USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 96
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It is a singular phenomenon of the history of the internal economy of our State for seventy years, that our main attempts at internal improvement -and public education, at State expense, and under State superintendence, have been embarrassed or defeated almost wholly by the misdirection and misman- agement of incompetent legislation.
About the same time resolutions were passed by the Legislature requesting our Senators and Representatives in Congress to advocate a bill for distribut- ing the proceeds of the public lands to the older States-as the newer States had been greatly favored by Congressional grants-"for the purposes of edu- cation." The resolutions went on to state the fact that 15,000,000 acres had been donated to the new States, and that 10,000,000 should now be granted to the older, to establish a just equilibrium; and that 1,000,000 should be ap- propriated to Kentucky, for the purposes named.
It was not, however, until the act of Congress approved June 23, 1836, that any practical results were attained by the importunities of the State. Instead of land, Congress apportioned about $15,000,000 of surplus money in the Treas- ury to the several older States, in the form of a loan-of which Kentucky's share was $1,433,757. Though no provision of the law imposed on our State the obli- gation to devote this fund exclusively to "purposes of education," yet it was asked on this plea, and granted with this expectancy. Yet, by act of February 23, 1837, $1,000,000 only of the fund was set apart as the financial basis of our educational system; and. by act of February 16, 1868, this amount was actually reduced to $850,000. This is the origin and principal resource of our perma- nently-invested school fund, from the interest of which, for many years, we de- rived our only public school revenues, and from which a portion of our annual school revenues are now derived. By accumulations of unexpended surplus from year to year, and the continual addition of this to the principal this permanent fund is now $1,327,000.
In 1838 the first law was enacted for the establishment of a general system of Common Schools in Kentucky; but, for ten years, the system languished and struggled with feeble life and doubtful success, under the ruthless hands of un- sympathizing and crude legislation. The State treasury and credit began to weaken and totter under the ill-advised system of internal improvements into which the State had embarked, and by which she was lavishing her finances on a multitude of isolated experiments, with the prospect of finishing nothing. The revenues of the school fund were the first to suffer. As early as 1840, the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund declined payment of the interest on the school bond due by the State, when a deficit occurred in the Treasury, and the Legislature sustained the action on the plea that, as it was in the na- ture of a debt due herself by the State, there was no loss of credit in refusing payment, or repudiation. Up to 1843, there had been paid, for the benefit of common schools, $2,504, while there was $116,375 of interest due and unpaid. By act approved February 10, 1845, all the school bonds were required to be delivered to the Governor, to be burned in the presence of the Auditor and Treasurer, and duplicate lists of the same ordered to be made out. but not deliverable or transferable. It was on account of this spirit of inconsiderate and unjust spoliation that the resentment of the friends of common schools was aroused in opposition to the legislative policy.
By the indefatigable efforts of Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, D.D., LL. D., then Superintendent of Public Instruction, an act was passed, in 1847-8, directing the Governor to issue a new bond for all arrears of interest due, and also pro- viding for the submission of a proposition to a vote of the people to levy a tax
504
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
of two cents on the one hundred dollars, to increase the revenues for common school purposes. Both objects were realized. The people ratified the propo- sition for an ad valorem tax of two cents by a majority of 36,882 votes.
Beginning in the fall of 1849, the Convention for framing a new constitu- tion for the State of Kentucky was held. Fortunately, owing to the able and eloquent advocacy of Messrs. Larkin J. Proctor, John D. Taylor, William K. Bowling, Ira Root, Thomas J. Hood, and Charles A. Wickliffe, members of the Convention, the school funds for which the State had executed her bonds to the State Board of Education were forever dedicated to common school pur- poses in the terms of the Eleventh Article, together with all other funds which may be hereafter raised for said purposes.
One of the fiercest and most spirited contests of the day, however, was sprung between Governor John L. Helm and Superintendent Rev. Dr. Breckinridge, during the session of 1850-1, over the question as to "whether or not the common school fund should be considered a part of the regular State debt, the interest of which was payable out of the Sinking Fund ?" The question was of the more importance because of the yet embarrassed condition of the State finances. If the interest on the school bonds should be decided not pay- able out of the Sinking Fund, it became necessary to increase the taxes by a special levy to meet this annual liability of nearly $80,000, which would prob- ably make the common school system unpopular. The point was hotly dis- cussed and ably championed on either side by the distinguished heads of the two Departments. The Legislature took up the issue, and a large portion of their time was occupied during the winter with the discussion of it. Finally, Senator Magoffin (since Governor) introduced a bill directing the commission- ers of the Sinking Fund to pay out of said Fund the interest due from year to year on the school fund bonds, which was passed, but vetoed by the Gov- ernor. The question recurring on its passage, the objections of the Governor to the contrary notwithstanding, it became a law by a vote of 28 to 6 in the Senate, and 64 to 26 in the House-to the great honor of the two bodies.
