Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-11-29
State Public Schools.

some of the reasons that induced the
Convention to adopt the article con-
corning education in the Constitution.
All of our sister Southern States,
and the states ofthe Union, have adopt
ed a system of common school. Ell
Their in their organic or statutory laws
and by this recognize the efficiency and
the utility Of the principle.
The basis of this, in sovereign Dem
ocratic States, being the masses of the
body polite shall have n common ed.
ucation at the public expense, TO ena-
bio them to be better and more useful
citizens in all the relations of life, and
especially, to be able to decide %intelli-
gently any question that may be at is
sue concerning the public veal. The
citizens of this nation understand n
cote to be the expression OF a mans
sentiments at the ballot box. An in
telligent vote then is an intelligent ex-
preston of his sentiments, not only
for the particular candidates for office
OH the ticket voted, but an endorses
mcnt of the views of The candidates on
questions of State policy andthe plat,
form of principles onsw6sr1Ithcyfun.
In order, then, that soverciga'ffee
men may understand clearly, 1t 1910
the interest of the Slate and IgooigtY.
Sfnfeent, it is best for the protection
Eof life aud o! property, and best tor
1.-The administration Of the laws; that
every citizen, whether rich or poor,
should be educated IN order 10 know
and understand better the sacred re-
sponsibility that rest upon each as fac.
tors in the control of tho State. The
rich can educate their own children.
the poor cannot, yet both having the
same common interest, it is the duty
of the one TO assist the other.
The State thus becomes an cduca-
tor. uot only for her own protection,
but for tho pe%rpetuation of good gov
crnmcut, and the advancement OF the
happiness and prosperity of her pco-
pie.
This being admitted by every state
in The Union, the important question
is how best to proceed and into this
enters threc.controlling factors, utility,
economy and justice, justice to the tax
payers and justice TO the children.
In the Convention were delegates OF
various conflicting views. These views,
in some cases, were controlled direct
ly or indirectly by the manner their
constituencies would be effected.
Some favored local taxation only; some
favored the State giving half and the
counties and school districts the other
half to run the schools; some favored
the State furnishing the entire amount
from whatever source derived, aud
that source be fixed in the organic law,
others opposed anything in the consti-
tuition and favored RELOCATING the eli
tire public school question to the Leg.
is!alurc, thereby throwing it into the
whirlpool of every political canvass,
and risking the negro being pushed
forward agaiTas a factor at the ballot
box. The Negro is harder to control
about his school than about office. or
or voting. when his school is net cor.
rcrncd. - +.
There was also a strong following
that wanted the State 10 furnish five
months school, others who thought
three months sufficient. Some who
wanted the scholastic age fixed ut 9 to
Is years, others 9 to 20 years, others s
TO 20 years &c &c.
The situation of Mississippi is pc
culiar as relates to her common schools,
and in order to harmonize the various
conflicting views represented, some
common ground had to be selected.
not suiting any one member precisely,
but a solid plane on which q majority
could agree, and decide upon its util-
ity.
1t was found on investigation that
changing the nge 5 to 81 years would
affect the white schools in thinly set
ued.districts more than the colorcd,
for the rcason the negro keeps no re-
cord of age. If one wants TO 60 te
school he is always old enough and al.
ways Young enough, Their ages arc
flexible to a remarkable degree, 5 tc
21 years was therefore agreed or AT
best, (seciion 20l)
Five months was thought 10 be toe
long and three months too short fol
the public term so four was decided
. OH as a compromise, "and any schOo
district neglccting to maintain, it
, school four months shall be entitled L
I only such part OF the free school funt
+ as may be required to pay the teacher
. for the time actually taught (Sec.. 2O5
Tho age and length Of term bcin'
fixed the next important question was
! how the funds were to b, raised Il
I run the schools for that peEjod.3i
: Many plans were prspesel, repre-
s0uting the tinanciaf" views'spokcn o
. above. Some opposed the saloons be
# ing retained to assist'in educating tn
children. Some wanted tho fines IN,
forfeitures left out, so as to keep then
in the counties where imposed, &c. 81
Others thought the r. r. tax Nigh
= grow faster than the children iu
creased. The poll tax was the onl
1t fund that could be decided on and tina
Q remains in the counties where collect
T. ed. The balance Of the fund was LEI
for future legislatures TO provide, M