The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-07-10
FREE SCHOOLS.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AND
ACTION TAKEN.

court house last Thursday night to
consider the establishment OF . sys-
tenn OF free schools in Marietta.
The meeting, while not very large,
was composed of some of the most
prominent and representative bust
ness men OF the city, whe seemed
deeply in earnestin the matten
On motion, Dr.P.R. Cortely gu was
requested to act as Chairman, and
W. S. N. Neal, Secretary.
Col. W. R. Power explained the
object Of the meeting to be for the
citizens to meet together, discuss,
devise and adopt measures to secure
free schools.
Prof. L. B. Evans, superintendent
OF the Public Schools of Augusta,
was present, and delivered peril
nent address. He said Marietta
never made up her mind to take a
better step. We can do what we
will to do. He spoke at length and
showed the great benefits to befde-
rived to the town and the good
results in the education of the mass
eS.
Prof. J. G. Harris gave some val
liable statistics, the cost of tree
schools in other towns and the prob
able cost in Marietta. With a
matriculation fee, the State fund
and the Peabody fund, would make
the annual expense to operate the
schools in Marietta about $1,000.
This of course does not include the
cost of buildings, etc.
Col. W. r. Power said there were
about 900 school children in Mari
eta, 400 of whom were white. The
probable attendance would be about
$50 white and $50 colored. The
taxable property in Marietta
amounted to, one Million, seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
and that levy of q mills would
meet the requirements, with an as
sured reduction in time to two
mills that where a man is worth 81
600, and paying $50 tuition, his tax
eS wSuld amount under the free
school system to three dollars, or
$3.50 per thousand.
Judge Gober viewed both sides of
the question ; it was business mat
ter, costing money, and should be
looked after in a business way by
business men. Politics or political
capital had nothing to do with it and
should not be mixed up with it. He
wanted careful bill drawn that
would guard the interests of the
tax payers and at the same time
give us an efficient system to edu-
cate the children.
Col. A. S. Clay gave a splendid
talk. Said it would take a two
thirds vote to carry the measure
and he would be glad to see free
schools, teaching an English ed
ucation to every child in town.
1t was not expected that everybody
should receive a collegiate educa-
ton. A man who had amassed
$4,000 and had no children to ed.
ucate, could well afford to paw
something to educate poor children
and thereby perpetuate good gov
eminent, that protected him and
his property. 1t was ignorance that
people bad to fear. He suggested
that a committee should be appoint
ed to draft bill.
Col. Power favored this move and
suggested that committee of three
be appointed to draft the bill and
submit it to another meeting for dis
cusslon and approval.
Prot. Stewart, Col. J. z. Foster,
Mr.. A. W. York and Mr.. Keller
made sensible talks,all fevoring free
schools.
On motion Col. A. S. Clay, Col
E. Faw and Col. W. r. Power were
appointed a committee to draw up
the bill to be introduced into the
next Legislature, subject to APPROX
al at citizens meeting to be held
Thursday night, August 14th,at the
court house. Meeting adjourned to
that time.
A NASAL INJECTOR free with each
bottle 0f Nhilnhc Catorrh pon,aJ,- D.: