National Republican., 1885-12-19
The Educational RilI,

The Senate having already made good
progress in doing over again the work
which was lost through opposition or nom
action on the part of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the forty-eighth Congress, 1t
may be assumed that II viii move right
on In the high path of duty, confirming the
wisdom OF the fathers who established
such representation of sovereign states,
and justifying the confidence of the people
in Its patriotism, integrity, and capacity.
mus moving, the Senate will, IN due
time, take up, consider, and pass again the
educational bill which passed that body ON
the 7th Of April, 1884, and died in the other
end of the capitol on the 4th of March.
1885, by reason of neglect on the part of
the majority.
This bill provides for national aid to
states in the support of free schools, such
AID to be distributed on the basis of Hitter
acy. 1t appropriates $l5,O00,OO0 the first
year, ana VIII give to every state and terri
tory S3 for each person over 10 years of age
who cannot read, and $24l for each person
who cannot write, lessening in amount, that
isaccording to the basis of distribution, ST.
OOO,OCO yearly for ten years, when all pay
ments are to cease. Each state will apply
the funds and render yearly account of
the manner In which the work is done, The
Executive, If dissatisfied, can withhold
further expenditures, subject to the action
oil Congress. Furthermore each state and
territory must expend for school pur-
poses at least one-third the amount re-
ceiyed during the first five years and an
equal amount the second five years of the
operation Of the bill If it should become
law. States receiving small amounts can
eXpend the same for normal instruction,
teachers institutes, or otherwise, as they
prefer. The amount that New Hampshire
receives, for instance, MS stated by Senator
Blair, the author of the measure, would in
crease her normal school facilities more than
threefold beyond the present expenditure
of the state, or give 50 cents yearly to per.
sons of school age.
Another important provision is that the
funds must be applied to schools and not
to structures, not exceeding one-tenth TO
the qualification Of teachers, which is the
first necessity. The states are required to
so use the funds as TO bring about an actual
equalization of school advantages to all
children alike. Industrial education is
provided for when practicable, which the
friends Of the bill think will be but seldom, |
although something may be done in suita-
ble localities and in the way of beginning.
The method of expenditure in the states,
as described by Mr.. Blair, is the same sub.
stantially which has Rlreadybeen adoptedin
the passage Of the bill establishing a ma
tional school fund from the proceeds of the
sale OF public lands. As both parties have
already indorsed that method of expendi-
ture on more than one occasion, the com
mittee on education, or at least a majority
OF its members, thought best to avoid all
chance for controversy on that subject by
adopting that which, having been repeatedly
sanctioned, cannot now be repudlated with
Carefully collGted statistics show that
ven after 100000 are divided upon the
JfsIs Of illitcraey, the individual child win
cceiyo for his education In California,
'lbl2 in Colorado, Sll3i; in Connecticut,
lOili IN Nevada, Sl44O; in New Hamp-
hire, SlOOT' in Rhode Island, all. .36; in
District Of Columbia, sl3G1, ard In Massa-