The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-03
Mr. Northsn,s Suggestion.

In his adore S before the State Teachers
Association at Columbus, Thursday, Hon.
W. J. Northen spoke strongly in favor Of
the education Of the people. he admitted
that the public schools, outside Of the cities.
were not what they ought to be. There
was great need, he said, of better school
accommodates and of more capable
teachers. He expressed the opinion that the
prosperity of the state depended, in great
measure, upon the public schools. The
better the schools the more intelligent and
progressive the people would be.
What is necessary to secure better
schoolsl Mr.. Northen said that the first
thing to be done was to create public SEN
timent in favor of more and better
schools, and he suggested the ap-
pointment of public sentiment
committee, consisting of one member
from each congressional district, whose
duty it should be to ascertain from teachers
throughout the state the educational needs
of each school district, and to make efforts
to arouse public sentiment in behalf of bet
ter public schools.
TIE legislature. Mr.. Northen said, will
not Increase the appropriation for schools
unless the people demand that it shall.
Before there can be better schools more
money must be appropriated annually for
school purposes, and before that will be
done the people will have to be thoroughly
aroused on the subject Of education.
Mr.. Northen's suggestion relative to an
educational committee is good one, ana
no harm would be done if subcommittee
were appointed. representing each congress
sional district and consisting of one mem
Der from each county of the district. These
subcommittee could keep in touch with
the general state committee and be directed
in their work by it.
In this way the people could be induced
to favor not only a larger annual appro-
priation for educational purposes. but also
to submit to a county school tax. 1t would
not be difficult to show them that good
schools would bring into the state a good
class of immigrants, and that with the COM
ing of immigrants there would be a marked
increase in the value Of lands. Farms would
be greatly improved and the signs of thrift
and prosperity would increase with wonder
lul Tdpiulty.
There are very few people in the state
who would not like their children to have
better educational advantages. The great
majority, however, are not quite ready to
make the sacrifices necessary to give them
those advantages. But if it we're pointed
out to them that by providing better
schools their own material condition would
be greatly improved, they might be willing
to bear the burden which such schools
would for timeirnpose upon them.
Mr.. Northen is strong candidate for the
nomination for governor, and it is crafty
ing to know that he occupies al advanced
position on the question Of improving the
public school system. Having been teach
er himself, however. and being pro-
gressive man lie could hardly occupy any
other position in this matter. In his can
vass for the gubernatorial nomination he
should never miss an opportunity to tell the
people that they could do no other thing that
would 30 help to increase their happiness
and prosperity as to improve their schools.