The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-03
Illiteracy in the United States.
Reasons why the Bill Giving Material
Aid 10 Common schools should be
Passed.


At meeting of friends OF temporary ma
tional aid to common schools, held at the resi-
dence of Dexter A. Hawkins, in the city of
New York, December 18th, 1884, Il. Fl. Boody
was chosen chairman, and Rev. DR. E. BIN.
Browne, secretary. Addresses we're made by
Mr.. Boody, Mr.. Mayo, DIR. Prime, DR.. Browne,
Mr.. Hawkins and General Palmer
Rev. A. ID. Mayo, DR.. Browne and Mr.. Dex-
ter A. Hawkins were chosen q COMMITTEES to
60 to Washington and urge the passage Of the
EDUC stlonal bill OF the Senate, now pending
in the House.
Mr.. Hawkins reported the following state
ment and resolution, which we're unanimously
adopted, ordered printed and COPY sent to
each member of Congress:
1t appears by the CENSUS of 1880 that there
are IN the United States 6 1888 1858 persons
above the age OF ten who cannot read and
write; that of these 1,90S,S1S are voters, and
that the number of illiterate voters in nearly
every State is larger than the majority in the
sad state tor either political party at ths
Presidential elections. In some OF the States
it is from forty to fifty per cent Of the whole
mum Der OF voters; hence the decision of the
Presidency is always in the hands of those who
cannot read the ballots they cast. Through
ignorance they either do not perform their
political duties at all, or do 1t imDsrfectly and
under the direction of some designing leader
This is constant menace to free institutions
The productveness of the labor of illiterates
Is from twenty-five to fifty per cent. less than
1t would be ii they were educated to the ex-
tent OF the usual common school course; hence
llllteracy is great hindrance to the growth of
national wealth. The ignorant in the United
States produce twenty-five times their pro rata
proportion OF paupers, and ten times their pro
rdtd proportion OF criminals; hence, as a Oon-
sequence OF illiteracy, they impose a heavy
burden upon tbe rest OF the commanity The
States Northwest of the Ohio have munificent
school funds from public lands granted by the
national government, but the States now op-
pressed with llliteracy have not been thus
favored.
All parts of the country are 80 Intimately
bound together thst disease or injury in one
part affects the whole, and its cure is equally
for the benefit of the whole
In the localities whore il,iterscy most
abounds is the greatest lack of means to rems-
dy 1t. II they undertook the expense unaided
1t would. for some years, require heavier
burden or taxation than any community can
stand.
This condition of affairs was to a great ex.
tent bronght about by the nation, and the
nation should aid in relieving it. The uues-
tion IN various forms has been before Congress
Tor eleven years. and has been fully discussed
ID all Its bearings. The bill that passed the
Senate last session seems to provide the need
ed national aid, and, if the House of Repre-
sentatIyes is 80 disposed, it can be readily sub
stituted for the House bill and passed this ses-
sion, thus enabling the illiterate States, by
another year, to provide schools for all their
children.
Resolved, That the members of the House
be most earnestly requested to take up and
pass the Senate bill ITO aid in the establish
neht aud temporary support OF common
schools at the earliest day practicable