Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-01-10

lar instruction was commenced and 1927 and 1882
being at intervals Of ten and twenty years afterwards
The statements shew that the applicants for marriae
licences in 1917, amounted to four thousand six hun
bred and eigbiy-two; OF whom eleven hundred an
twenty seven were unable TO wfite five ,housau
and ity-eight, in 1897, of whom the number una
BILE to write, was eleven hundred and sixty six; an
10 1887, the applicants were four thousand six
hundred and fourteen: and of these, the number
one thousand and forty seven were unable to writ,
their names. From which it appears there still ex
ISIS a deplorabe extent Of ignorance, and that il
truth, II Is hardly less than was twenty years ago
when the school fund was created. The statements
Il will be remembered partial, not embi &C in.
quite all the Counties. and moreover confined IL
one sex. The education OF females, il IS To be fear
ed is in condition of much neglect. An abstract
Of these statements will be laid before YOU. With
this Notifying exhibition before u.s. are we author.
ised to rely upon the plan now in use, supply the
pressing demands Of the generation just rising into
manhood!
There are now in the State two hundred thousand
children between the age OF five and fifteen. Forty
thousand Of them are reported to be poor chdrc n;
aud Of them only one hall, to be attending school.
1t may be safely assumed, that of those possessed
property, adequate to the expenses of plain educa
on large number is growing up in ignorance for
want Of schools within convenient distances. OF
those school, many derive lule or no instruction,
owing 10 the incapacity OF the teachers, well rs TO
their cul pabe negligence and inatteniion. Thus,
The number likely to remain uneducated, and to
up without perceptions OF tnelr uutes re-
ligous social and political, is really OF appalling
magnitude aud such TO appeal with affecting
ncstncss to parental legislature. Is not comprc-
heusivc and well organized system. with aud
ample provisions to carry it successfully Ahto prac-
ticc, demanded by the literary dcsuion OF 50 large
a portion OF our people!
Il i, not to be expected that the appropriation
now authorised by law, distributed among the sever
al counties can be made eHeclual in accomplishing a.
nv general reformation and ii Is that consider IN
Il, ia
nssioners as it does TO discourage Others from act
ing in that capacity, whose influence and intelligence
would render them efficient. The sum is not suii
oent, in some oil the countess TO provide for the poor
living in the vicinity OF schools already established,
still less, to establish them i'll situations in which
they are needed and to provide the means ofprcpar
ing sufflclrnt number of competent instructors
At most it capable of aflording ouy partial relief ;
aud these is too much reason to fear is rendered
yet more inefficient by the loose, irregular and ipju-
dcious manner in whichit is'someilmes applied,
system Of popular instruction. such as is needed
by the state, and within its means 10 provide should
look we'll TO the class whose revenues are INSULT
cien TO educate their chdr en- without some nssist
from the State. as 10 that which is more indi
gent and To the gradual Increase Of the number of
experienced and qualified teachers, and Of well or
eanIZed schools. Al present. the former class may
be said to be wholly unproyided for, consisting of
small landhoders and others, whose inconsde rable
incomes will not admit of their taking upon the m
but who are yet able and might be relied upon,
oheerlnlly TO contribute TO the support Of udlcous
and comprehensive system. Schools established
and maintained by private and public contributions
would be better msnaged and better attended, than
II they were exclusively State account: and
their advantages would not be declined by any nom
reluctance 10 appear as applicants for asslstance.-
The system which Propose, for the inefficient,
in use, is recommended by the experience of
sister States, aud by that OF other countries that
have tried 1t with distinguish success. Ii would
require not more than eight thousand schools in
order to place in every CONVENIENT and proper
locaronthe locations to be selected with reference
10 the accommodation OF the greatest NUMBER
The number of schools, to be allotted To the couu-
ties and the sites which they should occupy To be
tered 10 The respective County Courts. under the
restrictions and directions TO the territorial ex-
tent and population, that shall be entitled TO one
school, may be ordained by law. 1t is presumed
that such plan would not involve the necessity of
tu,ting up any buildings for the purpose III the
charge If the State--as each District would consent
nj ght be required to provide its charge
For this number of schools four thousand teachers
would probably be sufficient in the Commencement
each undertaking the charge of two Schools and di-
~dtng his time between chem as may be directed by
law. The compensation OF the teachers, which
would constitute the material part of the charge Of
such a plan, TO be made up by The united contrhu-
tons of the public aud OF the districts within which
abe schools situated the first by allowance
from the income OF the Literary Fund Z; the latter
that is the share which eac! district shall contribute
by levy the inhabitants, asceriained aud dis,rbu
ted among them as the law shall appoint, and made
payable directly TO the teachers. To ensure the
qusite qualifications in the teachers, their diligence
and fidelity in office, the systematic attendance Of
the children, and for other points of police and
gulation, local or county coguizance might be in
STUFFED
The amount to be contributed by the literary fund
under such plan, would depend upon the extent TO
which it might be thought advisable to carry the
contributions by levy. An annual appropriation Of
two hundred thousand dollars would probably an
swer at least in the commencement. That portion
Of the income OF the literary fund now applicable to
the education of poor children. may be estimated al
seventy thousand dollars but it is within The pow
er OF HE Legislature TO increase it, by giving for the
present, that direction 10 the Interest the surplus
revenue derived from The General Government, aud
in other modes. And this may be done without in
-r,ering with appropriations oro,h,r objects intend
tn,lssay the Legislature.
This brief outline may suffice TO explain general
ty the plan which have deemed it my duty To sug
gest, to which have only to add that il II shall
tract the favorable notice of the General Assembly,
and they shall be desired. my views of the details
oithc system will be most cheeffully communicated.
1t will be remembered that this interesting sub
ject, IS important TO act promptly. as each years
delay closes the avenue TO education upon the null
ttudc who yearly succeed to the rcspol sbilies and
trials Of active life.
An opportunity offered the members Of the
last General Assembly to witness the success Of the
means which have been employed for the education
1.-THE blind and of deaf mutes. None who witness
sed spectacle that appeaed wjtE such touching