The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-03-18

THE Blair educational bill has in it
germ of danger which should make the
house hesitate before passing it. Those
who are closest to the people are capable
OF passing the best judgment on this bill.
On the surface it appears very COM
mendable measure and to oppose it
seems to place an obstacle to the more
general diffusion of education. But
after all it is more the disposition than
the means to educate which is demanded.
Given the disposition and the means will
be readily forthcoming. Furnish the
opportunity without effort on the part OF
those designed to be benefited and the
advantages are seldom appreciated. The
government should not be paternal to
the extent of relieving the parent, to any
great extent, of responsibility in the
education of his child. Duty to the
family is paramount to duty to the state.
1t is falss theory to urge that the state
must educate its citizens to the exclusion
of the idea that it is the duty Of the
parent to educate bis child. In the
matter of education the state should act
through the pare Mt, experimenting by
mandate parental solicitude when that is
not sufficient to secure the end desired.
When the means of education are furn-
ished by the government the parent is
apt to sbsolve himself of all feelings of
responsibility in educational matters and
look to the government for the perform
ance of duty which is primarily his
and which cannot be SO efficiently dis
charged by any other agency. The peo-
pie are educated by providing the means
of education FOR the rising generation,
and appreciate its value in proportion to
the effort made to secure it. What
comes unasked is never valued highly.
A thing to have value must be the fruit
of labor. Government revenue comes
from the people but in such an indirect
way that they are not conscious Of being
taxed. When people pay directly they
want the value of their money. $500
The law passed by the last legislature
of this state imposing a state school tax
was regarded as wise in conception as it
was beneGcent in purpose. The only
criticism it called forth was the inequality
IN amounts received because of difference
in school population of different counties.
while the tax was in proportion to pro-
perty. This was only fault in the
details and did not effect the prin-
ciple of the law. And still that law has
proved a hindrance to instead of a pro-
moter of, education. It has increased
the state school fund, it has instantly re-
duced the district tax. A good district
school tax is a guarantee of good school
in that district, and liberality at school
meeting begets sentiment favorable to
general education. When we distrust
tne people they invariably act so as to
justify want of confidence.
What the southern states want is a
public sentiment favorable to general
education. This cannot be created by
taking from them all responsibility in
the matter. They must build up a
school system through toll and trouble
and vexation of spirit SO that they will
feel that what they have is worth pre-
serving and improving. To do this for
them is to encourage them to remain
quiescent in educational matters and
their Indifference will extend to the
schools provided without adequate effort
on their part. The Blair bill should be
defeated in the interests Of popular
education.