The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-28

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 THE AUDIENCE AS SEE less than one-twentieth of what it was entitled to. This does not include the grant for colleges and academies. North Carolina paid its revolutionary soldiers in bounty lands and these bounties were located in what is now Tennessee, so that in 1894. when we attempted to locate our lands 1t was Iound that they were al- ready settled and that the settlers could not be dispossessed. Then the system of government surveys mad not been extend- ed to Tennessee, so that the land sec- tions could not be easily determined. From this small beginning Tennessee has had to build up it's public school system, and has received no other assistance. The proceeds from the sale of the public lands were carefully guarded by the early leg islatures and added to from time to time by such funds as the state could spare. A committee Of the legislature of 1899 reported the school fund of the state to be at that time one million five hun dred thousand dollars. Several attempts were made in the early history of the state to establish system of public schools, but perhaps the first successful attempt was made in 1867, when an act was passed to create and maintain a system of public schools. This act pro- vided for limited income from the state and local taxation by the several coun- ties of the state. Much trouble was found in inducing the county courts to levy spec ial tax from the fact that the act pro- vided for the education of the negro, and as all taxes were paid by the whites they did not readily take to the idea of divid- ing the same with those who had recently been their property. The advocates of a public school sytem, however, made a i vigorous campaign in behalf of the recent enactment, and nothing did more to popu- larize the same than the excellent re- port of Colonel Killebrew, the assistant superintendent of pubic instruction. made in March, 1872, from which the following quotation is made
 Against School Tax.
 " I regret to have to report that there is yet, in some localities, strong feeling against levying a school tax, because the negroes will be made partakers of it's benefits. It is not well for a community, or an individual to suffer prejudice to drive them in opposition to their best in- terest and highest Guties The problem presented is one of the gravest nature. and should command our most serious and careful consideration. By a decree Ol IIONlutllCt, lDt ItBIO IS Here Niln us, subject to the same law, and entitled to the same privileges by law. That he can be made q useful laborer and a quiet, peaceable citizen, no one who is acquainted with his character can doubt. His attachment to the place of his birth is marvellous, and the most powerful influence brought to bear upon him by corrupt and designing politicians were not able, with but few exceptions to de- T k- l.I At. esty and uprightness of his former own- CT If his labor can be improved; if it can be made more profitable to himself his employer and the state the highest consideration of duty, charity, benevo- lence and patriotism demand that it be done. Intelligence multplies results even in the brute. A horse, for instance, train ed to walk straight forward to stakes in laying off rows for the planting of corn can do third more york in a day, and do it better. than one not so trained or educated. A team that has been discip- lined can draw a far heavier load than one untrained. Every farmer knows that the value of his laborer depends, other things being equal, upon the degree of his intelligence. Up to a certain point there can be no question as to the advantages to the employer to be derived from the education of the laborer.
 Twenty-nine Counties Act.
 This report showed at that time that only twenty-nine of the ninety-three counties had levied a special county tax for schools The excellent work of Col Kilebrew, however, bore much fruit, and in 1873 the legislature passed the pres- ent school act and within two years from that time every county in the state had levied a special school tax. In. some, how oan thaf | the public school system has had a grad ual growth.
 Great Improvements Made.
 "The last year has been one of great improvement in public school sentiment. The state legislature increased the rev. enue for public education by distributing to the several counties the surplus in the state treasury at the end of the year. On the 31st of December, 1903 the amount of this was $2Il 500, and we have good reasons to believe that 1t will be very largely increased next December. Through Lne generosity of the southern educa- ton board we were able last year to carry on a campaign among the people and county courts of the state and as result I am pleased to report that for the year 1904 only one county decreased it's public school tax. while fully one third of them made substantial increase. number of counties will this year be able to run their schools nine months and think the average term will be at least six months.
 AsWelI of Louisiana.
 The address of Hon. J. B. Aswel1. state superintendent of education elect of Louisiana, was an interesting one.
 He said:
 Three hundred years ago, Comenius. the Moravian philosopher. teacher. and man; who lived and loved and felt; gave in the title page of his works pictured prophecy, the fulfiillment of which, If we will, it Is our proud privilege to enjoy. The philosopher sits at table on which rest a globe and books. and he points toward door which opens into a school room with it's teacher and pupils busy with their tasks. On the panels of the