The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-04
A TALK ON EDUCATION.
JUDGE HOOK GIVEN A WARM
WELCOME AT wAYCRoss.

A Drive About the City and Lunch
con as Forerunners of the Speech
Making-He Puts in a Good Word
for the Blair Bill and Points Out the
Good it Would Work.
WAYCRoss. GA, Dec 3.-Judge J. 8.
Hook, state school commissioner, upon in
vitation of Capt H. w. Reed, president OF
the board of education, reached Waycross
to-day. He was met by reception COM
mittee from the city council. board Of edu-
ucation and citizens They visited the
white and colored public schools, inspecting
the work in the different grades and wit
Messing some special exercises, all of which
were good and in keeping with the splendid
system organized by Prof. J.. d. Croft, the
efficient superintendent, and fine set of
teachers. At 3 o'clock luncheon was served
to the distinguished guest of the city and
the commissioners.
AFTER DINNER SPEECHES.
Several enjoyable after dinner speeches
were made by prominent citizens. The
banquet closed with one of Judge Hooks
beautiful extempore speeches, for which he
is noted. The carriage drive over the grow
ing city revealed TO the strangers its rapid
growth and prosperity. Col. j. L. Sweat
made happy introductory speech in honor
of the distinguished guest. Judge Hook
complimented Waycross upon its general
growth and prosperity, and spoke enthusi-
astically Of the white and col lred schools,
complimenting both very highly. He re-
viewed the history OF the state since the war
and spoke appreciatively OF the conduct Of
the coored people and their fidelity to their
former masters. He said Georgia has done
nobly since the war in the education of its
colored citizens.
DEMAGoGUEs REBUKED.
He gave a scathing rebuke to dema-
gogues, and said that educated labor would
solve the race problem il this subject was
left alone by meddling colored and white
demagogues He said the last legislature
would long be respected for their progress
sive legislation upon the school question,
and making the first direct property tax
levy. He expressed great confidence
in the success of the farmers,
and believed in their speedy deliverance
from monopoly. He explained that
the law prevented the distribution of the
money. and hence he could not pay the
extra months salary to the teachers, as ex-
pected
TEACHERS FIRST LIEUTENANTs.
He called the teachers first lieutenants in
the army Of those winning men from igno-
rance and superstition TO life of right liv-
ing. He said that the teachers were next
TO the preachers In all movements of moral
ity and religion. He ridicued the evolu-
tion theory, and cautioned the people to
meet these and other questions agitating
the minds Of the people. de said we are
near the approach OF new eras OF great
changes and new and great responsible les
| of the near future. His advice TO tho coiored
people was wholesome and will do good.
THE BLAIR BILL.
He read In Mondays Telegraph an article
copied from tho Charleston NeiUs and Cott-
rier upon the Blair bill, criticising it AMI
censuring the misapprehensions IL contained
toward the south. He explained and adj
vocated the merits Of the Blair bill emphati-
cally. He said that this bill would have
passed under President Cleveland II the
democratic house had voted favorahly upon
it. The provisions Of the bill would give
Georgia over $6,0O0,000 for the next eight
years. THIS bill would enable Georgia TO
educate all her remote country districts and
enable the humble children t. rise in educa-
tion and socially bless his native state.
HOW 1T WOULD BE SPENT.
The Blair bill does not restrict the ex-
penditure for educational purposes, but
leaves the disbursement of the funds to the
regular officers of the stata, Just as the
other state funds are distributed. He
showed that if the Blair bill was passed
there would be more than 5000, 900 as the
amount spent by the various Giles IN the
state would all be counted in the
amount raised By the state. He outlined
the benefits to be derived from
this increased fund and suggested
the propriety Of paying more SAL
ary TO teachers. After reviewing the
Denny law, and comparing it with the
recent law, explaining the difference, and
-
closed his address
The committee on entertainment con-
sisted of II. w. Reed. J. NJ Marshall and
| S. w. Hitch from the board of education,
| and A. w. Carswell, A. M. Knight and U.
j. Williams from the town council Judge