The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-01-26
The Blair Bill.


GlNIAN the Blair Educational Bill, as it
is before Congress at this time. We do
this for the information of our readers,
for we do not think we have ever seen it in
any Virginia paper, in ertenso. Ii those
of onr subscribers and readers who feel an
interest in the subject to which it re-
lates-and every well-wisher Of commu-
nifty should-would read it carefully and
lay it aside for convenient reference, they
would estop the reckless talk of some who
have made it business to distort its
meaning, misstate its provisions, and as
sail its economy. 1t is practically mat
ter of interest to the people of Virginia
at this time, as we are about entering
upon an election campaign for the control
of the Executive and Legislative branches
of the national government.
The measure has twice passed a Repub-
lican Senate and AS often been sup
pressed in a Democratic House. 1t will
again pass the Republican Senate and again
meet it's former fate, if the construction
of the House Committee shat will have
control of it. is an indication. 1t is known
that Mr.. Carlisle is hostile to the bill, yet
he was elected Speaker by the unanimous
vote of the Democrats in Congress. 1t was
known when he was last elected, that the
Committee of the preceding Congress
was inimical to it, yet, without any con-
cessions from him, every Virginia Demo
cTat in Congress supported him for the
position. where he has the power to defeat
the measure again. 1t is believed, too,
should the bill get before Congress.
by any parliamentary adrOitness on the
part of its friends, and pass that body,
that the Democratic President would
veto it.
This hostility to the bill on the part of
the Democrats is ostensibly predicated
upon constitutional grounds. 1t is really
because the system of public schools is an
enemy to the Democratic party. for
wherever there is the larger degree Of en-
Hghtenment among the masses, there the
Democratic party is the weaker. There
is not man who urges the unconstitu-
tionaity of the bill, that does not know
there is nothing in that pretense. There
is not one of them who is sincere. if he is
informed. The whole history of the leg
fsation of Congress is a record against
any such assumption and nothing but the
exigencies of party and the fear of an en-
lightened constituency, is at the bottom
Ut the opposition to a measure of such far
reaching influence, general beneficence and
imperative demands.
We have so often advocated the meas
IRE and the policy it involves. that it
would be superfiuous here to repeat the
arguments. Our readers are familiar
with them. and are in perfect accord with
US as to the justice, the wisdom and the
economy of the legislation. 1t would be
but partial justice to Virginia. i'll re-
turn for the gift by her to the government
of the imperial N Northwestern domain. 1t
would be meagre justice to the whole
South in view of the impoverished condi-
tion of the Southern States and the edu
cational burdens placed upon them by rea-
son of the emancipation of the former
slaves. 1t is absolute cruelty to all classes
of citizens Of the South to have imposed
upon them the necessity of providing for
the vast number of illiterates of the school
age, which the census exposes, without
extending helping hand in the emergen-
cy. The sentiment of the North is in ia
yor of so doing. The Republican party,
with here and there an exception among
its members, has often and over again re-
solved In favor of it, and voted for it in
Congress. 1t would be untrue to it's his
tory and its mission, did it not earnestly
support measure that looks to the moral
and mental elevation and advancement of
the masses. Its most formidable enemy.
and to this time successful, is the Demo
cratic party. 1t has defeated it twice,
and we fear will do so again, and with
each defeat its hostility grows holder and
more intense. Here in Virginia the Or
ganiZatiOn will formally declare for it, and
proclaim its friendship from every street
corner, yet its representatives will vote in
Congress for Speaker who they know Will
suffocate the bill whenever it shows life
With Republican President and Republi-
can Congress, the measure would become
law, as soon as legislative formalities could
be observed for its enactment, and we fear
1t will never he recorded in the national
statute book until the Democratic party is
elected from power and the true interests
OF the people find representation and re-
fectiOn in Republican administration.
7 will no
4th page headed Iron and Steel Produc-
tion, that Notwithstanding the tariff of
SAT per ton on steel and $6.72 on pig iron.
we imported and consumed 100000 tons
Of steel and 100000 tons of iron. The
free traders. lead by the President, were
their policy carried out. would remit the
tariff on both steel and iron-open our
markets to the products of foreign cOun-
tries, shut down our own furnaces. close
the iron and coal mines, render compare
lively useless our coke industry, destroy
the home market for farm prod occa-
stoned by the employment of the opera
tives In these branches of trade, and give
the control of our markets to foreign
countries. Within six months after the
Inauguration of the free trade policy,
competition in this country would cease.
We would be at the mercy of the foreign
operators; prices would be regulated by
them. and we would find steel and iron
both advanced in price to suit the greed
of the foreign manufacturer. We could
not help ourselves. The balance of trade
j.. would be speedily marked up against US:
gold would flow out of this country, and
general business depression follow.
1t is strange deIusion that influences
American citizens to favor such an I'M
American policy as thai outlined in the
Presidents message and sustained by
nine-tenths of the Democratic party. To
give it practical application would bring
ruin upon the whole ind Istrial fabric of
this country-would arrest the progress
and development of the South, and es-
pecially Virginia, and turn go, 100000 PEG
pie, bound hand and foot. over to the ten
der regards of foreign capital and labor,
without the power to consult or deter
yp;no oc 70 opvfb ralatpd IN tho Suh-