the schools OF the States Clearly this is
n notwhat the Democracy contcmplates, for
"a little further on in the same platform
q is this very pointed and conclusive utter
y ance "We arc opposed to all PROPOSE
4 tons which, upon any pretext would
: convert the general government into a
machine for collecting taxes to be dis
y tributed among the. States or the citizens
thereof.
$s "A machine is not necessarily 4 bad thing
3 and is not always TO be spoken Of con-
& temptuousty. For example, machine
I that would at the same time provide re-
& muneratiye employment for the fathers OF
America and free school education for
their children would not deserve to be
4 made as odious as treason. Part OF the
Il surplus which Republicans propose TO de-
,8vote to free school education is derived
from a system OF import duties which ac-
y complshes the double purpose OF revenue
4 and protection. Internal taxes and Gus
\ toms duties yield more than is required
q for present National, purposes; hence the
y humane and highly cxpedient suggestion
that tho National government shall help to
B dowhat many Of the States are not doing
Z efficiently and some are scarcely willing or
/ able to do ut all. i.5
Note what the Republican platform has
: to say on this subject: eve favor = wise
j and judicious- system OF general education
A by adequate appropriation fromkthc MAJ
1 tional revenues wherever the same is
\ needed. z This is something tangible. 1t
y covers the whole question and places the
Republican party on very high ground.
II It is in line with the bill which was offer.
Y ed in tho Senate by q Republican, fought
B through that body by Republicans, and
the Democratic House did not
Y think Of sufficient Importance to consider.
THE biz, as amended, appropriates ST.
4 900, 900 to be; distributed in eight annual
payments, beginning with 100000 the
first year, reaching sl5oo0,000 the third,
u and ending with s5,o0o,0oo.
. L Tho Democrats did what they could
n against the bill, particularly endeavoring
n to load itwith Objectionable amendments.
6 Senator Butler, OF South Carolina, went SO
4 far sas to propose to raise the money by
Y direct tax tho proposition being intended
y rs 4 direct, mortal blow Mt the bill. Fin.
!: ally thc,bill was passed. BY this time
\ the country had been heard from, and
I thirteen Democrats joined with twenty
Republicans 70 pass the bill. Nine Dem.
! ocrats and only two Republicans opposed
! the, bill on its final passage. II the Demo-
cratic House had been willing to make
this good public use Of the government
s"machinc, West Virginia would have re-
eceived aid Of substantial value in a work
which is being done very imperie:tly.
with National aid We should begin to
Blengthen the school year and add TO the
number and general efficiency Of our
schools &. IS !. NJ
The National government Inns the
money and the Democratic party says i
shall not be devoted tofrcc school educa-
ton. This is one Of the issues on (which
tho country is about to express itself
the ballot box: u