The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-21
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF The SOUTH.
some Valuable Sugg sstions for Their
Ir1prov emeut.

BRUNSWICK, GA, Dec. 19.-Editor Horn
ing News: Your editorial OF to-day on
Public Schools in the South is 80 correct,
so lust. that many who are actively inter-
ested in public school work in the southern
states viii heartily indorse H.
Not one line of the editorial either sug-
rests. even in the remotest degree, prejudice
or faisehood. The editorial states the case
a. it is.
The trouble with Mr. Cable and others of
his tlk is that they build upon q foundation
Of facts q most airy and fraudulent super
structure. They make the impression that
variety OF unrighteous things are done In
the south in matters OF public education,
when the truth is that no other part Of the
civilized world he's ever done In 90 short q
time one-third-one-tenth as much IN the
matter that is 50 worthy Of praise, so mag
nsnimous.
The work in progress in Georgia plainly
illustrates what IS being done in other
southern states. Thousands Of dollars are
being expended each year, not. for the
Education OF the children of taxpaYin9
~Sites alone. but for the children Of 1one
taxpaying negroes. These latter nearly
equal the number of white children in the
schools-in many parts OF the south they
far outnumber the white children.
Higher institutions of learning in the
south, supported by public funds, are few
kind there may be are not literally sup
ported. There IS net in ell the south single
great university thus supported Gentle
mems sons, in the sense Mr.. Gable and the
New York Advertiser mean, are, by com
| harrison. not sin it, No more are gentle
mems daughters ssin 1t.
Here in Georgia nira ,tenths Of the young
men and the young women who are pursuing
course of study IN the higher institutions
supported by public funds are the children
of poor peopie-a fact which Chancellor
Boggs of the state university, President
Hopkins of the School of Technology, Presi-
dent Chappell of the Girls Normal and In
dustrial College. and some others, can fully
suhstantiate. II by ''gentiemens sons" and
"gentiemen's daughters Mr.. Cable and the
New York Advertiser mean children of
parents who have abundant means, Mr.
Cable and the New York Advertiser are
| not within 100000 miles OF the truth
when they declare that the public school
funds of the south are expended principally
for the profit of that class.
1t is the children of the poor. the children
Of the moderately well to-do whites and the
children of the negroes who are principally
benefited by the expenditure Of public
school funds in the south Let Mr.. Cable
and the New York Advertiser end an IN
prejudiced commission sopth 70 investigate,
and they will quickly learn that these as
sertions are true.
But while the MORNING News editorial
is true, the fact remains that iu many re-
spects the public schools in the south are far
from being what they should be.
This is due to two causes, chiefly Failure
Of the powers that be to understand the sit
uation, and lack of money.
In the state of Georgia, and in other states
Of the south. it Is true that outside of the
cities the public schools are terribly inede=
Quate.
In al the public school systems operating
under local acts in Georgia, not one-half
can show, each, even FIVE properly built.
comfortably equipped school houses In the
country districts. have made personal
examination into this matter, aud know
that am speaking truth.
Outside Of the cities, most of the public
school houses in Georgia are not fit to be the
sheltering places of COWS or hogs. Put the
county school commissioners of the state on
oath, and dare them to swear to the con-
trary.
AS to facilities for education - maps,
charts, globes, etc.-there are virtually none
in the schools in most Of the country dis
tricts.
As TO teachers-the less said the better.
Within the last eight months | have ex-
amined fifty applicants for Seachers' places,
some Of them holding frst-grsde licenses
from other counties, ard yet only l or
2 or per cent. Of them were able 10 write.
read or spell with even moderate correct
hess.
These things-these lamentable things
are not altogether chargeable against the
public school system. They are mainly the
results of the fact that the public school
system IN Georgia is still In the egg-not
yet Matched out.
What is the remedyi
Let those who know the facts come to the
front and be believed when they tell the
facts; let the powers that be accept the ear
nest urgings of such men as Gov. Northen
and State School Commissioner Bradwell;
let politics be kicked out Of public school
matters-cross-road politics-and let thor
oughly informed, calmly considered judg-
ment as TO the conditions have proper
weight.
There has been great progress = there
might have been greater. Inducements TO
tirst-class teachers might have been offered;
Inducements to lirst-elass supervisors-na-
tiVe-born might have bsea offered
inducements 10 the children might
have been offered-houses for them
instead of pens, chairs instead OF back
less planks for seats. warmth instead of
cold. All manner of pleasant surroundings,
instead of all manner of unpleasant sur
toundings
Hereafter the friends Of public education
In Georgia and the south should demand:
tIrst-class super visors, ......--.
First-class teachers.
Promptly paid salaries.
Comfortable school houses.
Proper equipments.
Alb olute freedom of the schools from
partisan politics
Educated and progressive members of
county boards of education.
Earnest and effective support to such edu-
cationel measures as have been proposed
by Gov. Northern aud State School Commis-
soner Brad WELL
Reasonable reduction in the price of
school text books.
Uniformity of text books, as far as prac-
tcable.5
Enlargement of the course of study. so as
to include at least United States history. and
IN this state Georgia history and physiology.
An eight months term.
The appointment of two travelling assist
ants TO the state school commissioner.
The increase OF the state school commits
sloner's salary to $4,000 per annum.
Whenl
Very soon, in Georgia,
For, despite the seemingly retroactive con-
duct Of the general assembly, the army Of
public school teachers in Georgia are get
ting In their work
Mark the prediction:
No fsF,an -.