Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-01-30

The Speaiter presenteda communication, from the
second Auditor, enclosing q tariff of tolls for the
OF Public Works; which on motion OF Mr. Williams,
was laid on the table. 'T,,l, .r7,s,
On motion Of Dir. Uhite of Rockbridge the Board
ut Public Works were requestedto lay before the
uouSe, the documentary evidence upon which the
said Tariff founded.
On motion Of Mr.. Nelson, the House resolved itself
INTO committee Of the whole on the bill to amend
the several acts relating to the literary fund.-, Nj.
1htttcr of POwhatai,, III the chair.
Mr.. FH<hugh OF Fairfax observed that the bill
proposed two obects first to Introduce gradually
better system OF primary education and secondly to
render the administration of theund for that purpose,
more efficient. lie would not comment at this time,
upon the Importance of the subject of primary etca-
tion but proceed state the result of his enquiries
| To the House Under the census of 1920, inr. +.
said the children between the ages of five aud Is
was not much short of 200, 00O--of these $4,000,
were the children poor parents and OF these i'm e
last year, 5000 only had been educ1tsd by the be-
ralappropratIoh of $4,000. This fact was sufficient
TO prove That there was something wrong in the
system we had pursued In Connecticut an appro-
Prialion OF s12oOo educated 30 900 children. andn
New ork the still more surprising fact was exiib-
tied OF more than 100000 children eiucuteii by an
annual appropriation of 81 90 O00-AIr F. here usrye
detained statement OF the system pursued in those
states, first begun Ill Massachusetts, carried to the
UTMOST PERFECTION III New-York, and productive OF
such surprising results. The great secret Which had
given their systems so great advantage over
ours. the provision holding out inducements to
individuals to contribute to the fund and thus to des-
troy the nvious distinction created by our svsten,
between rich and poor It was not proposed to i,,-
trodce this plan at in this State but pradualI "
and as it would recommend itself to the people bv its
valuable results. This he had no doubt would be
rapid and certain.
The principle of this approved plan is cortribu-
ton on the part of tho state OF certain sum to any
school district, when the inhabitants of hat district sta
contribute an equal sum, to the education of school
masters and for the purposes of primary Instruction
~ destroys that rcpugnance which many feel to avail
themselves OF the facilities ofeducatag their children
IN primary schools. by stripping the present system OF
It's ermosynary Character. and making it the inter
est OF all rich and poor, to educate their children at
these schools.]
Mr. F. commented with much force on the total
efffciency ofthe present system, and the great ex-
pendures to little purpose, which annually mad
under it. He thought its ineffcacy, and Incorrect
ness IN principle so obvious, TO strike all with the
necessity OF adopting new measures.
Mr. Hoterndn expressed his hope that others more
able than himself, would oppos. the measure now
under considerations He said that the evils recited
by the gentleman from Fairfax, were not the fan Its
OF the nw but Of those who executed 1.-THE school
commissioners. MIR. H. gave various details to prove
tins position, and to show the mpracticability of the
new plan from the want of funds and other causes
After various amendments had been offered to the
details of the bill by Messss Co,rnden Whether EYtx
hugh and Doddridge, and much conversation. the
committee rose and reported the bill to the House:
after which,
The House adjourned.