Excepting that, in 1855, the people, by a majority of 57,980 votes out of a total of 109,492 votes cast, ratified a proposition to increase the ad valorem tax from two to five cents, but little organic change was made in the school system until after the close of our recent civil war. It was well administered, in the hands of able and faithful Superintendents, and steadily progressed with nat- ural life and growth, until the restoration of peace and comparative order in our Commonwealth seemed to justify an attempt at a general reform and in- crease of financial endowment.
In the fall of 1867, on the accession of Zach. F. Smith to the office of Super- intendent of Public Instruction, he projected and planned a series of bold and liberal reforms for the system of common schools, designed to secure an ample endowment of money, and to introduce measures of improvement in the or- ganic laws, which would place our educational regime on a scale of excellence and efficiency equal to the best in the United States. His programme of ac- tion and development was set forth in a special report, prepared by the first of December, 1867, and made an accompanying document by Governor Ste- venson, in his message to the Legislature at that date. Superintendent Smith advocated the immediate increase of the ad valorem tax for school purposes, from five to the maximum of twenty cents, the addition of a poll tax of one or two dollars per head, and the privilege given in the law to the people of any county, district, town, or city, to vote an additional ad valorem local tax of thirty cents to build, repair, or furnish the school-house, pay better wages to better qualified teachers, or extend the free session beyond the prescribed limits of the law, etc. He, at the same time, advocated the complete remodel- ing of the law and reconstruction of the old and effete system-the improve- ment of school-house accommodations-the normal training of the teachers, and the organization of these into a professional class-the consolidation of districts, and the extension of the jurisdiction of district boards-the enforced uniformity of text-hooks in the schools-the elevation of the qualifications of local school officers-the encouragement of graded schools in all cities, towns, and populous centers-and the extension of the legal session of the common schools, from three months, to five or six months.
505
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.
Early in the session of 1867-8, he prepared and caused to be introduced a bill inaugurative of this programme of reform. Great opposition was aroused in the Legislature to the measure, under many and varied pretexts; but by vigilant and persistent effort, the bill was passed through the House the same session, and through the Senate at the adjourned session of the winter follow- ing-submitting at the August election of 1869, for popular ratification, the proposition to increase the ad valorem school tax fifteen cents, and, in the event of success, instructing the Superintendent to draft a bill for a new school law to be submitted to the Legislature of 1869-70. Though active efforts were made to prejudice the public mind against the proposition during the canvass -at a time, too, when it was peculiarly morbid and apprehensive-yet these were counteracted by the arguments and measures of the Superintendent and the zealous friends throughout the State. The proposition was ratified by a majority of 24,677 votes.
The last step was reached which, if rightly and boldly taken, would have placed our Commonwealth in the honorable list of the most favored among the sisterhood of States, in her educational provisions-the enactment of a wise, efficient, and liberal school law. A bill for such a law was carefully prepared and presented to the succeeding Legislature by the Superintendent. But an unfriendly spirit was engendered, which led it to reject the overtures for a liberal policy, for the present. A law was enacted, however, which, although modeled much upon the provisions of the old one, embodied some features of improvement over any former policy. Though this new law is far below the standard which is represented in the modernized systems of mature and studied professional experience of some of our more fortunate States, yet, with the large increase of school revenues from increased taxation, the first year's operations under it developed that a vital and grand impetus had been given to our common school interests by the active and persevering labors of reform between the years 1868 and 1871. More auspicious even than these material results, a profound interest on the subject has been awakened in the" public mind on the importance of a liberal educational policy. The question has been forced to engross a considerable share of the proceedings of legisla- tion for the past four sessions, and has been carried to the arena of journalistic discussion. It has more than ever attracted the attention of public men and polit- ical parties, and can not any longer be slighted or ignored in the politics of the State. This interest has become deep and widespread. The popular demand has grown fierce and clamorous, and the waves of agitation refuse to be quieted until the consummation of a grand and efficient school system, fully endowed and equipped for its mission of statesmanship and philanthropy, shall honor the name of Kentucky throughout the civilized world. The wheels of progress do not turn backward among the enlightened and free of earth; and the day is near at hand when the labors of the friends of education shall be crowned with emi- nent and satisfactory success, and the hearts of parents and children made glad with the proffered and priceless heritage of free and universal education.
