The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-10-20
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS


THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
One of the popular themes OF some
of the republican orators is the munifi-
cent manner in which the public schools
of the state were supported during the
time the republican party was in power.
AS an evidence OF their generosity
and the magnificent manner in which
they really poured ont the treasure in
the cause of education | desire 10 call
your attention to the figures showing
the amount actually expended for the
support Of the public schools.
From the commencement of the year
1865 up to the end of 1872, period of
eight years, the amount expended for
school purposes by the republican
administration was 81 ,662 OLA IS. And,
gentlemen, during most of that time
you were paying state revenue tax of
40 cents on each 800 of the assessed
valuation of your property, or just
twice the amount which has been levied
and collected since 1875.
Under a democratic administration
from the beginning of the year 1878,
up to the present time, there has been
paid for the support of public schools
of the state, the sum of $8,925, 1881 72,
and during the last two years they
have received 81 ,527 ,766 81, or within
a few thousand dollars of the entire
amount expended upon them by the
republicans in eight years, and this,
gentlemen, with tax OF 70 cents on
each 800 of your assessed valuation,
or about one half the amount you paid
during the time the republican party
was building up the cause of education
in this grand commonwealth.
And, gentlemen, while | am on the
subject of public schools, want to say
that the school system of Missouri to-
day is not excelled by that of any state
in the union. And her permanent
school fund is the largest of any state
in the union except Texas, and if they
ever get republican legislature down
there to assist in disposing OF the lands
given them by congress, we may even
get at the top of the list.
ALL TREATED ALIKE.
We educate the white children of
this ate; we educated the colored
ones as well, aud our laws make the
same provisions for the one as for the
other. And when your county officials
make up the list of children of school
age for the purpose of getting your
portion of the school moneys, black
one counts as much as white one and
the same amount of money goes to
each.
Right here want to call the attention
of my colored hearers to the manner in
which they educate colored children in
Illinois. In order to satisfy the colored
people of the high esteem in which
they are held the republican Legislature
have provided that the colored children
shall have the same school privileges
and attend the same schools as the
whites, which looks very nice in tht
books, but what are the results. Tht
schools open and the children all star
to school and in nine cases out of tel
the teachers report that there are whit,
children enough to fill all the seats il
, the school house and the coiored one
are sent home and are thus practicall,
, deprived of any OF the benefits of th'
school system. Should an instance o
, this kind occur i'm this state the howl 0
, "Poor Old Missouri would be sound
ed from one and of the state to tn,
!. other, aud it would be characterized |
, rebel outrage without precedent i'll tn,
history of civilized government.
HIGHER EDUCATION.
In addition to the liberal donation
of the state, nnder democratic manage
meut, to the support OF the common
schools of our state, higher education
f has not been overlooked; the Stat
TIni x,arcittr nd 10 n
Columbia have been enlarged all,
handsomely supported; liberal supper
has been given to the School of Mine
and Metalurgy at Rolla; also to on
, three Normal Schools at Cape Girar
} dean, Warrensburg and Kirksville
> and large addition has been made t
Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City
This institution is devoted entirely I
the education of the colored citizens G
3 our state.
While upon the subject of education
| will say that since January l, 1878, t,
tho present time the permanent schoC
l fund of the state has been increase
8 from $2,624 1854 63 to So, 1856 ,OS1 "A
l the endowment fund OF the Stat
+ University and the Agricultural Farm
t from $l0S 700 TO $52S, 900.
t The democratic party has done all q
this since 1875, and more, it has built 8
/ St, 30. an excellent lunatic asylum 70
| our unfortunate insane; we have bui
t another splendid edifice for tho care {
< the same unfortunates at Nevada: W
5 have doubled the capacity of the Fulto
1 Lunatic Asylum; we have under con
struclion at this tune handsom
I addition to our StateCapitol at Jefferso
: City, reform hoUl for boys 6
Q Boonville, and like school for girls s
l Chillicothe.
STATE DEBT.
: When the democratic party came int
q power in the state of Missouri, acquir
, ing control of the Legislative an
4 executive branches of the government
\ the interest bearing debt of the stat
!. aggregated S2l, ,7SS, 900, which wa
h bearing 6 and z per cent. interes
!, Since then the democratic party hs
!. paid S,599, 900, leaving the debt to-da
at $l3, 3,1S9, ,009. Of this amount th
+ state owns and holds In trust for tn
n state school and seminary fund.-
v So, ,664 900. OF the entire debt o-da,
4 So, 800, 600 bears 6 per cent. interes
t S7,OOO,OO0 bears 81 per cent. Interest
@ and S633,000 8 per cent. interest; th
T. total annual interest now amounting
0 $6l0,010, which is $lSl,2 less tina
h the republican party on the sam
?. amount of Indebtedness. In this con
@ neGrion | desire TO call your speci,
n attention to the issne and sale of Ii
v 81 100000 during the present admins
= tration. These bonds bear 81 per cen
Y interest, and were issued and sold fo
q the purpose of redeeming maturing
n per cent bonds. The sum realize
e from this sale was 81 7,0S6,S2 43,
n premium of SS6, 1921 43 on Missouri
!. per cent. bonds issued under p demo
o cratic administration of the affairs
the state, whilst our per cent. bono
u were selling Oh january l, 1873, II
y inception OF democratic rule, at 81
5 cents on the doilar-7d cents below pa
10 Maze upon the conditions | have pr
d sented to you; gaze intently, and VIII
~ DO you see? You see that durin
y y radical misrule & per cent. beariI
- Gonds having twenty years to ru
selling in the markets of the countl
Tor q cents less than their face valu
aud they never, at any time prior
1878, brought more than this. VIII
If do you see further after clos2 scrutiI
e and tue democracy is in tho saddle
r. You see a 81 per cent. interest-bearir
10 bond with only five years to run sellir
:, at 81 024 on the dollar, and none ev'
10 known TO sell below par.
My ,nnntoIInnn I will nnf fnrt In