Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-02
TIE BLAIR BILL.
Isseressiss csrespsstenee Betwss HOE
yshn =. Barbour and she Chairman Of sss
Csmmtstee In Chsrze OF the Bill.
MIR. BARBOUR TO THE "DIsPATcH. y
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Dear Sir,-I herewith forward to
you for publication the enclosed copy
Of . very able and interesting letter OF
the Hon. A. S. Willis, Of Kentucky,
which have just received, relative to
the Blair educational bill. The letter
was written in reply to one addressed
by me to him on the general subject, q
copy Of which also enclose by way OF
explanation.
The clear and comprehensive state
ment of Mr.. Willis, am sure, will be
read with interest by the people of Vir-
ginia. Very respectfully yours,
JOHN s. BARBOUR.
Mr.. BARBOUR TO MR.. WILLIS.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 8, 1885.
Hon. Albert S. Willis, Louisville, Ky. !:
Dear SIR In the pending canvass in
this State the Republican leaders are
seeking to make political capital out Of
the failure of the Blair (educational)
bill to pass the House Of Representa-
tives of the last Congress.
AS you were selected to take charge
of the bill in the House Of Representa-
tives, and, of course, are familiar with
all the facts, l will be greatly obliged
if you will address me letter in ex-
PLANTATION of the causes which led to the
failure of the bill to be taken up for
consideration in the House. Do me the
favor to state if party lines were drawn
for and against the bill, and if the
Democratic party, as q body, were in
opposition to its passage, and if any
Republicans objected to its considera-
ton.
If agreeable, propose to publish
your letter, or, il not agreeable, | will
only use facts which you may be kind
enough to communicate.
Please let me hear from you at your
earliest convenience and oblige, yours
truly, JOHN S. BARBOUR.
MR.. WILLIS TO MR.. BARBOUR.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. Is, 1885.
Dear Sir,-I have just received your
letter stating that the Republican lead
ers in the pending Virginia canvass are
seeking to make political capital out Of
the failure of the "Blair educational
bill" " to pass the House Of Representa-
tiyes of the last Congress.
In four successive Congresses | have
been member Of the committee which
has jurisdiction Of such bills. In the
last Congress-the Forty-eighth-I was
chairman Of the subcommittee having
immediate charge Of the question. Fa-
miliar, by reason Of my position, with
all the facts, ] am very greatly sur.
prised that any one should attempt to
charge the Democratic party with en-
nifty towards the Blair bill. It's action
upon that bill in the last Congress, both
in the House and in the Senate, was
prompted by the same high devotion to
the cause of popular education which
has illustrated its policy from the days
of Thomas Jefferson to the present
time.
| THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF
| THE FoRTY-EIGHTH NGRESs
| FAVORABLE TO THE EDUCATIONAL
BILL.
The briefest examination Of the record
will confirm this statement. On the
very first day permitted by the rules
over half a dozen bills granting Fede-
raj aid to education were introduced by
prominent Democrats. This was one
step. For the first time a separate
Committee on Education was created,
so that exclusive attention could be
given to these bills. A committee con-
sisting OF seven Democrats and four
Republicans friendly to the general pro-
position was appointed by the Demo-
cratic Speaker. A subcommittee was
designated with a chairman who was
the avowed friend of Federal aid. The
subcommittee presented bill within
twenty days after it was formed appro-
priating sj5, 100000 for public educa-
tion-a bill, except as to the amount,
almost identical with the bill subse-
quently passed by the Senate. This
House bill, No. 1880, was accom-
panied by a lengthy report show
ing the Importance and necessity
of its prompt passage. The bill
was reported February IL, 1884,
and recommitted. On February %,
1884, it was committed to the Com
mittee of the whole House on the State
of the Union and placed upon the cal
endar. | enclose the bill and the re-
port. This was the Forty-eighth Con-
gress, first session. In the Senate, at
the same session, similar bill, justly
called from its distinguished advocate
the Blair bill, was reported on
March 10, 1884.
If this question was political one,
which deny, or if in Congress it had
been treated as party issue, which |
also deny, will any one, in view of the
foregoing facts, charge the Democratic
House with lukewarmness or indiiler-
ence in its support? Every fact refutes
such charge. Never in the history of
legislation was bill Of such Importance,
and involving such an immense amount,
so promptly and unanimously reported.
On the 10th Of March, 1884, when
the Senate educational bill was reported,
the House bill Of similar purport had
been on the calendar for month lack
ing two days.
PARLIAMENTARY RULES, AND NOT
| DEMOCRATIC VOTES, PREVENTED
FURTHER ACTION IN THE HOUSE.
But why, it may be asked, did not
the House pass either its own bill or
he Senate bill? The "Blair" bill
was taken up in the Senate in seven
days after it was reported. This could
be done under their rules, which are
flexible, practical, and sensible, differ
ing in that respect from those of the
House. The friends of Federal aid in
the House were unanimous in the
opinion that as the Senate bill made a
larger appropriation than the House
bill, and as We would have the benefit
of the Senate's judgment, we should
await its final action. This brought US
to the 10th day of April, 1884. By
this time special orders had been made
for so many important bills that it was
impossible to unite the friends Of the
Blair bill mean the friends, Repub-
lican and Democratic, regardless Of par