- Of the material results of the first year's operations under the effects of the late school reforms, and the status of the common school interests in 1871, the following data will furnish some idea :
The number of white pupil children reported in the school census for the State, for the school year beginning July 1, 1871, is 405,719, against 376,868 reported for the last school year under the old system, ending December 31, 1869-showing an increase of 28,851 within less than two years.
The amount of school fund disbursed for the year 1869-the last under the old law-was $282,948.61, while within two years after, under the operation of the more liberal policy, the amount for disbursement was increased to $968,176.80.
The number of school districts reported in 1869 was 4,477. and the num- ber of schools taught, 4,477; while for the first year of the new law the dis- tricts reported are increased to 5.177, and the schools taught, to 5,068.
The legal sessions of the schools up to 1869 were three months each ; while under the new system, and by the increase of funds, the sessions are five months each.
Thus the aggregate amount of schooling given has been more than doubled,
506
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
by the recent liberal and energetic policy, throughout the State. But this ad- vance is fully equaled by the improvement in the quality of the education given. While the old system only secured the teachers from twelve to thirty dollars per month, for three months, the new guaranties wages from thirty to forty-five dollars per month, for five months. Under such inducements, a far superior class of teachers have conducted the common schools, and a far superior edu- cation has been given, than during any previous year of our common school policy. The interest awakened in the public mind to the importance of a lib- eral system of education, the stimulus given to professional pride and improre- ment among teachers, the earnest and active reformatory steps taken by the friends of education, and the introduction of the question as a living issue in our State politics, by the persistent and uncompromising advocacy of the past two or three years, are an earnest that the animus and principles are at work which must steadily advance our system of popular instruction to the highest attainable standard of excellency, and, in time, give it rank with the best sys- tems of the more favored States of the Union.
The School Fund proper, on July 1, 1871, consisted of one State bond, pay- able at the pleasure of the Legislature, bearing interest at six per cent. per annum, for .. $1,327,000 And seven hundred and thirty-five shares of Bank of Kentucky stock. 73,500
Total $1,400,500
Besides the interest and dividends on those above, the revenues of the School Fund are increased by
1. An annual tax of five cents on the one hundred dollars of property.
2. An additional annual tax of fifteen cents on the same, which was col- lected for the first time in 1870.
3. A tax on the capital stock of certain banks named below.
4. A tax of one dollar on each dog over six months old, in excess of two, kept by a housekeeper; or in excess of one, if kept by other than a house- keeper.
5. Fines and forfeitures for gambling, including a tax on billiard tables.
6. The proceeds of sales of certain carriers, over and above charges.
The actual receipts from these sources are shown in the following com- parative tables, which exhibit a remarkable increase-one of the most en- couraging features of the growing interest in the education of the masses. It is proper to state that in order to make out the pro rata coming to each county for educating each child per year, and authorize the school trustees to make their arrangements for fall schools, the Hon. D. Howard Smith, Auditor of State, was required to estimate-several months in advance of its collection or payment-the sums which could probably be realized :
Collected for years ending Estimated receipts for years ending Dec. 31, 1868. Dec. 31, 1869. July 1, 1871. July 1, 1522.
Amount of school tax collected at 5 cents ..... $176,179 $196,118 Amount of school tax, as per valuation of pre- ceding year, at 20 cents.
From interest on State school bond ..
67,013
67,013
$812,551 67,003
$818,418 132,036
" County school bonds
18,313
18,759
dividends on stock of Bank of Kentucky
5,145
5,145
5,000
6,000
tax-Farmer's Bank of Kentucky stock
8,500
8,500
8,500
8,50€
" -Bank of Ashland stock
..
..
8,477
8,156
8,600
7,500
" -German Bank and Insurance Co. stock
900
" on billiards
1,600
1,577
2,000
1,500
" on dogs
3,152
1,995
2,000
2,000
" sheriffs. on old balances
10,000
15,000
Balance from Treasury from previous year ....
62,042
76,042
23,853
85,339
Total of actual and estimated receipts .... $352,587
$385,419
$776,239
$968,178
950
950
" -Farmers' and Drovers' Bank stock
1,914
1,913
950
1,000
" -Bank of Shelbyville stock ..
" -Commercial Bank of Kentucky do.
500
.
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY.
The following table shows the yearly progress of the school system in Ken- tucky, from the year 1841-the first year when district schools appear to have been regularly reported-up to and including the school year ending July 1, 1873, a period of 32 years, or the life-time of one generation:
No. of Counties
In the State.
