The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-01
THK BLAIR BILL
Propubipg AiA to sehools- where the OPP
position GsRss From'

Propusipg Ala TO Schools where the OPP
position Genes Erom.
sptcill 0orrop OadtAee Of M IRlelliqenor.
WASHINGTON, D. O., Feb. s7.-A de-
cIded opposition to the Blair educational
bill has developed in quarters Whereit
has heretofore been thought the measure
would receive unqualified support, and 1t
Is not probable favorable action viii be
taken by the House Of Representatives,
even II 1t passes the Senate. The grounds
taken by the Democratic strict eonstluc'
tiouists against national aid to free
schools 2re purely OF q constitutional
character, while few base their ObieC'
tons upon tho ground OF their opposition
10 the common school system In general.
| am glad 10 say there are no Republicans
VINO occupy such Q narrow ground. The
new opposition on the Republican side IL
based upon the argument that such aid to
the States Is mot needed by them, and
would, therefore, be useless expenditure
OF money, One ot tho grounds taken by
the Kansas and other Republican sena'
tors is that the bulk Of the appropriation
Of 81, 00O, 900, distributed on the basis OIL
illileracy, would 20 10 the Southern
States, the people Of which are RESPONSE
bic for their own ignorance, and that the
North should not be called upon to help
educate them.
senator Rlddlsbergsr answers this
proposition by the argument that the
North has freed the negroes, who largely
compose the ignorant population Of the
South, and endowed them with citizen.
ship, and BY 30 doing has impoverished
the Southern people to such an extent
that they find themselves untble to edu'
cate the Colored race and make intelligent
citizens Of them, Would 1t not, then, he
asks, be but q simple matter Of iustica to
these poverty-stFlCken people for the sec
ton which made them poor to assist them
in the great work. This may, perhaps, be
regarded as q homely Argument, but 10 ono
winch will be popular with the average
Southern man.
The queslion, as it 10 being argued, is
by no means q sectional or popular one.
Its advocates, as well Us It's opponents, are
found In every section and in both par
ties. Some Southern members, who In
their hearts do not favor the bill on con.
stitutional grounds, who think II would
be- establishing q dangerous precedent Tor
Congress- 10 vote money out OF The treas
ury US a gift to the States, aud who fear II
may result in being made political
weapon, and the. educational department
thus be made q parry machine, are yet
afraid to vote against ii. They fear 10 face
their constituents with recorded vote
agalns. measure proposing to distribute
millions Of dollars among the people for
educational purposes. They do not, like
Riddleberger, look upon 1t US an act Of
restitution which the North owes the
South. Others will vote against II be-
cause the people desire them to-saying
that they do not ask aid from tie Govern
mGnt; that they are able to educate them
selves without outside help. =.
Under the provisions OF the act, II
passed, West Virginia will receive for her
share more than Il million dollars. am
told that In compliance with petitions OF
all the teachers associations and eduCa-
tioral conventions and from thousands OF
citizens Of the State, Senators Camden
and Kenna VIII vote for the bill In the
Senate. Although ! have not talked with
all our representatives on the subject, |
have reason to believe they also are favor.
able to the measure. The Educational
Congress, which convened here last week,
and which was composed OF represents
tive educators from every section OF the
country, called upon Congress to pass the
pending measure. Their action and in-
telligent discussion Of the question will no
doubt materially affect the tate Of the bill.