New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-06
MIR. PLUMB OPPOSES THE BLAIR BILL.

THE RELATION OF SOUTHERN STATES TO THE
Observation-Disclosures SHARE OF THE FUND
Washington March tSpeciaD. Senator Plumb, who
was characterized the other Gay by Senator Blair as
with one exception, the most persistent enemy in
the senate of the Educational BILL" made. this after
noon lively and vigorous attac, on the New IIamp-
shire Senator's measure. Mr. Plumb is always drar
matte and interesting debater and his crisp and breezy
STYLE of ortory certain hold the attention OF the
Senate. The chief points he made against the Blair
bill were that it offered aid to all the States while
four.ffths of them did not need and
did not want it; that it taxed the
states that had already made the most sacrifices for
education for the benefit Of those which had not made
the least; that state in the South elsewhere was
present really unequal to the burden OF educating
her own youth and that if education lacking any
where, 1t was through unwingness to provide II ana
not through inability that the bill did not puport 70
assume the education of the crate colored children
at the South National heritage OF reconstruction
legislation but actually gave more for the schooling Of
Southern white children than for colored ones ahd'
finally that the appropriation of money from tie tcd-
eral Treasury for the aid Of schools in States that dd
not need it, and In many cases had not asked for IT,
was an insidous blow at local effort, dcnoialNIns
those communities at the South in which the spirit Of
sefhelp and self-support in educational matters was
struggling to the front, and cnccblins and rctu'lng
the growth of the present promising movement there
toward a genuine selfmantaining common school
system.
Mr.. Plumb made effective stroke by contrasting
the condition of education and wealth In TIE Two
states Of Alabama and Kansas In population thcY
were almost equals. I'm actual taxable wealth. Inc
advantage was in favor of Alabama at TIE present
moment, while In extent and variety OF resources INC
Southern State vastly superior. Yet under inc
Blair bill Alabama would get the largest measure oi
assistance and Kansas almost the smallest. why
Mr. Plumb asked. should the relatively poorer Hta'c
Kansas be asked contribute 10 the scoO luna Oh
the richer state of Alabama Was IL because Kansas
had by sacrifice and labor already built up II scAoo
system, while Alabama had done lille or not"ne
toward educaon7 This seemed 10 MIR. Plumb al ouu
perVcrsiOn of the New Testament parable. go
The Kansas senator also ridcucd the s1e OF INC SUP
vention his State would receive II the Jill passed. ea'A
school district getting, according TO his estimate from
IL so TO ST year.
senator Barbour. OF Virginia. had finished the nrSt
speech Of his career in the senate before MT fIhhlD
began He favored the Blair bill heartily, ana sald
that in Virginia both parties had advocated the meas
in political platforms and on the stump Tie GA
Dominion he thought. had too much hitcTacy
within her borders 10 contend successfully against II
with her own resources. Federal aid was necessary
II the colorcd children were 10 BE- properly educated
and accordingly. Mr. Barbour gave his cordial assent
to the legislation proposed by Senator blaT NO
action taken on the bill.