Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-04-03
Senator Hale on the Blair Bill.

We print on the first page of this paper
very nearly the full text of Senator Hale's
clearcut speech on the Blair Bill and we
invite the closest attention of our readers
10 the logical and well considered argu-
ments of which the Senator has made use
in discussing this great question which re-
lates to the education of the masses and
especially the negroes of the South.
We know that the subject of education
i popular one, and one that rightfully
ha> s large place in the sympathy and af
fection Of the best people of this country,
and for that reason it is only natural that
many at first glance would lend to the
Blair bill ready assent which q sober
second thought would not warrant. Thus
il came TO pass, doubtless, that many who
indorsed this bill in the early discussion Of
The question, eight years ago, after more
mature elaboration changed their mind and
arrayed themselves among its opposers.
This great country known A. the United
states OF America, il, it is true and ever
must be, Nation, and not a coufederacy
OF States. ON questions which pertain
solely to the Nation. it must be supreme
bat there i much that must, from the
very nature Of the case, be left to the
States and among other things, with few
exceptional cases, the support Of schools
ana the education Of the children. This
has always been SO in this country and
why should it not be so at the present
time: And why should an exception be
made in favor Of the Southern States?
During the last ten years their prosperity
has been almost phenomenal and the pros
pcrity Of their common schools has
grown with their growth and strength
ened with their strength"
In proof of the above we quote the fol-
lowing facts and figures from Mr.. Hale's
speech;
The assessed valuation Of property in
the South has increased in the last ten
years more than 70 per cent.
The New Orleans Times may we'll say in
the light OF thi> condition that the South
In eight wears Florida has doubled the
number of her schools, more than doubled
The number Of pupils, aud more than quad
Fupled her expenditures for the same The
length Of the school year in Florida 4,
nearly a long a. it Is in New Hampshire
or Maine. and the percentage of enroll
mcut and day attendance is as great as
that of any State
In Arkansas, in the last three wears. the
number OF teachers has increased 80 per
cent, the number of pupils more than 80
PIT cent, while the expenditures for
school purposes have nearly doubled
Texas IN eight Years has increased her
number Of schools Gu per cent. more than
doubled the number Of children of school
age enrolled, and more than doubled the
school attendance: while the amount ex
pended for schools has been increased
from s69l .04l in lss0 to S217s.l72 il .
lNo>. and the length of the school wear in
mat State IS a. great a. il is in the more
spdt> settled New England States
The Commissioner of Education, in a
recent report, says that the Southern PEG
PIE have adapted themselves readily to
their new conditions and have addressed
themselves with fidelity and energy 10 the
building up of their school systems"
The above are nothing less than stub .
born facts which cannot be controverted,
and show, it seems to US that The Southern
states have growing disposition TO edu-
cate the masses through the liberal sup
port OF the common-school system. Such
being the fact it would be it seems to us.
most unwi>e to vitiate this most laudable
disposition by giving them what they do
not ask-the aid of the government; for
the legitimate result of such aid would
only weaken the efficiency Of their school
system. As bearing upon this point we
quote in conclusion the following from
the Senator's speech, the eloquent truth
and good sense of which must commend
themselves to all our readers
When the Federal Government takes up
on itself portion of the work of main.
tanning the common-schoOl system Of the
country. that moment local and State in
terest begin to decline; that moment an
other set of feelings and desires and ex-
pectations relating TO education takes pos
session of the minds of the people-the
desire 10 secure more, the desire TO be
freed from home burdens-ahd out Of this
comes the death of the local and neighbor-
hood feeling which has given vitality to
our common schools. The humble but
useful fabric reared by local and State in
terests is torn down, and in its stead is
built up vast imposing structure, reared
and maintained by the General Govern
ment.