The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-03-20

he Is also opposed TO nat money.
Mr.. Owen is peculiarly favored by all
the party press.
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A Plea For Our Common Schools.
AS was expected there is the usual
amount OF censure directed at the AL
lance on account OF their doings at
their late convention held at Olivia.
Among other thing that the 'opposi-
ton" takes exception to is the resolu-
ton which this convention adopted,
regarding the disposition made of
state appropriations OF money to the
various schools of this state, and ad-
vising the abolition of our State Nor
NAL Schools. As this is a new meas
ure that has not been brought to the
attention OF the people, and they
have, therefore, not given it any
thought, it is due to them that an
explanation of the reasons for advo-
eating such a measure should be set
forth. We claim that the common
district schools of the state are the
most important part OF our educa-
tional system. They are the schools
OF common people, and in them is
where the great mass OF the people
obtain all the schooling that they
ever get. This being so, it follows
that they should receive the greater
portion of the states appropriations
for schools, and not that the higher
schools, where only very small part
OF the people receive what is styled a
higher education. The wealth, pow
er, and stability of this nation de-
ponds upon the intelligence OF the
masses OF the people, which, in turn,
depends upon the proficiency OF the
education which they receive in the
common schools and not upon the
favored few who attend the higher in
situations and acquire professional,
classical, Or scientific education. An
investigation OF the facts will show
that the common schools are not get
ting their share of the state aid, not
outstanding the fact that the greater
share Of the states money has been
drawn from the patrons of the COM
mon schools. For it is we'll known
fact that the farmers pay the greater
proportion OF the taxes, and we claim
that this state OF affairs is unjust and
unwise to say the least. The farmers
of the state are not getting their Just
dues in this respect, and that is why
we are in favor OF Withholding state
appropriations for the State Univer-
sity and Normal Schools, and putting
this money where it will directly bene-
fit the common schools, and the COM
mon people. | will now give some
figures which will prove these state
ments l have made to be true. In
1890 the state gave $1,157,723 to
all the schools OF the state. OF this
amount the State University received
$245,713. The Normal Schools.
$73,730, the graded schools $780,
66S, and the common schools $780,
612. Thus we see that the State
University, Normal Schools and
graded schools received $675,111,
from the state, while the common
schools received only 1882 ,612. This
is an unequal and unjust distribution
of the peoples money, and it is
strange that the people have allowed
themselves to be preyed upon so long
without raising their voices against
this system which is despoiling them
of their just rights. And this system
owes it's growth to the Republican
party which takes special pride in
proclaiming that justice and equal
rights should be secured to all of our
citizens. The alliance is accused OF
class-legislation, but if this is not
class-legislation will some one please
tell us what is? As facts are stub
born things and figures won't lie Twill
give some more. The 5,21O pupils
who attend the State University
Normal Schools and High Schools,
received from the state last year an
average OF 1927, each, while the chill
dren of the common schools received
an average of only $3.6S each; that
is, they attended 40 days during the
year. but, mind you, the others got
their 1927, each, whether they at
tended 30 days or not. That is what
some people would have us believe is
justice and equality. Here We have
1870 pupils who are given 1917