The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1889-07-17
The School Question Again.

The School Question Again.
Mr.. Editor: Your comments
upon my position on the education,
alqucstion are calculated to leave
none of your readers in doubt as to
your own views on this important
matter, and but for the tact that
you lett 1t to be inferred that | am
"squarely i'll the fight Tor Dir. Eel
toms higher education scheme"
would not again seek to occupy
your valuable space. l feel IN.
der obligations tor your prompt
and courteous support of Cuthr ert's
Branch Co lcgc in i sclaims, under
the existing state of things, and
while the typos made havoc lin
one or two instances) of my words,
| attribute it all TO my poor writ>
Ing nd oh erhll'y bear witness to
the broad liberality manifested by
you III the ublication of my com
AiunIcdiiou. | now beg that may
not be considered as abusing your
courtesy IN again appearing upon
The same subject.
| find DIR. Felton's bill burder.
ed with unwise provisions until il
Is absolutely Objectionable, and
should not, in its present shape, re
celve The sanction Of our law max.
ing powers.
The great object of the bill pur>
ports to tie the advancement Of
eduration-especialiy higher edu-
cation = throughout the state, yet
it seeks to adopt ds a criterion tol
our need in educational institutions
the arbitrary lines of the tea sew
eral congressional districts, regard,
less OF the fact that the state will
very Don have to he redistricted
and ignoring the possibility, under
this plan, of crowding two or three,
ana even more branch colleges, into
a very small section, thus leaving
large tracts Of the state absolutely
barren of such facilities.
The bill would set aside large
sum to be appropriated to "schol,
arships. 1t always appears to me
Dad policy to scatter, unnecessarily,
any funds intended to be used fol
the permanent good of mankind,
and to let out in small driblets the
states fund for educational pur,
poses 50 that It will be practically
uufelt as against the solid field OF
illiteracy in Georgia, would seem
to be exceptionally unwise.
| would concentrate this sum,
and in lump empty it into the
common school basket.
The bill is Objectionable in this
also, that it seeks to devote too
much money to the University al
| Athens, more than can be wisely
and wei used tor the Legitimate
wants of the institution. would
reduce the sum to the lowest eff
Gent working amount, and thu
balance | would also give to thu
common school fund.
1t is very unfair, not to say
unkind, to insinuate that the friend
Of higher education are willing t,
cripple the prospect of aid for the
common schools Of the country
In no sense do they oppose liberia
provision for these schools, but they
20 further and contend that the
state that is able to build million
dollar capitol is also able to dc
something to prevent her laws al
being made by tie rich and for thu
rich, by giving to all her SON
equal opportunities to become
statesmen, and thus participate il
their enactment.
Your editorial is tor education
for the people, as opposed to high
er education. 1t is for the people
my people, my own boys aud girli
| plead, that they may have a
least equal advantages to thos'
northern natics and enemies t.
our race are placing within tn,
reach of the young negroes of thu
state. ShalFI not, then, urge upol
the legislature to grasp this whole
matter, nor rest until every DO,
and girl in the slate, however hum
BILE and poor, may proudly ex lain
| am a Georgian, and Georgi;
does not forbid me her high places
by keeping the good things provid
ed IN the colleges and universitie
of the world out Of my reach, anC
even the baretooted urchin run
ming loose on the streets may safely
count on being fitted Gf he only
wills it) to sit in the council of thu
state, amidst the splendor of oul
new capitol.
Most earnestly do | hope thu
good sense of our legislators vii
be utilized in perfecting the Feltor
bill, and then, that their patriot
: ism and wisdom will be shown by it
enactment into law, at as early 4;
day as possible, that Georgia may
at once commence the gigantic
strides she is sure to make in ma
terial advancement whenever it be
comes her fxea policy to educate
in the fullest sense of the term, hel
youth of both sexes.
1t is pure bosh, that we are toe
poor to commence this great work
The good people of Dawson see and
appreciate the situation at theil
own doors,and no doubt like wise
patriotic men will prove equal tc
| fb.o G.-