National Republican., 1888-02-23
A SOLID ARGUMENT.
Prof Lovett, of Alabama, Talks Facts
to n House Committee.


The House committee on education held
short session yesterday morning and gave
hearing TO an earnest advocate OF the edu-
cational blll-Prof. D.. A. b. Lovett, Of
Alabama. The professors remarks we're
well received and can hardly fail TO have
considerable weight with members of the
committee. Prof. Lovett 50 i'd
Mr.. CnAiRMAN: ] do not como before this
committee pretending 20 have discovered any
new facts concerning the measure OF federal
aid 10 education. Statistics from the highest
authority have been placed before Congress
and the whole country In which have been
mirrored the educational condition of every
section OF the union. From these statistics we
find that some sections of our country are
more highly favored educationally than
others, and from our knowledge OF the results
OF the late war, which so thoroughly desolated
the southern states, and left in them such an
enormous colored population, we know that
these states are not on an equal footing with
other sections.
do firmly believe that the southern states,
with their vast population OF colored people,
are not able at present to educate the masses
of their youth as contemplated by our form OF
government. ] believe further, that the
southern states have done, and that they are
now doing, all that could reasonably be eX-
pected OF them for the cause of public educa
tion. The state OF Alabama devotes one.third
Of her revenue to public education, and still
she ia unable to cot the educational demands
only sixty days IN the year, and the average
salaries OF teachers Is only about S2l per
month; This condition of things, no doubt, is
quite the same in all the southern states.
IL we could but put check upon our IL.
literacy with our meager school advantages
the situation would be more hopeful; but when
population is constantly diminishing our per
capita 0pportionment and that illiteracy Is
rapidly increasing under our struggling efforts,
the outlook is simply appalling.
Believing the southern DpOple to he largely
favorable TO federal aid to education, regard
the opposition urged by representatives. from
the south us being most unfortunate. Being
in position to know Bu9h Of the feelings OF
our people on this question, do not hesitate
TO say that, in my candid opinion, at least
three iourths of the voting population of the
south favor the Blair bill. TO substantlate
the statements refer TO my own state, Ala
bama, as an illustration. During the past year
state, and in view OF my present visit to WASH
ingtOn, gatht red the facts upon which the
above opinions are Dased and, besides this,
the present governor secretary Of state. and
superintendent Of education of Alabama were
| all elected with overwhelming malorities at
our last state election, and all of these gentle.
men are outspoken for the Blair bill. Now,
add TO the above the fact that at our last ses
sion OF the Alabama legislature resolution
| was adopted strongly iDdorsing the measure
| of federal aid to education, and asking our
| representatives in Congress to vote for the
| bill, and you will have q fair idea as 10 the
| real feeling OF our people on this question.
| The other southern states are not unlike
| Alabama in regard to this measure. and,
| therefore, ] feel safe in asserting that our
| northern friends, some of them, are greatly
| mised when they conclude that our southern
| opposition is an expression of the wants OF the
| whole people. II has been stated by some of
| our northern educators that the rapid pros
| perity Of the south has placed that section be-
| yond the the necessity of federal assistance.
| Now, TO what extent this southern develop
| ment will eventually prove beneficial to the
| rural schools of the south ! am unable to
| predict, but this one thing do know: The ir-
| gathering OF southern wealth, ut present, is
| confined almost wholly to the magic cities of
| the south, ard hence the country districts feel
| but little its influence. We may safely cal
| culate that IL will yet be many years before
| the booming south will lend a booming force
to the pubic education outside the thriving
| cities.
| IN concluding these remarks, to which You
| have kindly listened, beg to state that the
| trends of the federal aid bill in my section
| think that gross injustice was perpetrated by
| the educational committee at the last session
| Of Congress. That committee WIRE charged
| with "smothering" the educational bill wne..
| II was committed to their hands. The friends
| ofpublic education are encouraged to hope
| that the bill now referred to this committee
| will share better fate. And We appeal TO You,
| gentlemen, that you report this bill to the
| House in some shape, and II 1t should tdR in the
| House, the people Will be better satisfied than
TO think that unfairness had been done them.