Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-01-15

1870 w 8SHNANA "FNtoPAlatluut ny
law, from the treasury or otherwise,
TO be used by the State in the same
manner as the money received into the
State from the ordinary sources Of
revenue" 1t was further provided
that eight per cent interest should be
paid on this fund, to he distributed
semi-annuaily among the counties en-
titled thereto, for the support of
schools therein. This act was contin-
ued in force by an act approved Feb
ruary both, 1857, (acts 1867, p. 39l)
and a strict observance of all its pro-
visions directed.
The principal Of this fund now ag-
gregates $8l6,6l5.71, on which the
State annually pays at eight per cent,
interest to the amount OF s65,329.25.
Having ample power to pursue
either course it may elect, it is now for
the Legislature to determine whether
this excessive interest shall be reduced,
or the principal paid and invested in
securities OF the United States or other
good securities for the benefit of those
entitled thereto. The State may adopt
either plan. 1t may, by an act of the
Legislature, reduce the present rate Of
interest to four per cent, which would
be a fair and equitable rate; or it may
raise the principal of the fund by the
issuance of four per cent bonds and
invest it in other securities. 1t is the
same to the State in either event, but
it would be more advantageous to the
Chickasaw counties for the State to re-
duce the interest to four per cent and
retain the fund, for negotiable four per
cent securities cannot be purchased in
the money centers of the world except
at a premium. But whatever method
of accomplishing the object may be
adopted, the duty Of the Legislature to
reduce this interest in some way to a
reasonable rate is clear. A generation
has passed away since the debt was in
CURED. The State has already, at eight
per cent, paid nearly $l,500,000 in in
terest. During this period money has
become much cheaper, and almost
every State and government, except
Mississippi, has so changed the form of
its Indebtedness as to take advantage
OF this cheapness. We must o do
likewise if we would not neglect ordi-
nary business principles, and utterly
disregard theinterests Of the people.
1t may be fairly assumed that the
cause of
EDUCATION
is prospecting in Mississippi. More
than fifty years ago the constitution
adopted for the government of the
people Of the State declared that ere
ligion, morality and knowledge being
necessary to good government, the
preservation of liberty, and the happi-
ness of mankind, schools and the
means of education shall forever be
encouraged in this State"
This fundamental provision, adopt
ed by those who spoke for themselves
and posterity, is thoroughly endorsed
by the people of this day. 1t is a
source of no little qualification to be
able to state that the " common school
system" is in a healthier condition.
and that the complicated machinery
of the department is working more
smoothly and satisfactorily than at
any previous time in its history. Ny
information from various sources sat-
isles me that the interest in favor Of
our system Of public education, as es-
tablished and maintained by law, is
steadily increasing and assuming a
more intelligence and well. defned form
of action.
l am led to believe that the teaching
force OF our schools, though improv-
ing some, is, as a whole, very inefficient.
Ii would De better to reduce the mum
Der OF schools and employ more COM
petent and efficient teachers. In many
OF the counties there are more schools
than are necessary to carry out that
clause of the constitution requiring
That adequate school facilities snail be
furnished to all the educable youth of
the State. | learn from the able School
Superintendent, General Smith. that
the attendance of 1884, was largely in
excess of that of any previous year,
and Will, he supposes, be greater for
the year 1885. Especially is this in
crease marked among the colored peo-
pie, showing more attention and con-
Germ about the education of their chill
dren than manifested heretofore. It
may be truthfnlly said that the educa-
tlonal outlook of the State is hopeful
and the object of every one connected
with legislation should be to revise,
improve and perfect our school sys.
TEN.
Your efforts in this direction will
receive my hearty cooperation. The
able report of the State S~uperinten-
dent will advise you of the details of
his department.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
has been well attended during the past
two years, and has graduated a larger
number of young ladies and gentlemen
than usual. The co~-educatIon of the
sexes may yet be considered as an ex-
pertinent, but it is hoped that it will
prove successful. The young ladies
are found TO be the EQUALS nf the vonno