The Delawarean, and farmers' and mechanics' advertiser. (Wilmington, Del.) 183?-18??, 1836-12-17
SCHOOL CONVENTION.

from numerous School Districts in
New Castle county, held at Whining
ton, December Is, 1886, WILLIAM
HALL was chosen President, Thomas
Robinson and VIM. Kennedy, Vice
Presidents, and John Higgins and Jo-
mas Pusey. Secretaries.
Forty-eight School Districts of the
county were represented, and there
were 1873 Delegates in session,
VIM. B. Janvier, from a committee
appointed for the purpose, reported
business for the convention, and the
following proceedings took place.
ResoiUcd, That the establishment
of Public Schools, in all the School
Districts in this State, upon a plan
that will be efTectual and insure their
improvement, is indispensable to the
well being and prosperity of this
State.
The youth of this state ought. as
their birthright, to have within their
power, through the parental provision
of the Government, the means of
good elementary education, SO that
none should be subjected, through the
straitened condition Of parents, or
other unfavorable circumstances, to
iorego the cultivation of mind reQui-
site for their responsibility and useful
ness In this matter the public has
as deep stake as the individual.
Resolred, That the encouragement
that has been afforded 10 public schools
in the school districts, has proved in
sufficient. In mary districts the pro-
vision has been entirely neglected in
several, attempts to establish and sus-
tain schools have failed; and in very
few, if any, has there been the sue
cess which the public good requires.
In all, the interests of common edu-
cation imperiously call for more eff
Client support.
This result is occasioned by the
long neglect of schools, in conse-
quence of which general carelessn, IS
in respect to them prevails. But the
greater the hcedessness of individu-
ais, the greater should be the solicit
tude Of the public respecting this sub
ject, which none can deny is Of vital
importance. Indeed, this heedlessness
is just cause Of anxiety. This APP
athy can be removed only by the be.
nignant care of the Government, in
presenting sufficient inducements to
excite to action, until experience of the
benefits of schools shall convince men
of their duty and interest, to maintain
them.
In respect to raising money in
school districts, for the support Of
schools, it is found, that if voluntary
contribution is relied upon, the issue
is abortivp; and if taxation is resorted
10, the district is .disquieted by uueasi-
ness and complains. if not disturbed
by discord and clamor In conse.
quence there is great Encouragement,
and some of our most substantial citi-
zens, very favorable TO schools upon
principle, refuse further co-opertion in
sustaining them, retiring before the
difficulties.
Under these circumstances the
prospect of our district schools is
gloomy indeed, unless the General
Assembly shall make them the object
of their fostering care. In the state
of apathy and opposition that will
prevail, if greater patronage is moi
bestowed, years must elapse before
our people will learn through expert
ence to appreciate them so as heartily
to unite for their support; and in the
condition Of education thence result
ing, declining population seems lC
he the inevitable consequence. Near
4 ly lnrty-One years ago, in February
l796, the General Assembly manifest
ed their care upon this subject, b,
making the provision that has pro
duced the present school fund. Will
the scanty means in their power. the,
acted literally, doing for this import
ant subject all they could, and evinc
ing by what they did their high es
innate of H. They who, with thei
scanty means, did so much, woult
have done more. had more been il
their power. So much for the pas
generation. The present generation
has merely essayedto apply the mean
which the past provided.
But we have now unlocked fol
means Through the portion Of thi
state Of the surplus money in tn,
Treasury of the United States, distri
butable among the several states, i
will be within the power of the Gene
raj Assembly TO make full provision
for perfccting our system of publ,
schools. 1t is a matter of peculiar
congratnlation, that this accession t.
the public funds should happen afet
public schools have b. come the sub
ject of general interest; and our state
being divided into school districts, tn,
wants of the people in this matter o
vital concern are understood. w,
see our need we have before us til,
means Of its full supply.
The duty of the State to make pro
vision, if practicable full provision for
the elementary education of its youth
is universally acknowledged. They
are its hope, the source of its growtf
and prosperity, Even in the monar
/ chins of Tho II 4 ...o.ll :. l.. L.