The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-23

done even with the present high rate
of taxation. We must have assistance
from some quarter. Where can We
get il more appropriately than from
the Federal Government. The Blair
bill proposes to give Tennessee an av-
erage Of SSO0,964 per annum. This,
added 10 our present school fund,
would give us 81, $40, 6l3, which prop
erly managed would establish an
efficient system Of public schools.
This Sl,Sl6,6l3 will be circulated
among the people, and will in that
WAY be OF great pecuniary benefit in
addition TO It's educational advantages.
II has heen contended that the object
of the Blsir bill IVES to depete the
Treasury so as to make a high tariff
necessary. This is not true. The de-
pletion OF the Treasury would render
reasonable reduction OF the tariff
necessary, because a reduction OF the
tariff would increase the revenue in
stead OF decreasing 1t. But / am for
the Blair bill on its own merits; be-
cause il is Just and right; without any
regard 10 the tariff.
This lie not a party question. Its
leading opponents are Democrats and
Republicans and its leading advocates
are Democrats and Republicans. The
question OF national aid IN education
has heretofore been sustained by all
parties. We must either receive ma.
tional aid or abandon our school sys'
tenn, because the people Of Tennessee
are unable to bear sufficient taxation
to sustain an effective system and any
other is worthless. While / highly
respect those who advocate a strict
construction Of the constitution and
who are against enlarging the powers
OF the Federal Government yet l
think they carry the doctrine too far
when they oppose national aid to edu-
cation. The appropriation Of money
to improve rivers in the States is lar
greater stretch OF power in tie Federal
Government and has much more
centralizing tendency than national
aid TO education, because in the case
OF river improvements the Federal
Government employs the hands to do
the work aud controls the money,
while in national aid TO education the
State employs the teachers and con-
trols the money.
As this measure is clearly constitu.
tional and in accordance with Demo-
cratic usage, recognizing, as it does,
the rights OF the States, it cannot be
objected to, because the Southern
States get $6l ,000, 900 out OF the ST.
100000 appropriated. This is done,
not because they are 5 uthern, but
because they have the greatest amount
of illitrracy, growing out OF the pres
ence Of large black population
Shall we reject this offer, and thereby
necessiiate the abandonment of pub
lie school education or largely in
crease taxation necessary to main
tain an efficient system of public
schools? This ia the real question and
we cannot evade it. Let Us be wise in
time.
have not gone into a discussion oil
the details OF the Blair bill, because
/ deemed that unnecessary. The con
diiions which are contained in the
bill do not interfere with the right
the State 10 manage the fund. They
are only such conditions as are neces
sary to secure IA thful execution o.
the trust, and cannot be objected tC
by any who are really in favor OF ma
tlonal aid to education. While | an
not in favor OF making support OF thii
bill a test of Democratic fealty, l can
not zee how any Democrat can op
pose il.