The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1907-05-11

the masterpiece of his genius and PATRIOTISM and
the people have regarded it with such venera-
ton that up to this time. they have been most un-
willing to amend it The distribution of this fund
has been the subject of discussion for some time
II is not matter of ancient history; this audience
can recall that about three and half years ago.
distinguished gentleman who was candidate Tor
governor. advocated a change in the distribution
of this fund His plan was to pay to the ne
proes for the education of their children, the
money that they paid taxes, and to pay TO
the white people the money they PAID Al
the conclusion OF a very eloquent argument, TINS
gentleman said that his opponents declared that
this could not be done Among those who were
most persistent in their opposition to the COVER
nor's plan was Judge Truly. who now insists tina;
the black counties getting money to which they
are not entitled and who insists that in order 10
obyiate this unfortunate condition, the teachers III
every school in the should be paid identicaly
the same salary, and that the schools should be run
for the same length Of time. confess that there
IS an inequality in the distribution OF this fund.- but
I do think the remedy suggested by Judge
Truly would counterfeit this inequality think
we will find, if the plan suggested by Judge Truly
is adopted that without adequate results the cost
to the people will be great deal more than it now
is.
The latter clause of Section zoo should be
changed to read follows: "The common
school fund shalr be distributed among the several
and separate school districts the Legis-
ected through the office of the State Superintendent
OF Education in to be prescribed by law.
The Legislature could certainly correct the in
CAPABILITIES that exist. 1t would not give to any
county money than it needs and thus no coun-
ty would have surplus You will understand that
the fund, under the law, is distributed accord"
ing to the number of educabe children i'll the
state and according to the number of white
children. Because the counties which have TIL
largest negro population unwilling to waste
this money to pay teachers large salaries for th'
education of the negro children, when it is not
necessary required there surplus in such
counties. This surplus can be used only for school
purposes, and these counties do need it, it
should go where it could be of the most service.
Under the Constitution it exists, dis
position can be made of it except in the counties
which it is distributed Under the plan suggest
ed by me, surplus could occur and every county
would get exactly the amount of money is necessary
for school purposes.
| wish, however, to sound here and now this note
of warning. Some of those who advocating
change in this section, do not desire to have
change in the distribution of a fund. Theil
purpose is to do away with the state fund entire
ly. It would pay great many of the larger
ties of the state to educate their children.
Take my county for instance: paid into
the treasury in 1905 Sos, 10000, and drew out
S33,ooooo. This left balance of $4,000 to be
distributed the state. 1t would pay my county
of number of other counties in the state. About
t 70 per cent of all the money appropriated by the
: Legislature is for schools If the appropriation
f of a million and a quarter dollars for common
r schools could be done away with, the state levy
# could be reduced three mills Most of the large
It counties, by putting mill and half additional OIL
r their county levy could support their schools
Il Greed and avarice sometimes dictate in this wor
and it is possible, to say the least following thi
&c dictate, these larger counties which exercise grea
npuence in controlling the affairs of the state nigh
g insist doing away with the fund entirely
g Indeed. Lieut.. Governor Carter in his address dc
It hvered last May to the convention of the Board
It Supervisors which assembled Hattiesburg sale
to "The only remedy is constitutional convention
ID with constitution, relieving the state entrel
,e of the burden of the common schools, making
lie mandatory the counties run their publ
it schools at least four months each year. with tn
e. power of extending the term to such length
IN they may wish" Mr. Carriers suggestion has four
u considerable support.
ne I opposed this believe in the mission
airy spirit. I contend that the larger COUNT,
should contribute of their abundance the educatic
of all the white children of The f.
ho the school IS not the educating the indivi
lie ual child. Mississippi has embarked upon til
d, scheme of education because she believes in got
as citizenship, to which is essential educated eli
on zenship. The larger counties continual
Ter making drafts the small white count
lid for citizens, and I do believe that a.
m investment be made that will pay bett
to returns than the money invest in comm
it school education / want all of the white childr
ch in Mississippi educated for which reason I am
ar strong advocate of the plan suggested by me-
ing I to make plain this fact; that the govern
IS can not change this section of the constitute
ess This is the original law; the peoples law and if
changed, it be changed by the Peep
pit therefore, if the people want it changed, they
ere instruct those whom they select for the Legis
,m- ture, vote to submit to the people amendm
der this section of the Constitution. The govern
of is Just as much creature of the constitution as
his the smallest child in this audience When he ri
counter to it. he must stop. In educating the G
ion dren of the state we must consider the intere