The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-17
Shocking Condition of that States Alleged
Public-School System


Madisanyille Letter. in Chicago Inter Ocean.
am in this State for the purpose of investi-
eating the common-school system. The results
of my investigation are SO surprising and aston
ishng to me, that have thought your readers
should know them. [ have been in business
more or less connected with education ali my
life. and have taken pains to question Ken
tuckians whom have met out of the State. at
the various educational meetings, with regard
to the common schools of their State. Their
high flown rhetoric deceived me utterly
Buncombe is the order here, and the
common schools don't escape it, You see by
the Enclosed slip from the Courier-Journal OF
JAM that the good people of Kentucky on the
10th of February. 1885, celebrate the semi
tennial of the organization of common schools.
To compare the forid rhetoric of that occasion
with facts as they exist, would be enough to
make wooden man tired.
What are the facts2 In the first place the
State a whole has done we'll for the common
schools. The permanent school fund consists
OF ST. 1877 900, received from the United States in
1886. and about $40, 600 of bank stock. Besides
the State levies tax of % cents on each 800.
This gives, this year, ST. 90 for each child of
school age in the State
What do the people dol Nothing Notwith-
standing the liberal provisions made by the
State. if there be public school in the State of
kentucky l have not found it. There is no
such thing as common school system, except
in some cities and towns and they are governed
by special charters. The way the teachers are
hired is peculiar. They agree to teach SO many
months for the "draw"-thats what they call
the public money down herewith the privilege
of getting much as they can from the people
by subscription, donation or otherwise. Tho
draw" will give them from S. to $l5 per month.
1t they get any more salary they have to work
for it. Of course some of them receive three or
four times much from subscription. donation.
ETC., they do from the draw" and some do
not. 1t depends on how well they rus tle."
When the school is half out the teacher comes
to the superintendent and the superintendent
pays him 40 per cent OF the draw" When
the school is out he gets the other 60 per
cent. If during the progress of the school fuel
is dad tab lint inn
from the children, or some one of the patrons of
the school volunteers to bring a load of wood or
coal, and then bis children claim the privilege
OF having the best seat near the fire.
The best example of these Inonerel public
schools that have been in is at Darlington.
Hopkins county. Darlington is a mining town
of 800 people. The school building is I'M
painted frame with two rooms The inside is
the school-room of forty years ago. The coal
company has employed two teachers to teach
this school for nine months and pays them
monthly. To assist, the company takes the
'draw." The "draw" would support a school of
two rooms for 1000 people three or four months.
The St. Bernard Coal Company supply the bal
ance. In addition, however. the pupils bring 5
cents per week to the teachers to pay incidental
expenses.
As said before this is the best school, pre-
tending to be a public school, that have seen.
1t is conducted by Miss Mason and Miss Doris,
two bright and intelligent Kentucky ladies. In
grace and beauty these ladies are second TO none
that have seen, yet they could learn much il
they would visit schools that | have visited,
taught III sod school houses IN western Kansas
and Nebraska.
s&But this school is an exception While not
a public school, and while its very existence
depends upon the will of the st. Bernard Coal
Company, il is doing great good
But what about the public schools in the
countryl They nil. Don't understand
me say that there good schools
do not say it. But do say that these good
schools made in spite Of the school system
of the State, and not in consequence of It Take
for example. and an illustration. district No.
10. of this county. A number of Influential and
wealthy gentlemen have determined to have
school-not public school Accordingly they
say the trustees, ssIf you will let Mr. Jones
have the draw we will contribute much to the
support of the school," The trustees agree to
it. and Mr.. Jones taks the school, aud with the
support of the gentlemen before mentioned, Mr..
Jones builds up good school. But this Is not
public school. It il more precarious than the
old subscription method Too many cooks.
partly under law and partly under popular favor.
Partly controlled by the trustees. and partly by
the men who have paid their money. The evils
of the plan need not be described. There Is no
system about it. It would be better, IN my
judgment for the whole school system of the
State 10 be abolished and thrown into chaos
From the ruins something might arise that
would meet the wants of great State ike Ken
tucky. As IL is. the school system OF Kentucky
Is fraud. q deluslon and snare
Those who have money, and who desire TO
send their children to the private schools, OBJ
tain for them fair education Those who have
money get nothing Are the poor people
edueareda | answer. MOI
A gentleman who occupies high position on
the L. 81 y. railroad told me last night that ont