Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-05-08

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children of the poor.
The money fund does not much exceed
100000. Only part of i; bears inter
est; and that portion which does, might as
well remain in bank as to be invested as i,
now is. The state is the borrower; the
interest must be paid, if paid at all. by the
people; it must come to a tax at last, and
there are but faint shades of difference he
tween a tax to pay interest on school
iund, and direct tax to support schools.
The establishment of common school
system, and the proper management of the
school fund as connected with it, are SUBJ
jects second in Importance to none. They
have freqently been introduced to the at
tention of our legislature, but to little ef-
iect These questions were briefly dis
cussed by governor Reynolds, in his mes
sage to the legislature of 1880. There is
much Propriety and force in his remarks
which we shall take the liberty of quoting
SIN the whole circle Of your Legislation;
there is no subject that has a greater
claim upon your attention, or calls loud
er for your aid, than that of education.
Whether viewed in relation to our free
institutions of government, or in rela
ton to the individual happiness of the
people, no subject eau more seriously
engage your deliberations.
Upon the mere mention ofthe subject
you will recognize all the advantages
arising from il; and therefore will adopt
such system as our means, and the
condition Of our country will justify.
Congress has given US the means by a
wise course Of legislation in regard to
them, TO establish some system, that will
lie highly beneficial. Besides the three
per cent. school fund, now amounting to a
considerable sum we have the sixteenth
section in every township of the public
land, within the state, and two entire
|tdwnships, for the purposes of education.
Some Of these lands at this time, are I'M
productive, and from which, no immedi-
ate revenue can he realized. A proper
appeal TO the justice Of congress would.
no doubt, eventuate in obtaining other
lands in lieu of them. Therefore, |
would suggest to your consideration, the
propriety Of memorial TO congress on
the subject. 1t is clearly my opinion,
that some Of the avails this fund ought
to be used at the present lime. The
present inhabitants Of the State, have a
better right to its benefits, than those
who may succeed us.-They have sui
fered all the privations, dangers, and
hardships, attendant upon the settlement
}ef II new country. and are entitled, in
common justice, TO the favor of tha,
country. ~
Although the future race of people,
and their interest, ought not to be over
looked in legislating on this subject, yet
we ought more to regard the youth, now
growing up in our country; and exterd
to them such aid and encouragement IN
the fundamental principles of education
as our means will Justify. tits to then
e""' tuC iutubC IoItuucS VI ttle Stdtb
will be committed. They will direct il
movements, control its politics, and
guide its destinies. Therefore, it is all
important, that they should be instruct
ed, and that their intellectual growth
should keep pace with their physical"
In compliance with these recommends
lions, some movements were made towards
establishing school system; yet nothing
was effected. The subject was again
brought before the legislature by governor
Reynolds with a zeal truly laudable, in his
message Of 1892. We quote few passages
below. In the legislature of 1882, the
school fund and the establishment Of a
school system, we're made topics of fire.
quent angry debate; yet nothing was &C.
complished beyong borrowing las was al
most indispe nsable) the small portion of
The fund which then remained available,-
and thus the matter rests. These things
ought to be thought of between this time,
and the first Monday in August.
"The establishment Of a system of
common schools is ofthe creates. impqr,
lance to the people; and is, Of all the
measures, which can present for your
consideration, the most difficult to &C.
complish. BY establishing system a