New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-08
OPPOSING THE BLAIR BILL.
SENATOR HALE SAYS EDUCATION Is NOT
MERE MATTER OF MONEY
EMPHASIZING THr NECESSITY FOR LOCAL Eff
PLYING TO CRIIIUsMs-THE END OF
THE DEBATE NOT IN SUIT.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TBiBUSE.l


ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE TBIBUSEl
Washington March An effort was made
in the senate this afternoon t. come TO some under
standing the time when final vote can be taken
on the Blair bill. and two interesting facts
were brought ont in the course of the talk over t'e
chances of disposing OF the measure promptly.
Senator Blair stated that he expected at least eight
more Senators speak the bill, and that he could
not hope TO come TO vote until next Wednesday, at
the earliest. Senator Evarts he announced would
close the discussion in favor of the bill, and the
New-York Senator's speech would probably run through
two days.
Senator Plat, of Connecticut who has been quoted
as on the list of doubtful supporters of the bill, said
in asking for an early vote that he would join with
Mr. Blair in putting the measure through the senate
lie voted at the last session for the bill, but WAS
supposed this time be rather shaky in his conf
dcnce in the wisdom of turning into law the New
Hampshire senator's education project.
Mr.. Blair took the floor for halfhour today 10
reply to criticisms on the bill made In recent
speeches by Messrs. Spooner and Plumb.
Mr.. Hale then spoke in opposition to the BILL at
lacking chiefly on the ground that IT was based upon
a mistaken proposition. Education was not mere
matter Of money, Mr. Hale said common school
system could not be made genuinely efficient by aid
from the Federal Treasury II depended for It's vgor
its vitality its real WORTH on the local spirit OF each
community, the enlightened sentiment of the peo-
pe who paid the taxes the school, and whose chill
dren enjoyed its advantages Whenever the schooi
machinery became complex, got out Of direct touch
with the taxpayers, the parents and neghbors OF the
children TO be educated, 1t lost Us effectiveness ID
great measure, subject TO friction OF all sorts ana
10 waste and The proportion OF public iiteiacy became
con ,tantly larger. -, ..,,
agricultural states. Ike Maine and vermont spent TAR
es, money schools han thickly populated common
veaIths like Massachusetts, and Ncw-N Ork. yet the
ratio of ilcracy was much greater In the latter states
than in the former. II was not matter or money
then or ability to spend money. bnt OF method ana
systematic direct and simple plan Of intensely local
management and responsibility being by FAR the more
Satisfactory and effective The Maine senator con
tended that in the southern states, which were ais"
agricultural ana tnny settled. the mere spending ~
Federal money would not be effective to Overcome INT
eracv The south would overcome itcracy only by
self sacrificing local effort in stimulating the spirit OF
self support I'm educational matters. ana the BAR b
would not stimulate thi, spirit but would cneFNate ana
destroy It. . .,,.
Mr. Hale spoke from memoranda, but d!d not iol!oW
his notes closely lie made clear, entertaining ana
suggestive speech and had good many auditors b0th
in the galleries and on the floor OF The senate