Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-07
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE

ALABAMA'S SCHOOL INTEREST Editor State Herald:
 Rome was not built in one day. neither is a successful school system.
 Atlanta's and Birmingham's public school system has for several years been the pride of the south.
 The new mayor of Atlanta, MT. Collins, has stabbed the Gate City in her most vital spot.
 I have never been an advocate of de- nominational schools, but rather than our present appalling state, give us a denom- national in every vacancy ...s. Alabama's illitefacy is "by-word" at every town. A taunt that hurts.
 Our school funds have been drawn upon, sliced and divided until a mere shadow of it reaches the common people. A bill passed the Alabafrna legislature this week appropriating $22,500 annually for the support of the nine new agricul- tural schools, this to be drawn from the agricultural fund.
 Not two-thirds of the voters of the state of Alabama can tell you where the State university is situated.
 Every school which receives a stipu- lated sum from the state should be heard from at least once a month in leading sta te paper.
 A newspaper which is the official state organ should keep the advantages of these schools continually before the pub lie.
 When the advance of cotton 1h of cent will make farmers eyes brighten, econ- omy and constant vigilance should be practiced by all state officials.
 Educate the common people, and you educate the nation.
 Education makes a man fit compan- ion for himself. If he thinks intellgently he acts intelligently.
 From every platform we hear of the wholesale illiteracy of Alabama.
 God helps those who help themselves.
  pride. more neighborhood pride, in an educational way. r-s
 What is everybody's business is mo- body's business. Every individual of in- telligence should feel the weight of the yoke that Alabama is now carrying.
 Here We Rest" a romantic motto, but we must not take it as it reads. What is each reader of this paper doing to pro- mote the advancement of education in his community. a8t.
 There exists disinclination to take Nin- dividual trouble. When this great fault is corrected Improvement will be visible from all points.
 If Gov Johnston continues his admin istration as he has begun, by showing such deep interest in the education of his people, his name will be honored and his works praised in days to come:
 If Gov. Johnston's researches bring about the reforms predicted there will be no need of Charles Dickens among us to write a Nicholas Nickleby, to bring about an educational reform in Alabama. It is only too true. we honor MT. Squires at every turn; we find him in the school rooms from our high schools down to the Hog hut" in the lockwood.
 We find this. same MT Squires in the board of examiners in the county super intendent of education.
 We find him in "the board of trustees" in some of our schools >which eneb ble big drain on Alabama's school fund.
 We have great state, great people. Such numerous natural advantages are not to be found north, east, south or west, and yet all this does not compensate for the germ which produces, when well fos- tered, a nations prosperity-education.
 LOUISE F. MORGAN.
 Hef1in Ala Feb G. 1897.