The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-04-03

may nOt De Tlcn ID ILLS WOrlO
goods but he is rich in that which i:
far better; rich in knowing he has
done his duty; rich in the knowl
edge that the world has been bene
fitted by his having lived in it; ricE
in the satisfaction that comes from
having helped his fellow man wher
in need; rich in the fact that life is
made up Of little upon little, unit
the end comes, each act being justly
rewarded, nothing is lost. Even s
cup of cold water, properly given,
will not lose its reward.
My friends it is grand and glori'
GUS thing to live, but there is con-
dition attached to life. We must
live right. We must do our duty.
There is something for every man tc
do, and in order to know what it is,
he must learn; he must be educated
50 that he may know what his duty
is, aud education costs money.
Money never has been and never
will be more wisely expended than
when used in obtaining an educa-
ton. Education is useful as long as
life lasts. 1t cannot be lost or given
away; neither can it be stolen.
Education has been prominently
before the people of the United
States for the past ten years. 1t has
been discussed by the ablest OF the
leading men in our nation. Men OF
high literary attainments; of deep,
profound learning, of original ideas,
who think for themselves, searching
for the truth, and never rest until il
is found. Men who are willing and
anxious to use one hundred million
dollars of government money to ed
ucate the children who are our coun-
try's growing citizens. They realize
that the safety of our free institu-
tons is largely dependent upon the
intelligence of the masses of our cit
liens.
1t has been for many years and
still is the wise and cherished policy
of our national government, to edu-
cate her children through the medi-
um of public schools. This is right
just as it ought to be, for in few
more years the children Of to-day
will be our country's rulers and
surely they ought to be prepared to
rule with justice and economy to
the ruled; prepared to rule with
credit to themselves and with honor
to our country.
Our Police Jury is composed Of
the best of our representative men,
who know their duty and are willing
to perform it. They have done well.
They have increased our school tax
one mill on the dollar. Let them do
better by increasing our school tax
one-half mill more giving two and
one-half mills on the dollar for
school purposes. Do not mistake
my meaning. / do not want our
taxes increased, but do want a lar
ger percentage of the taxes that are
collected. devoted to educational
purposes. This can be done without
placing any additional burthen upon
our people and without material in
jury to any interest, and then we can
and will have good schools in every
neighborhood in our parish ten
months in each year. The school
directors of this parish will do in the
future as they have in the past all
they can to increase the efficiency OF
our public schools. The reputation
OF our schools are now second to
none of the country parishes in our
State, and the credit of making them
what they are, justly belongs to the
steady, persistent efforts of our
teachers to continually improve
upon all their past work. 1t is with
pleasure we extend our thanks to the
teachers who have so faithfully and
SO nobly performed their duties in
their school rooms.
Before closing l will read the sta
tistical report of seven important
cities of the United States, showing
how much they pay on the dollar for
school purposes: BROOKLYN, 5.31
mills; Chicago, 1908; Cincinnati,
A; Columbus, 60; Cleveland,
Al Nashville, 80; Milwaukee, SO.
Rapides Parish gives two mills on
the dollar, of assessed value, for ed
ucation, which is 514 per cent. of the
least amount, and 1919 Of the larg.
est amount given by any Of the
cities nsmed. Chicago gives little
over FIVE times as much as Rapides.
The figures tell all that need to be
told. No comment on them is nee
essary.
hope you will pardon nue. for
using so much of your time. My
excuse for the length of remarks is
my interest in, and the Importance
of, the subject that is before us.
Ladies, your presence gives us
much encouragement in our efforts
to increase our educational facilities.
Woman was Gods last, best and
noblest gift to man, and to her influ-
ence and assistance we must look
for help to elevate the human race.
After which Prof. Calvit took
charge as Manager of the Institute,