Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1884 — Senator Blair’s Bill. [ARTICLE]

Senator Blair’s Bill.

While we profess to have a very thorough system for training our children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, the humiliating fact remains that we are far, very far, behind Germany and other States in Europe in the matter of education. Barely two per centTof German people are unable to read and write. In certain portions of our country the illiterate comprise twenty per cent, of our population. To rectify this disgraceful condition of things. Senator Blair has induced the upper branch of Congress to pass an act appropriating some of the surplus in the national treasury to help the schools in the States where the educational systems are defective. It is quite time the nation took this important matter in hand. We cannot expect intelligent verdicts at our popular elections unless the voters are educated. This is a matter that should not be left to the local authorities exclusively. The Republic has a vital interest in that matter, and its representatives should see to it that provision is made for properly educating every child born to the com* munity.—Z>e7noreafß Monthly. VV''" . .. ‘ ' /■ 'V'.