The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-05-29
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

aid on this important subject. l
will, however, impress upon YOU the
necessity OF devislng some plan by
which the public school system can
Dc placed within the reach of all
children, so that education may be
to the humblest aud poor
Est. 1t is II duty 10 foster aud
encourage our public school system
and to lesislate for its maintenance
aud protection.
The State should interfere as lit
tie as possible with the economy CT
the family and its right TO direct
the education of its members, but
the government must project itself,
and i'll the duty aud authority to
require enforced attendance on pub
lie schools the State has il right to
intervene for It's own protection.
The ignorant MAJ as Il voter Is as
powerful us the most learned. The
people are sovereign and every rea
son dictates that the voter should
be fitted to fulfill the duties OF citi
zenship. | have heretofore had oc
casion TO say that n~Osuccessful com
mon school system can be adopted
without facing the "hard fact OF 10
Cal taxation" In this way tue
school Is brought directly under the
coutlol of the community in which
it exists, which will necessarily be
come interested In the school aud
can see the direct beneficial appllca
ton OF the fund raised Tor the sup
port of tue school in that particular
locality.
leatnestly recommend that IL con
stitutional amendment be submit
ted to the people permitting each
school locality TO levy a tax to sup
port the schools in that particular
locality, aud the enactment OF a
law SO framed that the schools in
each ward or district by election
are provided with board OF direc
tors to look after the Interests o.
the schools, and the disoursemep,
of the funds So raised, and to select
teachers properly provided will
certificates OF competency from The
Superintendent of Public Educs
ton.
A thorough system of public edit
cation, accompanied by industrial
training, is what is needed in thi'
State, together with Tree distrib'
ton ut uniform text books, IT tn
revenues of the State will %iustit.
the expenditure. q
Since your last sessiCn'theIe ha
been an increased interest i'll educ
ton. The citizens of LOuisiau
have, within the past few years
evinced more interest in this ma
ter than ever before in the hiSrOr,
. of the State. Much good has bee
accomplished through the Stat
r Educational Society. l trust thu
this public sentiment may Ieceiv
encouragement through Legislation
' aud that everything that the
sources of the State will justi1
a Will be done in furtherance of tn
+, great interest.
The above Is found in the Gov
= nor's message to the Legislatu
= in session.
4 Everything the Executive sa
= is correct. To acquire funds
' keep up the schools longer th;
is now done should be offered
:, the people. The plan of allowil
each school district the privilege
voting a tax to aid in the educati
of 1.-THE children in the respecti
districts appears 10 be a good OF
~ at first glance. but whilst it Won
operate we'll in some parts of L
isiana it is very doubtful if it wOr
, accomplish the purpose desired
the sugar growing parishes.
~ There would he districts own
~ almost entirely by wealthy perso
!. and but few children there, WI
80 other districts with many childr'
would be able to pay but little t;
Parishes ought 20 be allowed
=, vote taxes for school purposes, u
distribute the funds so raised eq
~ among the educable children
the Parish.
Lafourche already assesses fir
to