Year: 1872

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 1872.


PUBLIC LANDS AND EDUCATION.


The Presidents message regarding the
use of the proceeds of sales of public
lands for common school purposes has
passed the House and will come into the
Senate in a few days. 1t should be put
through without delay as a measure of
necessity and justice TO the millions of
youth who at present are deprived of n
common school education, especially in
the Southern States. The stability of
Republican government may depend up
on the success of the bill. Its terms pro-
vide for the distribution of the fund among
all the States for the first five years in
proportion to their illteracy as shown by
the census, and after five years the dstri-
button is to be according to the proper
tionate school attendance in the several
States.


In the Southern States the effect of the
operation Of the law must be a sure and
early return to fraterna relation with
the other States. The impulse of the
measure in that direction is stated by Mr..
Sears, the manager of the Peabody fund,
as very important and beneficial to the
peace of the country. The fact that
Congress and the President show a prac-
teal and substantial interest in the edu-
cation and prosperity Of the Southern
people by proposing such liberality in
lifting from their shoulders the burden
Of ignorance on the part Of her black and
white masses cannot fail of appreciation
by her influential citizens. After five
years successful working Of common
schools in those States the terrorism of
ignorance will no longer threaten the
peace of the country as it now does. The
masses will know their rights, and know
ing, dare maintain them against such |
demagogues as now presume to lead them
only to bring government and order into
chaos.


So far as the public lands are concern
ed, if monopolies or individuals desire
them, under the proposed law, they can
be secured upon payment of the value as
heretofore, except that the giving away |
of the lands to monopolsts for private
emolument and without consideration
will be prevented in the future. The
proceeds Of the sale Of public lands dur
ing the past fiscal year amounted to 81
100000, and this will be likely to be
maintained during the next generation,
at the end Of which period there will be
no excuse for any man born or reared in
the country wanting respectable educa-
ton. There appears to be nothing so
important now before the country as the
prompt passage Of this bill into law.


LOUISIANA RAMPANT.


The reckless conduct of parties in
Louisiana has brought on collision Of
authority between two factions who claim |
to control the State Government. War
mouth, who so outraged common sense
and common decency by fixing up a
political counting machine wherewith to
trlile with the popular vote, has been
impeached by the alleged Legislature,
while he in turn has iss ued procIama-
ton outawing all who oppose him. The
exact merits of the controversy is so in
vovcd in fog and doubt that little is
known here as to the exact legal status
OF the respective parties. 1t is now
thought that the President will refer the
whole matter to Congress in few DAYS. |
Alabama is little better controlled, and |
the course pursued by politicians in these
two States is sad commentary on the
want of education and consequent nabil-
ity of government substituting in
some portions Of the South.


CONGRESSIONAL ROW.


The House yesterday was the theater
OF quite tempest Of spleen on the part
OF several opposition members divided
against Mr.. Townsend, of PENNSYLVANIA,
who opposed the Soldiers and Sailors
Bounty Land bill and presented a pro-
test from the Grand Army of the Rcpub-
lie Of Pennsylvania. lie was denounced
as no soldier by Hon. Sam. Randall
whose services for thirty days soldier
ing in an around Harrisburg was made
point of. His military career had not
been known heretofore, and his party
made all the capital that could be made
out of this valor Of the redoubtable head
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