The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-19
ILLITERACY IN ALABAMA
By J. T. GORMAN State Examiner of Publfc Accounts

| hepaiu ...f............s..... satS &l9S0.n0
 N. E. A. & I. INSTITUTE. hlneVine ...................... 10o5 100000 ALABAMA GIRLS TECHNICAL IN-
 STITuTE.
 MohteVaho .......".......... 9e3 s62, ,506.5I
 The highest per capital for public schools fin the United States, is the stat. Of Washington. where the amount Is s9s Der annum, and the lowest, with the ex ception of South Carolina, ia Alabama. wEere the per capita Is s4 per annum. Alabama depends more on state tax alton and less on local taxation than any state in the union. | For instance. the state rate of taxa | ton in Alabama Is 65 cents on the slm. | Of this amount 30 cents on the sloo. nearly one-half of the taxes of the state are applied exclusively to the public schools.
 | In addition. the state appropriates s@o- 600 annually for the support of the pub- lc schools. besides the various appro- priations made to the agricultural, nor nal and high schools. institutes and col | ,eges.
 Then there are appropriations for school lorarles' the erection of rural school | houses and miscellaneous purposes. | These figures made a fine showing for the development and advancement of the | system of public education in Alabams. when it Is taken into consideration that the Inauguration of the system in this state is comparatively recent. All must admit that Alabama as a state has done its full duty for puhlic education, except to enact the legtsla- ton necessary for the counties to finish the system of education Tn the establishment and location of some or the higher schools the action of the state is subject to criticism IThera bp or diffusion and dissemination. when there should have been a policy of con solidation and concentration The nine agricultural schools for which the state pays s4o.500 annually, should be abolished and this money given to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute and Ala pama Girls Technical Institute or to the public schools
 | Why should the state pay s4500 annu- | ally. for an agricultural school at Blountsvile, 12 or 15 miles off the rail- road, with population of 2s7, according to the last Federal census. and at Ham ! ilton. 16 miles off the railroad, with a population s22?
 Then consider the population of the other towns where these other acrfcul- tural schools are located. Much more good could be accomplishad by giving this money to institutions where the educational advantages are so much greater
 With our fine railroad facilities and means of transportations and communi- cations, Auburn and Montevallo are easily accessible from all parts of the state.
 With our fine local systems of edu- cation In all the cities of the state and the state supporting a good high school in most of the counties of the state, these agricultural schools are not necessary
 The state pays $9o.000 annually to six white Normal schools. and s22. GOO to three colored Normal schools. total s112, ,o0o
 What Is the reason or necessity for so many Normal schools in a state with n population of a little over 100000?
 Why should the state pay 5000 annually Tor Normal school at Moundvillc, with Q population of 253?
 Would 1t not be better to consolidate all the white Normal schools Into one or at least. two schools. and the colored schools Into one?
 If this was done the schools would have better buildings, dormitories and school facilities.
 There is no question that such consoi- idation would result in decided im- rrovement in these institutions
 These matters deserve the careful attention of the legislature
 Notwithstanding all the state has done for education. much remains to be ac- complished.
 There are sffll thousands oe illterate people in Alabama.
 The state has done its duty And inc counties will have to do the remaindeP to eradicate illiteracy
 Legislation Is necessary before fhA counties can act and two important laws are necessary.
 First the legislature must submit a constitutional amendment for ratifica- tioh, authorizing local taxation for edu-
 
 ton law.
 ThA public schools require twice as muchS money as they have and 1t can only be obtained by local taxation.
 The perpetuity of republican institu- tions depend upon education.
 Many people do not realize the im- portance of education or are indifferent to its benefits
 When good schoolhouses are erected and competent teachers furnished. such people should be made to educate their children.
 It is the logical sequence of public ed- ucation.
 The question of the education of the negro, especially in the black belt" ts a serious problem for solution.
 At present, all the money received by the state from the three mills tax for education is divided among the counties in proportion to the number of children between the ages of and 2k Then the county school boards appor- ton this money for the schools to the respective districts in their counties In this connection much could be said in reference to the reorganization of our public school system. and the appoint ment of a state board of education. which could have Jurisdiction and supervision ever the high schools and the apportion- ment of the school funds to the counties. but the limits of this article prevanta