The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-06-04
FCR PUBLIC EDUCI ZIOH.

work.
FOR PUBLIC EDUCA ZION.
The critics Of the constitutional
convention have been SO anxious
to heap censure upon it that the
people of the State have been led to
believe tn at absolutely nothing good
has been done by that body.
There were three questions which
were considered of paramount i'm
portance when the convention con-
vened-the suffrage, the judiciary
and education.
The first and foremost question
which received the attention of the
convention is that of the suffrage.
1t was settled in a manner that will
prove a blessing to the white people
of Louisiana. Without disfranchis-
ing any white men who have already
voted it will eliminate the negroes
from our politics. AS this was
contamination devoutly to be
wished by all the respectable white
people Of this State no one should
find fault with the word of the con-
vention on this score.
AS to the judiciary it is the
opinion of competent authorities
that the changes made by the con-
vention will simplify the manner of
transacting both civil and criminal
lac
The changes in the trial of Grimm ais
will, it is generally believed, give US
superior SYSTEM; one that will be
more expeditions and less cumber-
some.
While the question of education
has not received as much attention
at the hands of the press and peo-
pie, it is none the less important.
The convention understood its duty
in regards to this question and 1t
performed it well. Of course no
credit has been accorded the con-
yention tor what it did for public
education, but it is fact that it has
done a great deal for the advance
ment of this cause. In his me ssage
to the Legislature Gov. Foster gave
an interesting account of the work
of the convention. Speaking of the
provisions made by the convention
for the maintenance of the public
schools the governor says:
The present Constitution deals most
generously and literally in the appropria-
lions for school purposes, much more SO
than any prior instrument. Under the old
Constitution no exact approPri for this
purpose was absolutely fixed. Under the
present instrument the proportion is abso-
iuteiy fixed at one and a quarter mill. pay
able out Of the general levy of six mills,
which can be increased by the General As
sembly, but not diminished. The interest
on the school fund, the Seminary r und and
the Agricultural and Mechanical College
Fund, in all between $780, and $40. 900
annually, instead of being paid, as formerly,
out of the General School Fund, are to be
paid out of the Interest Tax fund thus rem
dcrin 2 this aggregate amount available adj
ditionally to the public school fund. There
is also, under certain limitations, a tax not
exceeding three per cent upon all inherit
ances, legacies and donations, above ten
thousand dollars, in amount, or value, the
proceeds of which shall be likewise devoted
to the public school fund. The poll tax is
also appropriated to the same fund.
Supplementary to these liberal provisions
for the maintenance of public education,
Article 2sz provides t'For the giving addi-
,ional support to public schools aad for the
purpose of erecting and constructing public
school houses any
parish. municipal corporation, ward or
school district may levy a special tax in
excess of said limitation (six mills on the
dollar,, whenever the rate of such increase
and the number of years is to be levied,
and the purpose or purposes for which the
tax is intended shall have been submitted