Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-08

on those subjects inconvenen il not mpracticabe 10
their operation.
am, sir, with high respect and consideration,
Your obedient servant, JAS. E HEATH,
auditor Of Public accounts.
1he honorable the Speaker Of the House Of Delegates.
SECOND AUDIroR's orrIcE. Sd Dec 1882.
To the General assembly of Virginia
have the honor submit here, with to the General AS
semby the of the Literary Fund for The year
ending Both September, 1882, marked to c. together
with sundry statements relating the of the
school commissioners Of the State for 1881 marked to
Each of the above mentioned statements is accompanied
oy the necessary explanations and make perfect
~ intelgible II may be useful however give con-
else view OF them.
ton TO its capital of $ls,606 81, of which $lo3I7 II,
was derived from the surplus Statement b.
mere was reimbursed in the year account of loans
10 individuals, the sum of 1860 These debts which
originally amounted TO $50 0O0 now reduced to 3d.
O3O 1t is probable they will fully discharged in the
current year Statement CO.
The actual disbursements account of investments of
the capital in stocks, amounted $3437 H. leaving in
the treasury balance of 1872 l53 81 OF that sum- $50
OOO nave since been applied to complete the payment for
last spring. Statement c.
The revenue of the year amounted ,74O 90 and
as before stated the surplus left alter paying appropriations
aud expenses, was $l03I7 IL. The estimate accompa.
nyng my last years report does appear TO have been
realZed-a circumstance principally attributable TO a
change made by act of the Legislature in the time
oil payment at the Treasury of the on the per
cent Stock which curaied that item scithin the fiscal
gear very considerably but without any of interest to
the fund in reality. statement d.
surplus OF revelue at the end of the current year. of
larger amount than usual is anticipated in statement G.
no dmlnuon OF the estimated revenue reasonably
be apprehended, except perhaps in the item of North
western bank dividends, which may be more or less az
eced by the late extensive robbery of the of that
Institution. Ii will be by statement F. that there
was at the end OF the year aggregate sum of 1924
81 of undrawn school quotas in the Treasury pon re-
erriDg to the balances this account remaining entirely
unproductive during the last eleven years find their
annual average is $lS,l07 81. Had this fund been in
in fnriu fl,a
have been derived from it, even at an interest of Der
cent only, would, by this time have amounted 10 $40
ooo, 10 say nothing OF the compound accumulation From
such disposition oil II, no inconvenience could result
the school operations, the might at any time be
readily sod should it become necessary for the
oil the quotas, and if small loss was by possibility
10 be sustained by the operation il would be greatly more
than compensated by the profit previously derived
In statement L, compiled from the returns Of the school
commissioners for the year 1881 the pleasing exh-
bted that IN LOG counties and OtonS I6 100 poor chill
dren have attended school during the year OF this num-
Der lo'So received instruction from the schools
oil the country at the cost of $40 cents for each day
actual attendance, and at total expense for each poor
child OF 81 20 including school Jooks Sc and the com.
PeHSdtt0H Qf The officers Of The school
the aggregate expense of the WHOLE being $40 500 o.
In the year 1925, in 80 counties, 9779 children were
or, Tor the whole of 1872 90. 10 thus appears not
only that 6,32I poor children tceTe sent to school
M 1881 that IN 1925 but that the tuition of 100 chill
dren IN 1881 cost So SOB less than 779 children cost in
1925.
lnconcsble evidence afforded by this document that
through the medium of the schools of the State
great progress has been made within few years past
TIE extension TO the INDECENT portion of community
certain degree Of instruction in reading, writing and
arithmeuc instruction, which and in
Terror when compared with that which is afforded semi
naries oil higher grades nevertheless of the last
ing Importance TO the future prosperity and happiness of
this destitute class of fellow citizens Not only does
II enable them TO acquire degree of Information cacua-
ted TO advance them speedily and eTectiav in the
peculiar and humber walks of life TO which thew NAV be
assigned and TO transact matters of business with
ID hal fhp 1pf, "a
way TO distinction in politics. literature, science arts
Tor all OF them who possess extraordinary ambition ge.
mus industry but it unlolds the commonest capsci-
W. the pages OF sacred history, observance of whose
precepts, will assuredy make them virtuous useful and
honorable members Of society.
The abstracts OF the proceedings Of the school commits
oncrs now submitted 10 the general assembly, are un.
douhedy sufficient TO the present system from the
charges OF entire inuhty and ine6fciency which has
been urged against by gentlemen OF high reputation
and great weight in sociey y. With the utmost respect 10
their opinions cannot help thinking that they have not
lived M community in which the utility Of the system
has been properly tested by vigorous and jealous perior
nance on the part OF the school commissioners Of their
duties, on which the whole system depends My own
observation Tor years past proves 10 my mind, that the
objections made, proceed in instances from gentle.
nen who have not Witnessed examined ino lis practi-
cal effects and in others from those who DO not possess
Tue public spirit or energy execute the duties they have
unde' taken to Perform and whO IN fact would never
mink any system perfect unless it contained self ope-
rating principle which, when in motion, would
rtque no iurlhef attention assistance from them.
]
IN the power of the county aud corporation courts in
whom the appointment Of the commissioners vested by
careful aud uniform selection OF gentlemen qualified for
the Office by aud habit, and willing devote
small portion Of their ne aud talents to its duies, to
cure 10 the poor Of the STATE al the advantages contem.
plated by the act Wealth talents responsibility, homes
" or station do noGOHc constitute the necessary ngred.
EMS ~ The character Of school commissioner. These
qualifications Of value only when accompanied by
oesre 20 promote TO the utmost Of his power the educa-
uOn OF INC poo, and the Improvement Of their morals and
ha0,s and by zeaous execution OF the duties attached
70 hi ounce However high his standing in society may
oe, ~ ne entirely neglects his duties even careless
H 'he performance OF them he is unified for the station.