No. of Counties
reporting.
Whole number of chil-
dren reported to the
Superintendent.
Whole number of chil-
dren In State, report-
od by the Assessora.
Highest number
District Schools.
Lowest number
District Schools.
Average number
Number of Districts.
Pro rata to each child.
Totul amount of school fund received.
1841
90
18
4,950
2,160
83
1842
92
23
10,221
3,384
81
1843
93
24
15,839
8,533
167
1844
37
17,538
8,294
197
1845
39
26,564
13,493
239
1846
99
39
27.845
13,053
314
1847
27
20,602
173,968
12,220
174
1848
44
31,501
183,458
20,418
410
1849
100
71
87,498
192,990
42,594
929
1850
=
93
178,559
202,840
73,110
2,707
1851
99
186,111
205,557
78,343
2,961
1852
101
99
194,963
215,195
69,825
2,994
1853
101
201,223
220,645
72,010
3,112
1854
103
102
207,210
227,123
76,429
3,257
1855
103
215,002
229,424
73,035
3,374
1856
104
103
243,025
92,367
3,888
1857
4
104
254,111
88,931
4,221!
1853
105
105
267,712
245,819
155,772
46,140
93,915
4,516
336,559
1961
110
110
182,976
253,022
92,558
32,441
61,375
2,631
347,188
1862
158,999
249,122
82,718
27,992
43,654
2,225
316,513
1863
66
249,920
267,268
144,364
48,280
92,957
3,984
278,232
1866
=
334,566
306,481
104,481
243,186
1867
112
112
358,002
335,155
160,446
51,430
102,534
4,269
.78
254,903
1869
"
376,868
342,732
169,477
58,245
112,630
4,477
.76
352,872
1870
114
114
389,836
178,457
51,235
120,866
5,177
2.00
310,548
1871
115
115
405,719
2.30
859,700
1872!
116
116
416,763
2.20
898,660
1873!
427,526
In his Common School Report for the year ending June 30, 1871, Superinten- dent Smith embodied a " Manual on School Houses for the people of the State," 65 pages, with engravings, floor plans, and estimates of cost.
The honorable and responsible position of Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion has been successively filled by the following distinguished citizens, repre- senting nearly all political parties and nearly all religions denominations :
Rev. Joseph J. Bullock, D.D. Presbyterian ... From 1837 to 1839.
Rev. Hubbard H. Kavanaugh, D. D. Methodist
1839 " 1840.
1840
1842.
Rev. George W. Brush.
Methodist
1842 " 1843.
Rev. Ryland T. Dillard, D.D
. Baptist
IS47 " 1853.
Rer. John D. Matthews, D. D.
. Presbyterian u
1553 " 1859.
Hon. Robert Richardson, A.M., LL.B
Presbyterian
1559
" 1863.
Rev. Daniel Stevenson, A. M
Methodist E. =
1963
" 1867.
Hon. Zach. F. Sinith ..
.Christian Methodist South"
1867
1871.
Rev. Howard A. M. Henderson, D.D.
1871 " 1879.
=
280,466
286,370
246,810
107,219
73,306
233,985
1864
80,986
1865
297,772
287,847
319,456
112,508
289,654
1863
224,318
254,932
97,001
4,457
1859
1860
1.60
1943 1847.
Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, D.D., LL. D. Presbyterian
attending the
attending the
ut School.
On March 1, 1842, Rev. B. B. Sayre ( Episc. ), was appointed to fill a vacancy, but shortly declined ; and on April 26, 1812, Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D. (Presbyterian), was appointed, but declined on May 15, 1862.
·
507
Right Rev. Benjamin B. Smith, D. D. Episcopal
355,590
,
C
A CHAPTER OF FIRST THINGS IN KENTUCKY.
Like all things else, Kentucky had her beginning-her day of First Things. These first things were generally types of better things to come- forerunners of something to come after, indicating social and civil life, pro- gress, power. From the day of her first settlement by white Americans, on Thursday, June 16, 1774, at Harrodsburg, to the present, 1874, just ONE HCX- DRED YEARS have elapsed ! The adventurers of that day found it " a desert land and a waste howling wilderness." For their descendants, even for the children of the pioneers, "the wilderness and the solitary place have been made glad, and the desert has rejoiced and blossomed as the rose."
