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be devised, and the one hundred and fifty freedmen's schools of the State be permitted to go on.

An order was issued from this Bureau that the portion of the above tax unpaid for the current year should be collected. But very little of this was done, and the order was afterwards countermanded. About this time the restoration of property to pardoned rebels began to take away buildings where the most flourishing schools had been taught, and no other suitable place could be obtained. 

In addition to these great discouragements, enemies of this Bureau, and especially of its officers in Louisiana, made a general attack upon their school-administration. The result of all was, that the Commissioner, General BAIRD, being without money, was obliged, to suspend all the public schools, promising that as soon as possible they should commence again. He had, by great effort, barely succeeded in obtaining sufficient funds to pay debts to teachers, and other previous expenses.

The colored people, seeing their public schools thus broken up, did not abandon the education of their children. Almost immediately large numbers of private schools were started, most of them of inferior grade, and usually taught by colored persons. Multitudes of the negroes were willing to be taxed] for the continued support of educated teachers; but for their paper, the N. O. Tribune opposed this, if it was to be without representation.

A system at length was devised by the Commissioner, whereby a tax of 5 per cent. on the wages of laborers was to provide for schools on the plantations, and in the city, tickets of admission, at a moderate price, gave admission to schools, which, under his care, were furnished with the best class of instruction. It was hoped that this plan would succeed. But for reasons which perhaps cannot well be explained these schools for neither city nor country have been popular. The officer in charge as Superintendent has been indefatigable, but the people generally have not responded. The former system gave them schools wholly free. These became at once a heavy burden. It is not strange that when a great paid system ceased suddenly they were not prepared for self-sustaining efforts. In short, driven to inferior buildings, and with imperfect organization, these schools have had such varied trials that a temporary demoralization has ensued, producing a sort of chaotic period from which it will take time to recover.

The benevolent Associations of the north will undoubtedly come to the rescue. Some of them are to commence schools, and of a high order, in New Orleans, in the Autumn. But it is believed that the colored people of Louisiana, with their present intelligence, their fertile soil, and well-paid labor, can in some way have a common school system on a self-supporting plan. We know that the excellent State Commissioner aims to accomplish this. 

The present number of Schools, is - - 73
The present number of Teachers, is - - 90
The present number of Scholars, is - - 3,389

The number of irregular and private schools cannot at present be ascertained; but they are very numerous.

TEXAS.

The general condition of the Texas schools is prosperous. They have had but little assistance from the north, and though the standard of instruction needs elevating, yet thrown thus upon their own resources, they have become nearly self-supporting.

The labor-system of this State was not broken up by the war, as in other parts of the south. The colored population passed quietly from slavery to freedom, and continued to cultivate crops which sold at very high prices. Hence, Texas, at the present time, has at the present time, has an abundance of money and wealth. The freedmen are partakers of this prosperity. They continue to work on the old plantations at good wages, and are generally well treated.- Like all the emancipated colored population, they are very eager to learn, schools being the summit of their ambition; and, under all these circumstances, they submit very cheerfully to being taxed for their support.

The whole management of these schools seems to have been judicious. The Superintendent, Mr. WHEELOCK, is a thorough man; many of the teachers have been acclimated, and are experienced; quite a number having gone to Texas from Louisiana, when the schools in the latter State were broken up.

The planters also generally concede that a certain amount of education must be given their laborers; indeed, that they only work contentedly where they and their children can have this privilege.

It is noticeable in the reports, that there are a large number of night and Sabbath-schools, showing that adults are securing some sort of education, and also that a moral and Christian training for all classes is to be secured.

Transcription Notes:
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