Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-17
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED wEEKI.Y-
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY ~. 1899

names From which il appears there
still exists . deplorsble extent OF isuo.
rance. and that in truth. IL 10 hardly less
Than Il was twenty years ago. when the
seoooi fsnd vas created. The statements,
will be remembered. are partial, not
embracing quite oil the Counties, and are
moreover confined to one rex. The cd t.
ucaiion OF females. IL 10 TO be feared, 10 in
q condition o: much greater neglect. An
abstract OF these statements will be laid
before you. With this notifying cxhi-
o'tion before Us. are we authorised to 70.
" upon the plan now in use, to supply
the pressing demands Of the generation
Just rising into manhood
There are now in the State two hun
dred thousand children between the ages
OF ivc and fifteen. Forty thousand Of
these are reported 10 be poor children !.
and Of them. only one half 10 be attend.
ing school. II may be safely assumed.
mat Of those possessed Of property. sde-
qos'e to the expenses Of plain education.
large number i, growing up in igno.
rance Tor want Of schools within conve.
uient distances. OF those at school. ma.
ny derive little or no instruction, owing
to the incaPscity Of the teachers, as well
as to their culpable negligence and mat.
iention. Thus. the number likely to re
main uneducated. aud grow up without
Just perceptions Of their duties, religious.
social and political. is really Of appalling
magnitude, and such as to appeal with
affecting earnestness TO . parental Iegisla-
ture. is not u comprehensive and well
organized system, with careful and ample
provisions TO carry il successfully into
practice. demanded by the literary desii-
tuition OF so large portion Of our people ?
IL is not 10 be expected that the appro-
Pria'ion nov authorised by law, disiribu.
ted among the several counties, can be
made ehectusl in accomplishing any ge.
neral reformation and il is that conside.
ration which tends to lessen the interes,
felt by the Commissioners, as it does 10
discourage others from acting in that ca
Pacity. whose influence and intelligence
would render them efficient. The sum
IS not sufficient. in some Of the counties
to provide for the poor living in the vi.
cinity Of schools already established, still
less, TO establish them in situations in
which they are needed. and to provide
the means OF preparing q sufIicien, nun.
Der OF competent instructors. At most
u Is capable Of afording only partial re.
lief; and there is too much reason 10 fear
II is rendered yet more inc fIicient by the
loose, irregular and injudicious manner
IN which /; is sometimes applied.
A system Of popular instruction. such
IS Is needed by the State. and within liz
means TO provide. should look as well 10
the class whose revenues are insufficient
to educate their children without some as.
sistance from the State, rs 10 that which
70 more INDECENT; and 10 the gradual in
crease Of the number Of experienced and
qualified teachers. and Of we'll organized
schools. AT present, the former class
may be said 10 be wholly unprovided for,
consisting Of small iand holders, and OILERS,
whose uncomfortable incomes will mol
admit OF their taking upon themselves the
whole charge Of their childIcn's educa.
lion but who are yet able, and might be
relied upon. che, rfully 10 contribute to the
support OF judicious aud compre hensive
system. Schools established and main
iained by private and public contribution.
would be better managed and better al.
tended. than il they were exclusively on
State account; and their advantage,
would not be declined by any from reluci.
anee TO appear IS applicants for assistance
The system which propose, for the inef.
hcient one now IN use, is recommends
by the experience Of several OF our sister
States, and by that OF other countries that
have tried il with distinguished success
IL would require not more than eight
thousand schools, in order 10 place one in
every convenient aud proper location
the locations 10 be selected with reference
TO the accommodations Of The greatest
number. The Eumber Of schools. 10 be
allotted to the counties and the sites which
:hey should occupy. 10 be referred TO the
respective County Courts, under such re.
s:ricsions and directions as 10 territorial
extent and population. that shall be enii.
lied TO ono school. 40 msy be ordained by
law. IL is presumed, that such a pla0
would not involve the necessity Of putting
up any buildings for the purpose Of the
charge Of the Siate-as each Disirici
would consent OF might be required "a
provide one at lie own charge. For lhii
number OF schools four thousand teachers
would probably be sufficient in the com.
meneement, each undertaking the charge
Of two schools. and dividing bis time be.
tween them ss may be directed by Jaw
The compensation Of the teachers, which
would coosiiiuta the meierisl part Of the
charge Of such plan. 20 be made up by
the united contributions Of the public and
Of the districts within which the schools
we're situated; the first by an allowsnce
from The income Of the Literary Fund
the latter, that is, the share which each
district shall contribute. by levy on the
inhabitants. aseertaiDed add distributed
among them 81 the Law shall appoint, and
made pay abls directly 10 the ieachers.-
To ensure the requisite qualifications in
the teachers, their diligence aod fidelity
IN Office. the systematic attendance Of the
children. and for other poinls Of police
sod regulation. q local OF county eogni.
zsnee might be instituted.
l The ao.ossnt "a h. roaffskufaH - ttn