Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-11

In the above mentioned We ars the AVERAGE ner;od al
The attendance OF the poor children at school cannot be
stated as II was tho custom of many of the Board OF
School Commissioners 10 pay the regular price of tuition
Tor the full term agreed on although the children
ed might not attend school more than single day the
year. he propriety OF this is by some still con-
tended for, will be shown by the extracts in docu
men k Between individuals the principle is proba.
bly, correct, but it can scarcely be conceded presume
that the funds Of public institution appropriated solely
10 improve the condition of the destitute, should be suf
ered TO be disposed OF without any regard to
in the same loose manner that ne glgent ndivJu.l
may dispose of his private funds
It's possible that the returns for he ysa- 1890 W
only oil which yet received will ext iii, a prpa,
average paid for each child than that Of 1929 Indeed
1t much To be wished that il may be 80; under the
present system this result only be broupht sbou
by an improvement in the regulriy Of attendance oil
o. roor obilden at school. ii The average sum paid
shonli appear 10 be- even hsh as ei.ht dollars il
would shew that each child attended school regularly
for at least two huudred days;a length Of time sui
ocient 10 enable him to acquire most valuable nsruc
on
The reports for 1929 contain many applications for
an incrense OF the annual appropriations. There can
bs ho doubt that in several unit es greater sum
hght te ddVanaEeousIy ended, if the business oil
the Commissioners was TO be conducted with prone
degree OF activity and economy We il il question:
whether good policy does not forbid ,nera! increase
until it shall bs proven TO the Legslaure by returns
of the most explicit ard stac,ory natrre that every
cent Of the money already appropriated shall have be
faithfully and JUdiciously applied through the State
perseverance in the present system Of eiuca ting the
poor. aided 10y The efforts and example f the Comio..
sor eFs Of those counties in bich prase worthy at
ention appears TO have been paid The trust posed
in them, cannot fail, before very long, TO effect great
and manifest improve az well in the economical
disro on OF the funds, as 10 the greater regularity IA
cill'y and satisfaction, with which the business of the
School Commit sioners will he transacted Ry slfcl
adj erence also 20 the prescribed forms ainiiffng M
mn deUdffon body Of tho most useful and int
Information, upon which to found the improve nent or
entire change OF the system will be annusI'y pre
seLted 10 the General Assem- bly, and al the same time
the zeal and activity of The School Commissioner, will
be greatly increased, and their responsibility insured
by the pubica lion OF their rs in for m viii r.
will necessarily prove them TO be worthy OF the con-
hdence, them 10 the eeDsufe of their rsspec
tive communities.
1t deeply TO be regretted Ibat there ex.sts among
the most respectable inhabi,ants Of parts Of h
state, so great want Of public SPIRIT very essea.
TALLY TO reiard tie diffusion Of krowIsfge among the
innocent of prng of their less fortunate f. How c,zsp
not ultimately TO deprive the oil the pro-
yidea by bonehcent Legislature. Among O. Ter eau
ses OF complaint made some Of " School Commis
sionefs he most prominent is that Of The impoioc Of
duties oil gsd by item 10 be bUfthensoms aud which
they are required TO perform "wihsut T. or reward
Bat it may be asked, wi other in all schemes intended
TO promote the put lie d, and which, as In hs ca Q
must depend on The exercise Of public spirit and LIBERAL
~, similar duties do not necsssa lily devove on the
most in eIgent and resp ciable portion Of our zens
II these complaints he well founded, how highly should
we appreciate the labOurs Of those concerned In car
rypg ioo operation the conpTeb ensive plan of educa
ton adopted IN the State OF New York. That sysem,
when mas been so Justly admired, and which holds ou
such powerful inducements to ima ion demands much
greater sacribces, N the term be admissible On such
topic, OF time. labour and b1usy. on The part Of the
immunity, man a'e exscied 10 Fginia There the
direct coDtfbu ious, either cospulorv or voluntary
Of tie Inhabitants Of the hool Districts ior he SUP.
port Of Schools, equal to Line dollars for every ore
dollar pSid f0r that pu pose out al he Spfe Treasury
They have Supervi,os. Commissioners, Tfu tse. la
sPeeor, Collsciors Treasurer CIefks, whose duties
are extensive, various end ir0ubes9me. The inlorna
hon annually required It their hsnds, IL ore minute
and difficult 10 be obtained than that called for by orr
ie" and Peeuniafy penalties, in Instances heavy
$50 Imposed on hem, 10 case Of neglect OF duty;
yet We Plnttueuy with vi ich he Tsiurns from ihe
nan rous School Districts Of that State are made IL
y surprising, end well worthy Of Imitation
IL may then be safely eiuded, that nothing bot
= New fos contains . cosas divided into 77S Tovas sob
ON oysiy ToSp, AID from s2So School Districts " "