The South western news. (Dawson, GA.) 188?-1889, 1888-02-15
The Blair BN.
Ne,rs and Advcrtiser::1

unCOlStllutlulIaiJ 1lidb IL Is Tor the
benefit of the Negroes and that
it iscentralizing in its tendency.
The writer will not attempt a
discussion of the cJnstitutionality
OF the question. Arguments in its
favor have been made in the Uni
ted States Senate by Hon. A H
Garland, Hou. L G G Lamar, and
others of eminent ability. Forty
four members of this and former
Senates of the United States have
placed themselves on record in ia
vor OF the bill.
The limit of this article prevents
reply to the other criticisms, ex-
cept by a very briet statement OF
what the measure actually does
provide; subject on which most
people have had but little Qppor>
tunity OF informing themselves, H.
the first place, it provides for the
distribution of a portion Of the
large surplus now in the United
States Treasury among the States
on the basis of illiteraey. This
would give the Southern States by
far the greater part Of the money,
and would give Georgia more than
any State of the Union. Tie censr s
of 1880 shows that there are in
Georgia 12S,000 white persons
over ten years of age, and 392, 900
colored persona over ten years Of
age who cannot write their name,
making a total OF $4,000, about
one,third of the entire population
Hence this State would get nearly
81. 600. 600 the first year as a free
return from the genaral govern
ment of what has been taken from
the whole county IN the shape o
Federaltax. and is now lying id!
in the Treasury.
The bill provides that the mon
ey shall be given to each State, t.
be distributed just as the none,
raised by the State for educational
purposes is now distributed TIL
State educational authorities woult
receive Georgia's share and send i
to the counties, Esng the same basi
of distribution that is low used il
apportiOning the amount raised by
her own taxes for this purpose
Mr.. Welch would receive tina
part intended for Dougherty coun
ty, and would disburse it Just a
the county Board of Education
should direct. He would have t,
report to no one but the count,
Board of Education at the Stat
School Commissioner, making tn,
same report that he is now requir
ed by law to make. No Fedora
officer would have any connection
whatever with the outlay of tn
money except in sending it to tn,
State from the National Treasury
Nc Federal officer would have tn
remotest connection with the EN-
plOyment of teachers. The entir
matter would rest just where tn
States own laws now place the con
troll of public schools. The bill
provides that whites and black
shall share in this fund, and n
State would be allowed to receiv
the money that would appropr
ate it exclusively to either race
nor would any State be compelle
to take it. The manner of qppro
priating the money to the ditferer
schools would be the same as tina
now in use, and the laws of suppl
and demand would regulate tn
prices paid for the work done. TIL
Negaoes would get the same pro
portionate part of this appropria
ton that they now receive fror
the State fund. and no more an
no less.
Last year Dougherty county re
ceived $500 as her share of tn
public school fund. IF the Blai
bill had been a law she would hay
had nearly $40, 900, and not on
cent would have been taken fro,
the pockets of the people to brin
in this large additional sum, an
his money would have all beer
spent in Albany by the teachers
the county, If the Blair bill pas
es Congress, there will be enong
money in the public school fun
for this county to support min
months schools in this city for a