The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1907-06-29
CHAS. SCOTT M|SREPRESENTED
ON EDUCATIONAL QUESTION
Read the Following Extract From His
Speech Delivered at Louisville,
Winston County.

IL Is WIN pflde, my Fellow cltlZenS,
that | call your attention to the fact
that Mississippi, considering property
values, next to Massachusetts, alone,
has been the most liberal of all the
states in the Union in the important
matter of public education. If | am
elected Governor, I shall be cordially in
favor of the continuance of this wise and
liberal policy.
| would not take one dollar from our
splendid colleges and universities, which
are in every way worth the fostering
care of this great commonwealth. I
would, however, like to see more money
devoted to the country schools, the
neighborhood schools as they are some
times called, including the schools in
our villages and smaller towns. This
should be done for the benefit of those
of our people who are not financially
able to send their children off for high
er education; or even where they have
the financial ability, | hold that it is
better for the boy and girl to remain as
long as possible under parental influ-
ence. Th@~ importance of this desirable
innovation will be generally conceded, |
think, if we recall the significant fact
that most of the great men of America
in the past, have not been given to the
country by the larger cities and towns.
Not always, but generally they have
been found "far from the maddening
crowd" hid away, if / may use the ex-
preston, in the fields and forests, re-
minding us that
"Many gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean
bear,
Many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert
air."
Let us then, my friends, polish these
hidden gems-our country boys. Let us
nurture and cultivate these fair country
howers-our beautiful country girls; and
all the money spent by the common
wealth in this behalf will, in my humble
opinion, be returned to her a thousand
fold.
Entertaining the views | have just
mentioned to you, ladies and gentlemen,
| am now and always have been thor
oughly in favor of amending the consti-
tuition of the State in the interest of
the white children, and the white teach
ers of the commonwealth, so as to rem
edy as far as possible the existing evils
touching the distribution of the public
fund.
These are my views with reference to
the education of the white children of
the State What are my views touching
the education of the negro? ! say with
regret that they are altogether different.
If | thought that such education tended
to improve him, either morally or other
wise, [ would be cordially in favor of
devoting a part of the taxes we make |
in the sweat of our brow to that pur-
pose; but do not think so. Commenc-
ing in poverty after the Civil War, my
only assets when l surrendered at
Gainesville, Ala, in 1865, being the
horse, saddle and bride with which
followed the greatest natural soldier ON
earth, ''the wizard of the saddle"
have after lifetime of almost inces-
SAINT toll been able to accumulate sutfi-
cient means to make me reasonably in
dependent. None of this money has
been invested in United States or other
bonds, but every dollar is invested in
farming, with the exception of COM
paratively small amount invested in the
mercantile business directly dependent
on farming. All of my farming inter-
ests are located in the Delta, where we
are entirely dependent on negro labor.
l have been compelled to study the ne
gro then, not simply as student, but
as practical business man, and think
that | can say | have had as much eX-
perience with him as any man in the
South My experience and observation
teach me that the attempt to educate
the negro is a failure, and, therefore,, II
there is any way in which to avoid TINS
useless expenditure, for one am cordi-
allx Inin This
of the reasons why / voted for James
X Vardaman four years ago when he
ran for Governor of Mississippi. Now,
my friends, / would not have you mis-
understand me for the world with refer
ence to the two distinguished Southern
ers who are rival candidates in Missis-
sippi today for the United States Sem
ate-John Sharp Williams and James X.
Nardaman. | am warm personal and
political friend of both of these dlstin-
guished gentlemen, and have been an
ardent admirer of both for years past.
| have troubles of my own, as the say
ing goes, and am entirely impartial IN
the Senatorial election, and intend to
take no part in it beyond casting my
vote. Neither Mr. Williams nor Gov.
Vardaman intend to take any part III
the gubernatorial election beyond voting.
In other words, each of us is toting his
own skillet, to use a familiar phrase,
and / only refer to my support OF Ma
Jor Vardaman four years ago to show
that | have not changed my views on
the subject of education since l became
candidate for Governor.
Where were my distinguished compet-
ltors four years ago? AS Mr.. Noel and
Mr. Brewer were then in opposition to
Mr. Vardaman, we may safely assume
that they We're opposed to his views on
the important subject under discussion
Passing them by, would especially like
to ask where Judge Truly, who is now
so vigorously asserting himself in be-
half of the white children of the State,
while he is at the same time trying to
prejudice the minds of the public against
me in this behalf, stood on the subject
OF negro. education four years ago, VIXEN
he occupied the circuit bench in the low
er part of the State, and was one OF
Nardaman's most violent enemies!
Where was Roderick then?
One blast upon his bugle horn