If not the First Born State of the American Union, Kentucky was the first ready in population and strength; the first which applied for admission-in July, 1790; the first recommended to Congress by President Washington to that end, December, 1790; the first for which an act passed both houses of Congress, Feb. 4, 1791, and which act received the signature of President Washington. Vermont was admitted on March 4, 1791 ; but circumstances delayed the formal admission of Kentucky until June 1, 1792.
The First Governor was Isaac Shelby, of Lincoln county, and the first in- stallation and reception ceremony took place June 4, 1792.
The First Lieutenant Governor (there was none provided for in the first constitution) was Alexander Scott Bullitt, of Jefferson county, in September, 1800; he had been the First Speaker of the Senate, and presided over that body for twelve years in succession, 1792-1804.
The First Speaker of the House of Representatives was Robert Breckin- ridge, also of Jefferson county, who was re-elected three times 1792-96.
The First State Officers were :
Secretary of State-James Brown, June 5, 1792; succeeded, Oct. 13. 1796, by Harry Toulmin.
Attorney-General-George Nicholas, June 15, 1792; succeeded, Dec. 7, 1792, by William Murray; Dec. 19, 1795, by John Breckin- ridge; and by James Blair, 1796 to 1816, and longer.
Register of Land Office-Baker Ewing, June 26, 1792; succeeded in 1798, by Edmund Thomas; by John Adair on Dec. 19, 1803; by Mark Hardin on Nov. 5, 1805, who held the office until Jan. 31, 1814 (and is still living, April, 1874).
Auditor -- William McDowell; succeeded, March 7, 1796, by George Madison, who held the office twenty years, or until he was elected governor, in 1816.
Treasurer-John Logan, June 18, 1792, who held the office until his death, in July, 1807, fifteen years.
Adjutant-General-Percival Butler, who held the office until during or after the war of 1812.
Quartermaster-General-John B. Campbell, Jan. 25, 1811. (If any was appointed previously, we have been unable to find his name.) Public Printer-John Bradford; succeeded by James H. Stewart in 1796, John Bradford in 1797, Hunter & Beaumont in 1798, Wm. Hunter in 1799 to 1808, Gerard & Bledsoe in 1809, Wm. Gerard in 1810-11, Gerard & Berry, 1812-15.
Keeper of the Penitentiary-John S. Hunter, Dec. 17, 1800.
The First Senators in Congress were John Brown, 1792-1805, and John Edwards, 1792-1795 The same John Brown, a resident of Kentucky dis- trict when a part of the State of Virginia, had been one of the Representa- tives in Congress from Virginia, from March 4, 1789, to June, 1792; his sec- ond term was unexpired when Kentucky became a state, and he was elected senator.
The First Representatives in Congress were Christopher Greenup (after wards governor) and Alexander D. Orr, 1792-97.
The First Constitution of Kentucky was adopted and proclaimed, April 19.
(508)
.
1
509
FIRST THINGS IN KENTUCKY.
1792, in convention, at Danville-presided over by Samuel McDowell; the Second, Aug. 17, 1799, in convention at Frankfort-presided over by Alex- ander Scott Bullitt : and the Third, June 11, 1850, in convention at Frank. fort-presided over by James Guthrie.
The First Legislature of Kentucky met at Lexington, June 4, 1792, and held a second session beginning Nov. 5, 1792. The Second Legislature met Nov. 4, 1793, at Frankfurt-that place having been chosen as "the perma- nent seat of government."
The First State-House of Kentucky was, of course, temporary; it was a two-story log building, in Lexington, that stood "on the east side of Main" street," about half way between Mill street and Broadway.
The First Judges of the Court of Appeals were Harry Innes, chief jus- tice; Benjamin Sebastian, second judge; Caleb Wallace, third judge; on June 28, 1792. The fourth judge was added, and Thomas Todd appointed, Dec. 19, 1801. The chief justices resigned, and were succeeded as follows : Harry Innes by George Muter, Dec. 7, 1792; by Thomas Todd, Dec. 13, 1806; by Felix Grundy, April 11, 1807; by Ninian Edwards, Jan. 5, 1808; by George M. Bibb, May 30, 1809; by John Boyle, March 20, 1810 (for 17 years); by George M. Bibb again, Jan. 5, 1827; by George Robertson, Dec. 24, 1829 (for 14 years) ; by Ephraim M. Ewing, April 7, 1843; by Thomas A. Marshall, June 1, 1847. In 1851, under the new constitution, the official tenure of the chief justice was reduced practically to two years. (For the changes since then, see article on the Court of Appeals.) Only one chief justice has died in office-William Sampson, on Feb. 5, 1866.
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