Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-08-15
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST I5, 1888.

sure, and respectfully offer a few considerations
which have influenced US TO Edopt tie resolutions
| now before you.
/. The present plan providing for the poor chill
drsn Of the State, has failed to accomplish the be-
| nevolent purposes of its founders. Since IL went IN
to operation, 20 years since, there appears to have
been but slight if any Improvement in the character
of our primary schools. We have still to lament
the incompetency of many teachers, the slow pro-
gress Of pupils, and the apathy and indifference OF
| the public, evinced among other things, by the in
| convenient, and uncomfortable houses provided for
| Schools, and the inadequate compensation afforded
| Teachers. According to the last message Of the
Governor, it appears that about one-hfth oftlie mar
| riage bonds are signed with q cross, thus e"incing
| the most astonishing degree ofignorance in our com
| munity, and taking this as an index, we do not dis
cover that any advance in intelligence has been
made for 90 years, for the proportion OF cross
mark signatures, was no greater IN 1917, than IN
1887.
The Reports of the second Auditor, show that,
| Notwithstanding his patriotic efforts, to secure reeu-
| larity and system in the details of The present plan
| for educating the poor, there is still prevailing a most
lamentable want o~finterest in this philaa,hropic en-
~terprise.
And, indeed, when from As to 500, 900 have
| bees annually expended for the instruction OF poor
children, not more than one-half OF those entitled
to the privilege, BY poverty, are permitted to ENJOY
il.
Q. The condition Of many children who do not
| come under the law, because their parents pay no
| revenue tax, demands the attention of the Legisla-
ture. Such are the lowest prices OF tuition in our
| Schools of the lowest grade, that but few oil the
small lsndholders can afford their childrens tuition
for any length Of time. And unless children learn
| enough to make their progress pleasant they had
as well not be instructed for they will hardly
- -. l...-.-- xx.,Inkl~ 49, ary trarftrnt ppr-
pose.
3. Though Academies and Classical Schools cx-
list in many parts of our State, and the lberality OF
individuals Of the past and present generations, has
endowed several Colleges, still these institutions
are beyond the reach of large numbers TO whom
their doors might be opened, were the patronage OF
the State so extended to them as to permit a reduc-
ton of tuition fees. And unless more youth can be
well educated, we must despair of seeing better
Teachers for our primary schools. We refer you
to the provisions of bill introduced into the Legs
laturs by Gov. TYLER last winter, for such a view OF
this subject, as want of space comPeis US TO forego
here.
4 There is great reason to believe that more mo-
ney is now actually paid by our citizens, for tuition
in private primary schools, than would be required
10 support such institutions if made public and pro-
vided for by the State. Such has been the expert
ence of other States. The income OF our literary
IuUu duutu W tbC ohiu"eS
made By the people, constitutes a sum nearly one.
third greater than the amount paid by the State and
people Of New York for schooling nearly three tunes
as many children as are scholars in Virginia. The
reason of this is obvious; where a public school Is
opened it is frequented by large numbers, whose
parents could not pay the full price OF tuition'
though they could easily afford the County levy
mode of supporting such schools. And while those
who are in Strengthened circumstances are thus bene-
fitted, the rich are not injured, for the heaviest taxa
ton required could not burden them more than they
are now burdened TO support schools for a lew chii-
dren. But we cannot here enter into details. Tc
invite your candid and impartial attention 10 these
topics.
S. The obstacles of sparse population, high pri-
ces of living and unpopulariIy OF public schools, so
far from discouraging US, should rather excite our
zeal to secure some attention to this subject. for
by proper discussion, we feel confident the public
sentiment will become favorable to legislative ac-
lion, where it is now opposed, and while the hfst
named obstacles must ever remain insupefaoie IN
some portions OF the State, we are persuaded iney
do not exist in many others, as Towns, Villages,
and several Counties, and that in others there are
causes in operation which will soon remove them
We ask you, then, to unite with US IN presenting
to our Legislature such an expression OF sentiment
as will assure it Of popular support, and sustain IL
in such measures for securing the instruction OF our
whole population, as the united wisdom and Patri-
otism OF that body may devise. We presume not
to dictate. We do not now suggest TO the otate
Legislature or to you, any plan for public schools
We feel. however, that It is not presnmptuous TO
solicit your cooperation. If by public meetings
from the Atlantic to the OHIO, and from the poto-
mac to the Holston, public attention be aroused TO
this subject, we feel confident of the issue. The
people OF Virginia need only to be aroused. to IN
sure activity and efficiency in any undertaking.
This subject addresses us as men, as parents, as
citizens, as phiianthropists. Here, all parties can
meet. Here is scope for the most active zeal, and
a field for the display Of the most brilliant talents.
| Here, all classes have an interest-the farmer ana
mechanic. the merchant and manufacturer, the law
! yer and physician, the statesman and divine, can
here meet on common ground. The peace and
prosperity. the honor and dignity OF our venerable
| Commonwealth, and the welfare of our common
country, all urge US to action. The example OF our
sister States, North, South, and West, are inviting
rs onward, and while even the despots OF the old
world are literally providing for the education OF
their subjects, let us not be wanting-iet US not Tor
felt the dear bought privileges bequeathed by our
fathers, by surreHdering ourselves to The despoiism
of Ignorance and the degradation of vice. With
these things, fellow-citizens, we respectfully ask
YOUR vigorous, pI prompt, and united cooperation.
b. w. S !. CABELL,
B. M. SMITH,
WIN. NJ. TREDWAY,
T. r. ATKINSON,
J. NJ. TERRY.