Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-06-05

II
vention throughout. The majority
by which the ticket will be carried in
August will depend largely upon the
harmonious action of the convention.
WHYWE OPPOSE THE BLAIR BILL.
We have been requested to give a
reason for our faith, or rather want of
faith in the Blair Bill, by publishing
the sections of the bill upon which we
base our objections to the measure.
The bill provides for the distribution
Of from five to fifteen million dollars
year, for eight years, among the
States, in proportion to illiteracy, the
total distribution amounting in the
aggregate to $77,0OO,0OO. Owing to
the large negro population of the
South, the majority of whom are illit-
crate, about four-fifth of the money
would come to the South. So far we
would say very good, but then comes
the conditions, which we can't swal-
low. To begin with the States are
required to accept the provisions Of
the act by bill or resolution of the
Legislature before such State can re-
ceive any money from the fund. Any
State falling or refusing to do this, its
share is prorated among the States
that do comply with the, provisions.
The bill further provides as follows ::
"Sec. 4. That no State or Territory
shall receive any money under this
act until the Governor thereof shall
file with the Secretary of the Interior
q statement, certified by him, show
ing the common school system in
force in such State Or. Territory, the
amount Of money expended therein
during the last preceding school year
in support of common schools, not in
Guiding expenditures for rent, repair
or erection of school houses, whether
any discrimination is made in the
raising or distributing of common
school revenues or in the common
school facilities afforded between the
white and colored therein, and so far
as is practicable the sources from
which such revenues were derived,
the manner in which the same were
apportioned to the use of the common
schools, the number of white and col
ored children between the ages of 10
and q years both inclusive, as given
by the census of 1880, and the number
of school children white and colored
of the school age attending school,
the number of schools in operation in
each county or city, the school term,
the number of teachers and the aver
age compensation paid them and the
average attendance. No money shall
be paid out under this act to any
State or Territory that shall not have
provided by law a system of free COM
mon schools for all of its children OF
school age, without distinction of race
and color in the raising or distributing
of school revenues or in the school ia.
cilities afforded. Provided that sepa,
rate schools for white and colored
children shall not be considered a VIC,
lation of this condition"
Any money appropriated from the
Federal treasury for common school
purposes, must be simply and abso
lutely a gift to the States, or in pay
ment of a just debt. No gift can be
acceptable if hampered by a lot of rec
tape conditions of acceptance and pro
visions of use or disposition, and 1,
the General Government sees fit tt
make the States a present of this
money, it is very niggardly policy
to require them to show up all the
minutia of their public school systems
If the Government, on any grounds
of justice, owes this money to the
South, it simply ought to pay it with
out asking any questions, and it il
none of Uncle Sans business how
many schools, pupils or teachers we
have. .4s gEHr .fs -r ''e
The bill dictates certain branches
which shall be included in the course
of instruction, and provides that
copies of all school books shall bt
filed with the Secretary of the Int
rior. (Uncle Sam wants gigantic
school book library, or second hanG
book store). i
Section provides that no State
shall receive more of this money thar
it expends out of its own revenues
for common school purposes.
The bill further reads:
Sec. ~. That no second subsequent
allotment shall be made under this
act to any State or Territory, unless
the Governor of such State or Terri
tory, shall first file with the Secretary
of the Interior statement, certified
by him, giving a detailed account o
the payments or disbursements made
of the school fund apportioned to his
State or Territory, and received BY
his State or Territorial treasurer OF
officer under this act, and of the bal
ance in the hands Of such treasurer o.