The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-29

at least LndI we WOulQ hCtP thS beoe CA those we already have.
 Agricultural Progress.
 Our state in the last decade, from an industrial standpoint has made grat- flying progress. Evidences of material prosperity abound all around us What was the condition as disclosed by the census from 1890 to 1900 as 1t relates to our rural population? There was im- provement 1t Is true but was it propor- tionate to the improvement in other sec- tions, either in amount or in percentage! Let us see. The per capita value of farm products in Alabama increased from $44 in 1890 to $50 In 1900, gain of about IA per cent In Iowa it increased from $S3 per capita to $164 per capita, gain of nearly 100 per cent. The gain in Kansas was from $67 to $143 The comparisons could be extended, but it is unnecessary.
 The necessity for making more ade- quate provisions for our rural schools, and for that matter, for many of our town schools, is pressing and imperative. It is matter which ought not and cannot be delayed. It is a matter which comes home to every one of us It affects the citizens of the towns as well as the citi- zens of the country, for the prosperity of the towns largely depends upon the prosperity of the country.
 'Three- -fourths of our inhabitants are engaged in agricultural pursuits. The farmers of the state, therefore, consti- ute the main source of our wealth and whatever lifts them up will lift the bal ance up. Provision must be made for bet ter country schools if we are to do our duty by our chief producers of wealth.
 To Provide Rudiments.
 What we need now in this state is to provide the rudiments of an education and put it in reach of all the white people in the state. Let us start campaign against the white illiteracy in the state to the end that 1t may be substantially reduced by the time the next census is taken and as far as possible wipe out before the succeeding census is taken. If we want to assure the continuance of prosperity let us improve our educatioIB al adyantages both rural and urban. In this direction lies the true source of wealth as well as the best form of en- frightened benevolence.
 '.The state owes $966,00O due January 1, 1906 It has the money to pay with, but no appropriation has been made therefor and the executive officials have no con stitutional authority to pay without an appropriation. The regular session of the legislature will not meet until a year after the bonds are due. The schools of the state need more money to properly educate its children. The money Is in 
 but there is no law at present which per- mts it's use for the purpose. If these facts do not justify extra session of the legislature, what will?
 "Of course some men are afraid that this, that or the other absurd or unrea- sonable thing will be done. But what re- form was ever accomplished, what good thing has ever been done for humanity by waiting until every doubter has had his doubts resolved? We may wait until Judgement Day, but we will still find some men unable to agree. Why walt then, upon unanimity which never was and never will be? The good of the state will be served by paying It's debts as Tar as we can, and lengthening it's school terms, and this Is the mandate or the constitution.
 The saving of one years interest on the paid bonds will bear the whole ex- pense of the extra session. Who would not forfeit one years interest to save fifty? If by investing one dollar this year, we can make 1t pay hundred per cent every year for fifty years, who will oppose the investment? And es- pecially. if we can at the same time strengthen our credit. save interest upon our additional bonds. and add to our abil ity to provide fairer equipment and a better opportunity in life for our unlet tered thousands, and barely-lettered hun dreds of thousands of white boys and girls. and men and women, bone of our bone. and flesh of our flesh. who inhabit the hills and valleys of the state?"