The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-27
THE BLAIR EDUCATION BILL.
ssnator wilson Recent speech-His Views on
the Educational Question.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Public attention
the country must necessarily have
become somewhat directed to the debate which
has been in progress for some time In the
Senate ON the Blair educational bill. This
debate has been participated in by most all
the sneakers on both sides of the Senate
chamber, and the arguments on either side
have been able and elaborate. Judge Wilson,
of MARYLAND, made his maiden speech in the
Senate on this bill on Friday last, and the
reasons of opposition which he adduced are
50 copent and forcible as to warrant their
publication at some length. He said 1.-The
measure forcibly demonstrates the dangers
and abuses likely TO result from an attempt
by Congress to appropriate money to be eX-
pended within the states for purposes outside
of federal control, and lying exclusively within
the reserved rights and duties OF the states
EsRight here" he continued, sin the first at
tempt to appropriate out of the national treas
ury money raised by taxation for the mani
tenance of public schools, with full DIS,
claimer on the part of the friends OF the bill OF
any desire or power to shape or control state
school systems, we find the baldest attempts
TO dictate to the states how those systems shall
be ordered and regulated. 1t first provides
that so many millions of dollars shall be dis
tributed among the states for the support OF
common schools upon the basis of illlteracy.
If it stopped there it would be such law as
its advocates alone claim the power to enact.
But the bill further proceeds to prescribe a
course of studies as a condition precedent to
the endowment of its bounty. 1t is perfectly
manifest that if we have the right to prescribe
one course of study of the simplest kind we
have the right in like manner to enforce an
other of still higher grade; or, in other
words, we can take charge of that entire
branch of school legislation, giving the state
the alternative of conforming to our Will or
Of losing all claim to her share of such appor-
tionment
"Another section provides that unless state
raises by home taxation as much money as
her apportionment under the law would give
her. She shall forfeit the difference between
the amount she does raise and the amount OF
her apportionment Thus, she must adapt
her legislation to this bill in the exercise OF
her sovereign right of taxation or pay the
penalty of disobedience. Another section
forbids the spending of any of the money al,
lotted to a state toward building school
houses. 1t makes the erection of more school
houses absolutely necessary to the lull trultlon
of this money in many of the states, but I'M
noses upon such states the necessity OF fur
Their taxation for such new school houses, or
makes them forfeit all right to any share OF
this common fund. Another section provides
that no money shall be paid out to any state
which shall not have provided system OF
free common schools for all its children OF
school age, without distinction OF race or
color, either in the raising or IN the dlstriD-
uting of school revenues, or in the school ia
cilities afforded. Several states, as their laws
now stand, must report systems in greater
or less degree not conformable to this require.
ment. Such states. then, must forfeit all
claim to any share of this fund, whilst bearing
their full share of the burdens of taxation, or
hasten TO conform their laws to the dictation
of Congress.
sNow let us not be told that Congress does
not actually establish any school system IN
state by direct and positive legislation, but
only euacts conditions precedent which we
must conform to if we desire to reap any
benefit from this legislation. Such law, 1t is
plain, will prove a direct and powerful agency
toward coercing states in such law-maklng as
Congress chooses to impose upon them. II
will be an entering wedge to the control oil
state systems of education, to be driven home
by the powerful influences of great and much,
coveted largesses on the one hand and oil
heavy punishments by way of forfeitures on
the other. If 1t were in the power of state
to escape taxation while rejecting all benefit
from such a law, there would be but little
practical hardship. But she must pay hel
quota of taxation, while if she does not bow
the knee to federal dictation like whipped
child she is driven away from the table and Is
not permitted to partake of the feast
aif the representatives of the states and
people once succumb to this species of legis
iatiop. then indeed will our states and people
lie PROSTATE at the feet of federal power
This government can tax the people ad h6'
tunl-S70. 000. 900 per annum, II they choose
instead of an average of 81, ZOO, 600 for schoo
purposes; and then debar any state from the
endowment of any share of this enormous bur
den until she complies with any conditions
Congress sees fit to impose. 1t we can donate
public money for schools, prescribing rule!
| to which states must accede by corresponding
legislation, what is to hinder Congress from
appropriating money to improve the road sys
TENS of the states, with like provisions TO
| forfeitures upon the non compliance with pre-
scribed conditions? And so with the police
systems and other great branches of the state
! legislative powers. Sir, such legislation a
the bill before us initiates is nothing but tn
beqiuuing of a system which would enable thu
general government, by tempting gifts on tn
one hand and crushing forfeitures on tn
other to bring the states into the most dis
graceful of all subjections, based in equal de
grees upon the ignoble motives of greed an!
fear. The simple truth must be, Mr.. Presi
dent, and common sense so declares, tina
when subjects like education, internal ,polic'
and road systems are clearly committed to tn
states their jurisdiction over such matters
conclusive, and Congress has nothing what
ever to do with them. Being reserved to tn
states, it is their business not only to legislat
on such subjects, but to support them by al
needful taxation. If Congress has the powe
to aid in their support, we have just as muc
power to support them altogether, and all ex
perience teaches that the power which SUP
| morris will CONTROL