Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-21

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and most unwise indeed to grant, aim
as in my opinion, it would, a vital
stab at the prosperity Of the State.
To extinguish effectually all such
designs by establishing at once the po-
Icy of the State OH this subject, it ap-
pears to me desirable that the Legs
lature should take proper measures to
effect the immediate execution OF the
eastern division of the line.
If have not recommended that por-
ton undertaken on State account, it is
by no means from any doubt of its inn
portance, but because it Is quite within
the competency oil private means, pre-
pared to embark in it, to effect.
Should the Legislature concur with
me in the foregoing views, and per-
ceive no obstacle interposed by the con-
tingent right to mako a road between
Richmond and Lynchburg, granted at
its last session, to the James and ka-
nawha Company, | should hope there
will be no difficulty in selecting out of
the several schemes which will doubt
less come under their review, the one
the most conducive to the public good.
There are other interest
ing public works contemplated, and in
course of execution, which will come
under your notice, and which deserve
your liberal consideration. | omit a
more particular reference to them, be-
Il they partake, of the most part,
Of a local, rather than general charac-
ter, and because an examination OF
them would prove tedious, probably to
you, and extend to an inconvenlent
length the present communication.
The great cause of Education, the
mould in which the young and plastic
mind il cas-: in the beautiful proper
tons ofvirtue and usefulness, or stamp.
ed with the ugliness of vice and crime,
will doubtless receive from you that
regard, which the p%aternal solicitude
Of "a Virginia Legislature has rarely
failed to accord.
1t is a topic on which, however CON-
manding its interest, | do not design to
enlarge, but shall limit myself to a ve-
ny few reflections suggested by the act
appropriating the surplus of the Litera-
ny Fund, passed by the last General
Assembly. Virginia, long since, to
her high honor, established a system
of education, at once liberal and COM
~prehensivc, and withal munifcently en-
dowed. 1t was deliberately, cautiously
proceeded with, narrowly scrutinizsd,
and finally, in 1921, when Colleges,
Academies, and intermediate Schools
were provided for, seemed, from the
nice adjustment of its provisions to the
varying measures Of the scholastic
wants of the community, to be accom-
modated to every interest, and to CON-
mand general appreciation. All, at
least were disposed to give it a fair
trial. What less was due to a scheme
thus anxiously elaborated, SO approved
by the wise, and SO interviewer with the
best interests of the Commonwealth ?
That trial has now been in progress
for many years. Primary Schools the
first provided for by the system, and
the University afterwards, have each
long enjoyed, as they we'll deserve to
enjoy the fruits of its bounty. The
period at length arrived, when the ac-
cumulated income ofthe Literary Fund
Schools, Of the intermediate grade,
were by the express and time-sanction-
ed provisions of the system, to partici-
pate in its benefits. A bill, securing to
them the promised advantages, was &C.
cordingly brought before the last Le-
g~islature but this, at a late stage OF
tho session, was supplanted BY another
adding that surplus to the Primary
School Fund, and leaving the interme-
date schools dependent on the favor oil
the School Commissioners, even for
that modicum Of the amount which
should fall to the counties or towns in
which such schools might be situated.
Thus, without any data to shcw the
exclusive or even superior claims of
primary over intermediate schools, has
an important provision Of our WE'LL a-
lanced and long approved State system
of education been defeated, and with
out any opportunity afforded oftesting
t%svalue. Attaching much consequence
to tho provisions.alluded to, and especi.
ally in the view that, by its effect IN
cheapening education at High Schools,
it would afford to youths of limited
means, the only opportunity they can
have of approximating the scholastic
advantages of the more afluent, the
propriety of restoring it to its place in
our system of instruction, is now re.
~spectfully referred toyour elaboration.
The condition of the Finances of the
Commonwealth, always an interesting
head of enquiry, will be found on the
present occasion, to demand from you
more than ordinary considerations
For all details necessary to put you in
full possession of the subject, | respect
fully refer you to the proper officers.
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