Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-01-17

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eminent. 1t does not appear to hav
oeen suggested by the recent discover,
Of abuses or mischief, in the system t
winch the country has been so long &C
customed, and under which il has at
!aihed to so large measure CT prosper
| ity. 1t is not recommended BY consid
erations of economy. the security of tn
pubic money, or the lessening of exec
uuve patronage. Nay it is obnoxious {,
the objection, that the expenses of tn
Government would be thereby increa
sed-the public money rendered less Sc
cure and the patronage of the Execu
1--WE greatly augmented.
when the public money is placed il
banks TO the credit of the Government
or ITS agents, it is attended by no charge;
ana there is no other risk than the in.
soivency of the corporations, which
WIN ordinary circumspection in select.
ing the repositories, If risk at all. is
one which our most prudent citizens do
not hesitate to incur in the management
of their own affairs. Onthe other hand
public money in the custody of Govern.
ment agents, must be always insecure,
and no severity of penal. enactm ents a.
galnst de!aul'ers will be likely materially
to diminish the hazard. If, indeed. in
the selection of public agents, the ap>
pointing power was secure against mis-
representations and interested applica.
tons, there would be no difficulty in
finding in any part Of our country com.
petent and faithful officers but that is
not 10 be expected, and there will al
ways be danger that responsible trusts
may be committed to individuals who
have been led to expect them in return
Tor party services
Whilst the ancient and familiar mode OF
keeping the public money is recommended
ny considerations OF economy and security,
II Is not less so for the important reason,
that il avoids the necessity Of charging the
patronage of the Executive. Let the law
perform IFS proper functions in designating
the Banks TO be employ ed, in settling the
conditions OF the agency, und in determin
ing Tor what irregularities or abuses the
privilege shall he iorfened, and there will
be no occasion Tor Executive appointments
or the exercise oil Executive authority. But
II their agency shall be dispensed with, a
troop OF new officers, with salaries and in-
''SS'NS, "ho VIC iIcilidtIOn OI lDe AlTeaut
overgrown influence of the Executive are
unavoidable.-I respectfully submit. that
these views furnish strong, il not decisive
objections 10 the proposed Innovations.
he general Bank Law, which authorized
arenewal of the charters of our banks, and
an addition TO their capitals, was suspended
by an act OF the last General Assembly
The early day at whith the charters Of The
two principal institutions will expire, 1912
suggests the eXped;cncy ci considering
whether any, and what additional legisla>
ton is called for by this interesting branch
OF our public policy. Ny opinions on this
subject have had before occasion respectful,
ly 10 suhmil-,hey remain unchanged
Banks Of discount and circulation | cons
slider greatly useful, If not indispensable a.
gents IN the actual condition of our country,
OF advantage TO every description OF inter
est, and in no sense discordanl or al variance
with The spirit and principles OF our instuu-
tons. They furnish facilities essential 10
The purchase OF our agricultural staples
contribute TO keep up their price-preveni
the monopoly which might grow out Of
large individual wealth, and enable enter
prise and prudence The more readily 10 over.
come The obstacle resulting from The want of
large means. The additions proper 10 be
made TO the existing bank capitals, the pre-.
cautions necessary TO prevent abuses, and
The subject generally, remain with YOU TO
be disposed of as shall seem best for the gen
eral good.
The importance Of an efficient system of
Education, embracing in lis compl ciensiye
and benevolent design the whole population.
cannot be too frequently REQUIRED 10. The
obligation 10 provide such a system, is among
the first duties OF the Legislature. In nv
las! annual message referred to ibis inter.
esling subject, and deeply Impressed with
The urgency OF devising some more efficient
plan than The one now IN operation, veniured
TO recommend the system Of common
schools.
An interval of about twenty years has c.
lopsed since The creation Of the literary
Fund; during which period, forty FIVE thou
sand dollars annually, and Tor few wears
past, a much larger sum has been disribu.
ted among the counties in the proportion cf
their white population. The period would
appear 10 be long enough 10 test The value
OF The means employed To instruct the poor
IN The elements OF IL plain education ; and il
would be gratifying TO find, in the constantly
increasing proportion 0f those who could
read and write 10 those who could not. eyj
depce oil The adaptation 81 the system TO lis
end. u Is 10 be regretted that we are no!
furnished with better means than are readi,
" accessible, TO ascertain how far ii has
Jailed to answer The benevolent purposes o.
lis founders. The known imret fecIions o.
our sources OF Information in this respect. j.
matter OF public concern, 10 which in,
wife your attention. Ny own inquiries have
led me to fear that bot little has been don,
towards the education ofpoor children, ant
that the plan we have is very detective, a