The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-06
EDUCATION AND SUFFRAGE.

A morning contemporary is paralyzed
with establishment that this paper should
note with pleasure Louisiana's handsome
increase IN public school enrolment, while
at the same time advocating the passage
of the federal elections bill. This to the
Telegraph is incomprehensible. In clumsy
attempt to be humorous, it assumes that
an interest in education aud in fair cleo
tons cannot be entertained by one and the
same person, but that to be pleased with
Louisiana's educational progress and in
favor of free elections for all of her people,
required the exercise of two distinct, and
not at all congenial. editorial brains.
This is exceedingly stupid, and surpris-
ing though stupid. Nothing could be
more consistent than the position of this
journal on the two propositions. The peo-
pie of Louisiana and of this state are peo-
pie of common country, all Americans.
State lines should not be allowed to OBJ
literate or impair the broad American in
terest of either of these people in the well
fare and advancement of the other I'm
proved educational facilities and conditions
for any portion or class Of American youth
are properly of interest to and entitled to
congratulation from all of the American
people. On the same principle, and
prompted by the same sentiment, it should
be matter of common interest that all
alike shall enjoy their rights under the
federal constitution; all alike should con-
form to its letter and its spirit; all alike,
being citizens and constitutionally en-
dowed with the suffrage, should be pro-
tected in free ballot and fair count.
In the school statistics that called forth
the congratulations which the Telegraph
criticizes, a showing not complimentary to
New Hampshire was made, and attributed
to growing practice of putting children
of school age to work in factories. If the
federal constitution had imposed upon
congress the duty of requiring and regu-
lating the education of the youth of the
country, with the same explicitness that
the Fifteenth Amendment forbids any
denial or abridgment of the right to vote,
this journal would certainly favor action
by congress to correct the pernicious con-
ditions in New Hampshire, and it is con-
ceivable that the Telegraph might agree to
that proposition.
But the constitution does not impose
this duty upon congress or confer such
power, and the deniai of education in one
or another state does not so directly effect
the interests of all. But the people of
Washington and of Maine are directly
effected by the choice of congressman and
presidential electors in Louisiana and Ala
bama. Those thus chosen have voice in
passing laws or in selecting president for
all of the states. 1t is, therefore, matter
of direct concern to every citizen of the
United States that not only they them
selves, but all other citizens shall be pro-
tected in their constitutional right to cast
free ballot and to have it counted as
cast.
1t is clearly consistent and proper to
congratulate Louisiana on improved pro-
vision for the education of her young
people, and at the same time to appeal TO
congress to protect i'll the exercise of their
constitutional rights certain other and
older people of Louisiana to whom that
protection is not afforded by the local
authorities. 1t affords pleasure to see the
youth of Louisiana provided with educa-
tional facilities 1t would afford additional
pleasure to see all of her qualified citizens
| enjoying equal privileges as such,