In Florida education is advancing rapidly. Two-fifths of the children attend school, and there are applicants promised for all the Normal College scholarships that can be allowed to that State.
Opposition to the public free school system is disappearing in Mississippi, and a healthy condition is reported. A normal institute has been established. One-third of the school population attend in Louisiana. In the Colored Normal School we have had twenty scholarships of $50 each. This arrangement is the result of an extended correspondence with the State Superintendent.
In Tennessee, never since the first year of the present school system has so much money been raised for its support; never has the school tax been paid more cheerfully. Speaking of the use made of Mr. Peabody’s gift, the Superintendent says: “The encouragement given by the wise disposition of this fund has always proved an invaluable accessory in the arduous work of organizing and sustaining the cause of popular education in this State and in the South.”
The State Superintendent of West Virginia says of the aid received from the Peabody Fund for the Normal Institutes: “It is of the highest value to the cause of education, and contributes more, perhaps, in general advantage than an equal expenditure in any other direction could do.”
The appropriations from the fund for the last year were: Virginia, $9,850; North Carolina, $6,700; South Carolina, $4,250; Georgia, $6,500; Florida, $3,000; Alabama, $3,600; Mississippi, $4,000; Louisiana, $7,650; Texas, $7,700; Arkansas, $5,600; Tennessee, $12,000; West Virginia, $4,000; total, $74,850.
The Treasurer’s report showed a balance of about $83,000 available for expenditure during the coming year. In former years the income has amounted at times to as much as $110,000, but there has been some shrinkage since the 6 per cent. bonds, in which much of the fund was invested, have been called in, the new investments being in 4 per cent. bonds.
The officers of the Board, who have been continued from year to year, are Robert Winthrop, Chairman; G. Peabody Russell, Secretary; Samuel Wetmore, Treasurer; the Rev. Barnas Sears, General Agent.