Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-04-19
Education.
Nashville Banner.

In the bill providing for govern
ment aid to the public schools OF
states, Que of the features over which
its friends had to fight, was the
manner of the. distribution of the
aid. The friends of the bill at first
strenuously contended for making
the distribution through govern
ment officials; but finally it was
agreed that it should be done
through the regular machinery of
the state governments. Then the
question of amount to be distribu-
ted received close attention. Per-
haps the hardest fight has been on
the constitutionality of the act. In
regard to the amount, either named
would be a very great help to the
state schools, and ought to be ac-
ceptable and as to the constitutions
ality of the measure, it would seem
that precedent was found in the aid
which the government has all along
given to railroads and educational
institutions. Ifit be argued that
this was justified upon the ground
that the grant of lands was mere
return to the states of what had
been given by the states, it may be
answered, so with the mOney-the
government returns what has been
collected off of the people of the
states. Certainly that clause of the
constitution which allows legisla-
tion for the well-being and preser-
vatiOn of the government, gives the
right to congress to pass bill that
has the weli-being of the country
so directly in its provisions as the
educational bill under discussion.
But if this be thought to be too
liberal construction of the consti-
tuition, it may be answered that the
gives the right to pass such legisla-
ton. IL is here that the govern
ment has undertaken to regulate
suffrage. Having made voters and
declared that she may pass suitable
legislation to protect them in the
rights giyen-that is, that they
must not be deferred from voting or
made to vote contrary to their will,
then, unquestionably, she can also
provide aid to means which will
give them knowledge OF how to
vote. Indeed, this may be said to
be obligatory upon the government.
Having put the ballot in the hands
of voters, she must aid them to learn
how to deposit it.
Here, too, comes in the desira-
bility of the measure. 1t is desira-
BILE because it is needed to make
better and more intelligent citizens
of the people. And, as suggested |
by Mr.. Voorhees,, 1T is desirable be-
cause the sectional lines are broken |
down and the people OF the two
sections divided upon other ques-
tions may come together upon the |
broad and benificient one of educa-
ton.
But all those points being about |
settled, it may not lie inappropri-
ate to use an argument in favor of
the states to distribute the |
which is also applicable to |
other questions besides this one. 1t |
is contended by some of the oppon- |
ents of this plan that the money |
will not be properly spent, that our |
system of the distribution of school |
funds is very poor. The remedy is |
provided that an improper use of
the money works as withdrawal |
of the aid from the state where the |
fault lies. But besides all this, it |
would be best to allow the states to |
it upon the principle that
a father trusts his son with business |
as means of development. There |
is no school like that of experience |
and practice is the best educator. !
Give to- the states this responsibility |
and the care which will be exercis- |
ed over its proper distribution will |
tend TO improve the manner of
not only the part con-
but that raised by the
state itself. Having learned to stand
alone, she will be prepared to do so
when the aid is spent. From every
point OF view we see much good to
come out of this movement.