The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-02-04

great democrats views on the SUD-
ject.
This bill which was introduced in
Virginia in 1879. three years after the
United States was formed, provided
for a state school system that was
much the same as that now in effect
in Florida. 1t divided the counties
into school districts that placed
school house within three miles of
every mans home. A high school was
also established by this state act, in
the county, at a point within days
ride" of every mans home, and there
was also established a state univer-
! sity that was to be the Intellectual
centre of the educational system.
Touching upon the educational stu
alton in this state, he said that there
were too many schools of too low
standards. and argued, personally, Tor
| fewer school houses, but higher
standard and system of education. In
| Florida, he said that eight per cent
of the total number of white voters
were illiterate.
| Education a Solution Of Negro
Problem.
Jefferson argued for an educational
qualification for suffrage and taking
this as his cue, DR.. Sledd said:
negro problem The grandfather
clause is not permanent, nor has it
given true satisfaction. The educa-
tional qualification for suffrage should
be put into effect"
On the matter of fewer schools,
he argued that transportation facili.
ties for carrying the pupils the two
or four miles necessary to attend
school, should be established and
maintained at public expense. But
by all means do away with so many
poor schools possessing third grade
teachers and establish fewer school
houses with better equipment fol
educating children.
jefferson was the first to ever pro
vide for equal educational advantages
for female students, his bill having
t been introduced in Virginian in 1879
: and Massachusetts following ter
? years later with a similar law.
2 In touching upon Florida's educa
4 tional system DR.. Sledd told of thu
f provisions of the BUcklin law which
n was passed in 1905, establishing ;
9 state university which is to be no
y only the intellectual head of the stat,
! school system as Jefferson advocated
k but the actual head, for the Buck
lin law provides that the board o
t control Of the state university shall AZ
g range and direct the studies of a
e lower schools in the state. This ha
e not vet been attempted said tn
T speaker. but it will come later.
e In this connection, he gave man
statistics showing that in the Who'll
n state of Florida the average numbe
c of boys who graduated from the hig
= schools at the conclusion OF tn
IS twelfth grade only so. He said ths
u he had compiled these figures frol
Of some thirty high schools with tot
- enroIlmen of over 400 students, W
n ont that vast number only 60 actua
10 " graduated from the high schoo
IN and that not more than third eve
i go to college.
it Seventy-seven per cent. Of the DO,
u dropped out of the high schools b
Of tween the 9Th and 18th grades. TT
III statistics showed hat the girls WI
Mt graduated from the high school. we
al three to one, compared with u
boys.
ye This. he said, pointed out but Of
Id result and a result that was again
m all precedent-womank1n literal
N, mankind illiterate. Keep this up.
of sued the speaker, and the SUM
en- gates" will succeed in ruling t
ST. country. and" he continued, ''persC
tie ally | would prefer to be ruled
one brilliant woman than dozen
he Iiterate men Indeed. l am SO ruled
ed People Must Take Interest.
OF After stressing strongly and III
lp- ing the people to more deep p
or, sonal interest in the public schoo
es he said that he believed sincere
be- that it was due to education that G
Mt of the cave and cave men, develop
ed the present civilized races. and mt
ern developments that mankind
joys.
is He illustrated the success OF
- educated men compared with the IL
Nv, crate by pointing out that of the
IS 600 men who rank as prominent c
r. zens of America, 1000 are cole
Nc men. 5000 are self educated m
- That the matriculates IN cclles
numbered about 100000 persons.
nn IF the EIGHTY odd millions OF peol
in the United states. That the
, Sw 40 900 luen had given 1000 out.
les, fhe 10000. while the great mass
es- over eighty millions had given
IL three thousand
70 Again ne quoted jefferson as
per ING that re general welfare OIL
or race and the bulwark OF ciyiilzat