THE GLENN BILL.
Has a Whole State Lost its Poise?—It would seem as if the white people of Georgia had done this in so far as they are represented by their Legislature in its action on the Glenn Bill. The sentiment of the civilized world is against them. Of this they might easily satisfy themselves; yet it is reported that Mr. Glenn, during one of his speeches in favor of his infamous chain-gang bill, cried out: “What do the people of Georgia care for the sentiment of the world?” There is evidence, however, Mr. Glenn to the contrary notwithstanding, that Georgia does care for the sentiment of the world. In the Senate the bill has been called to a halt, and several attempts have been made to modify it. Here is a bill that has been passed by the Assembly about as unanimously as was the Glenn Bill:
“Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring: That in future the Governor be directed not to draw his warrant for the annual appropriation of $8,000 to Atlanta University, under the act of March 3d, 1884, until such a plan of expenditure as will secure the exclusive use of the same for the education of the colored children, in accordance with the declared and settled policy of the State on the subject of the co-education of the races, has been submitted and approved by the Commission constituted in said act for the supervision of the expenditure of said appropriation.
“Resolved further: That said Commission be directed to see that said fund is faithfully applied according to said plan of expenditure, and in no other way.”
This bill is practically as wicked as the one for which it is offered as a substitute. As the New York Independent says, it “imposes a fine of $8,000 per year upon an institution for permitting the child of a teacher to recite to his own father.” Such legislation is a disgrace to the century. Private and missionary schools should have the fullest liberty in this Republic to teach whom they will. A missionary school opens its doors and says, in the language of the gospel whose teachings it is bound to follow, Whosoever will, may come. The Georgia Legislature sets itself up above the gospel, and says, Whosoever will, may not come. Shame upon the State that, while calling itself Christian, dares to legislate in violation of Christian principle. It will not, it cannot prosper, till it changes its course. What the final outcome will be we cannot yet say; but this is certain, the legislation will be against our principles and our work. In the meantime, it is pertinent for us to ask the churches if they intend to stand by us as we attempt to stand for the principles on which as an Association we rest—principles that we believe to be the very essence of the gospel? To close this year with a debt would certainly be a great discouragement in our work. Friends, bend to the rescue with a will.