Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-05-20
The Voice of tho People.

Under the above caption, the NASHVILLE
Union publishes, in its educational col
umns, the following letter from our
county superintendent r. L. Patton:
TELFoRD, May 14.-7he Union desires
to know how Washington county regards
the Blair bill. This is very easily told,
because there is practically no opposition
to the bill in the county. This is the
naked truth about the matter. Especially
do u farmers advocate national aid to
education. A large majority of them de-
pend wholly upon the common schools
for the training of their children in the
branches of q common education. This
is their demand upon the common schools.
This is the demand of the masses.
The supply does not satisfy the demand.
Ninety days in a year is not sufficient
schooling for the children of q country
whose institutions live on the intelligence
of her citizens. Go into any portion of
this county and write down the COM
plants urged against one thing-the
shortncss of the school term. Your man.
uscript would be a choice guide for some
statesmen at Washington, and would con-
tain gems of iron English for cowardly
congressional committees. ! say, without
fear of contradiction, that n~ineteen-twen-
tieths of the voters of this county favor
the Blair bill, and would vote fer it to-
morrow were the opportunity offered.
Judge S. j. kirkpatrick of Jonesboro
! was asked to state his views on national
aid to education. He said he was a
Democrat, q sky-blue, States rights
Democrat, but that he heartily Endorsed
this movement to aid the schools and re-
move illiteracy. He could see nothing
detrimental 10 the country in building up
the common schools. The Judge said
Washington county favors the Blair bill
almost unanimously.
Hon. Walter p. Brownlow, q leading
politician Of this district, has advocated
the bill from Its incipiency. As one high
in the councils of his party-Republican
-ho processes to know the sentiments of
the rank and file on the leading questions
of the day. He says the Republican par
ty of Washington county and upper East
Tennessee is enthusiastic in the support
of this bill.
/ recently met Prof. Watson of the
normal department OF Washington col.
lege, and in the course OF q conversation
IN various educational topics he ably ar
gued the merits and utility of national
aid to education, as embodied in the
Blair bill. Prof. Watson has an expe-
rience of twenty years in teaching. He
has taught in the common schools of va.
rlous States, in colleges, has conducted
State normals and institutes, and during
this varied service of twenty years he has
investigated the common school systems
Of M country. Scarcity Of funds he des-
ignates the major drawback in the States
which the present bill is destined to ben
eft.
Prof. Chas. Mason Of the J~onesboro
Graded school champions the movement
TO furnish our common schools with the
sinews of war. After all, the true teach
or should have the most potent voice in
regard TO school legislation. He is q
worker In the field and knows where the
Legislative pillow is most needed. He is
not q greedy parsonage, seeking to weight
his patrons with CALLING burdens for his
own gain. The well-being of q vast
youthlul army 10 very HcuI MS ncuTt, tne
progress of civilization finds in him n
foot on which to stand; the survival Of
liberty In the land of the free and home
of the brave" is uppermost in his mind
with all Of these in his nightly dreams
and daily thoughts, can we ignore his
councils relative to the needs Of our
schools
II yellow fever is to be investigated
sanitary regulations adopted or some
dread disease prevented from alighting on
our shores, medical men have the partic.
ular work in charge and their mandates
IRE controverted nowhere. When the SUI.
premc bench of u State Is to be elected,
the legal gentlemen of each party right
fully assert their fitness over the masses
In naming the nominations. The physi
clan is monarch in his sphere. the lawyer
In his and the teacher should be in his.
r. L. PATTON.