The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-03
Encourage the Public schools,

Encourage the Public SCHOOLS.
The discussion Of the Alexander educa-
tional bill in the House a day o. two ago
showed very pla My that there is much
stronger feeling in the legislature than ever
before in favor Of a good system OF Ploho
eduration. The members Of the leg stature
express the seatims ITS Of their c1lsItueat5
when they speak in favor Of improving the
public schools.
The Alexander bill is not entirely slti5-
factory to sons members Of the legislature,
because they think that if 1t were to be-
come a law the blacks would take ad-
vantage Of it in counties in which they are
largely in the majority. and i'm pose heavier
burdens upon the whites, who pay about
all the taxes, than they could bear. There
is not much reason, however, to fss- any
thing Of that X I'd. The bill provides that
counties may levy additional taxes for
ojlpurposes, provided that two-th!rds
of the whole number Of qlalifel votes
sanction sue a levy. Before an election
can be Ia ell in any county, however, two
grani juries must favor it and fifty freq
holders must petition for il. These 20
visions wouli seem to afford the whites in
the black counties all the protection they
need.
The Alexander bill might be so amended
as to overcoms the obje ;tions TO it that
have been raisei. l. there ara counties
which desirs better educ ltiolal advantages
thanare provide by the state the way for
obtaining them should oe opsnel. Tee leg
islature could not afford t) enact a law for
each county. II it enc s any Law on the
subject the law must nee sssariiy bs a gel-
eral one. The educational com mites re-
ported the Alexander bill favorably. No
doubt it gave it very care III and thorough
consideration. Still, it might be amended
50 that the whites of tls black cou lties
would not be in danger OF being too heavily
hardened.
The blacks are beginning to appreciate
the pubic schools, but they d. not yet ap-
PROBATE them sufficiently to be willing TO
helpsupp ,rt them. They want their children
to have the benefit OF tn em, but they d, not
deny the nselves in any respect in order
that they may make the schools bstter. 1t is
mistake TO say that they are to poor to do
so, II they were to give 10 per cent. of
what they spend for intoxicating liquors
it would be possible to keep the schools open
several months more eacn year.
1t is gratifying that the sentiment in
favor of better public school system is
steadily becoming stronger throughout the
state. With larger intelligence will come
happier homes, thriftier population, bet
ter methods of farming, more produc i've
farms, and condition of affairs in every
respect more desirable. When the public
schools are made what they ought to be i
Will not be necessary to invite inning alto !.
II viii come of its own accord. The immi-
grants will be of the kind that is wanted.
They will come from the less favored states,
and they will bring the means vita the
to assist in building up the communities in
which they settle.
In the debate on the Alexander bill alton
ton was directed to the school system of
Florida. The system there is an admirable
one, and it has been one OF the chief agen-
cies in making the state prosperous. Care
is taken to build attractive school houses
and to get capable teachers. There i; no
reason why Georgia schools should not be
as good as those of Florida The legisla ure
should encourage common school education
in every possible way. it could make no
greater mistake than to fail e. do so.