Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-08

and fourteen; and Of these the number of thousand
aud forty unable write their From
which it appears there still exists depluabe extent Of
ignorance and that in truth il is hardly less Than it was
twenty years ago. when the school fund created
The statements, it will be remembered partial, not
embracing quite all the counties, and are moreover con-
fined 10 The education of females, it is 10 be
| feared is in condition of much greater neglect. An
abstract OF these statements will be laid belnre you -
| With this Notifying exhibition before u.s. are we au-
thosed to rely upon the plan in use, TO supply the
pressing demands Of the generation just rising into man
| hood
There in the State two hundred thousand
children between the ages of five and fifteen. Forty
thousand Of these reported to be poor children and
OF hein only half TO be attending school, 1t may
be sairy assumed that Of those possessed OF property
adequate to the expenses Of plain education, large
number is growing in ignorance for want OF scoos
within convenient distances or those at school, many
derive lille or instruction. owing To The lncapacity
OF the Teachers well to their Gu pnbe negligence
| and lnatention. Thus, the number likely to remain
uneducated, and 10 grow up without Just perceptions oil
their duties, religious, social and political, is really OF
appalling magnitude, and such 10 appeal with Affect
ing eanestness 10 parental Legislature. Is not com
Prehcnslve and well organized system with careful and
ample provisions to curry successfully into practice,
demanded by the literary restitution Of large por
ton of our people,
1t is not 10 be expected that the appropriation
authorised by law, distributed among the several
ties, be made electua in accomplishing general
reformation; and is that consideration which tends to
lessen the interest felt by the Commissioners il does
to discourage others from acting in that capacity, whose
influence aud intelligence would render them efficient
The sum is not sufficient, in of The countless TO
provide for the poor living in the vicinity of schools al
ready established, still less, TO establish them in sua
lions in which they needed and 10 provide the
OF preparing sufficient number OF competent instruct
AT most it is capable of aording only partial re-
lief and there is too much fear is rendered
yet inefficient by the loose, irregular and in udi
cious manner in which it is sometimes applied.
system OF popular instruction, such as is needed by
| he Ntatn Nm ito IN do dInnk
well the class whose insufficient TO educate
their children without assistance from the State,
10 that which is more ndigent and 10 the gradual in
crease Of the number of experienced and qualified teach
ers, and Of well organized schools. Al present. the for
class may be said 10 he wholly unprovIded for,
sstng Of small andholders and others, whose nconsi
derabe incomes will not admit Of their taking upon them
selves the whole charge OF their chidrens education;
but who yet able and might be relied upon, cheer
fully TO contribute TO the support OF udlcous and COM
piehensive system. Schools established and maintained
by private and public contributions would be better
mayed and better attended, than if they exclusively
State account and their advantages would not be de-
clined by any liom reluctance to appear applicants
for assistance. The system which PROPOSE for the in.
efficient in uSe is recommended by the eYpe.
Of several of our sister States and by that Of other
countries that have tried it with distinguished success
II would require not than eight thousand schools
in order 10 place one in every convenient and proper To-
caon-the locations 10 be selected with reference TO the
| accommodations Of the greatest number. The number
OF schools 10 be allotted 10 The counties and The sites
which they should occupy, 10 be referred 10 the respec
tive County Courts, under such restrictions and di.
rections 10 territorial extent and population, that
shall be entitled 10 one school ns may be ordained
by law. 1t is presumed, that such plan would not
involve the necessity Of putting up any buildings for
the purpose at the charge OF the Salcas each District
would consent or might be required 10 provide one
al its own charge For Tins number OF schools four
thousand teachers w"uld probably be sufficient in
The commencement each undertaking the charge Of two
schools and dividing his time between them as may be
directed by law The compensation of the teachers,
which would constitute the material part Of the charge
Of such pun be made up by the uncd contributions
Of the public and of the districts within which the
schools situated: the first by allowance from
the income of the Literary Fund.- The latter, that is, the
share which each district shall contribute, by levy
The inhabitants, asCertaned and distributed among them
the law shall appoint, and made payable directly 10
the teachers. To the requisite qualifications in
the teachers, their diligence and fidelity in office, the
Systematic attendance Of the children, and for other
points OF police and regulation, local county cogni
zance might be instituted
The amount 10 be contributed by the Literary fund
under such plan, would depend upon the which
it might be thought advisable carry The contributions
by levy. An annual appropriation OF S2OO,OcO wouc
probably answer, at least i'll the commencement That
portion the income Of the Literary fund appcu
bic the education Of poor children, may be estimated
al $40 0O0 but is within The power OF The Legislature
to it, by giving for the present. that direction 10
the interest The surplus revenue derived from the
General GOVERNMENT and in other modes. And this
may be done without interfering with appropriations for
other objects intended by the Legislature
This brief outline may suffice explain generally the
plan which have deemed 1t my duty u suggest, 10
which have only to add that il 1t shall attract the ia
vorabe notice Of the General Assembly, and they shall
be desired, my views OF the details OF the system will
be most cheeriuly communicated II will he remem.
bered that this interesting subject it is important 10
act PROMPTLY each years delay closes the 10
education upon the multitude who yearly succeed to
responsibilities and trials Of active life.
An opportunity afforded The members Of the las!
General Assembly 10 witness the Of the means
which have been employed for the education Of the bind
ard Of deaf mues. None who witnessed spectacle
that appealed with such touching interest the sympa
thies and generous feelings OF our nature, could fail TO
cherish cordial desire that all who thus afflicted
should have their calamity amcllorated and relieved by
becoming the objects OF similar instruction Worthy 10
be regarded Of The nobest umphs of successful
invention the art by which the treasures Of revealed
wisdom science and all the attractive accomplishments,
are brought within the grasp Of the most destitute and
pess and for that reason the most Interesting OF The
human family
An act was pissed by both branches Of the Legisla
lure, making ample provision for school for this class
of but the law remains imperative because
Of the failure to designate location Tor the school.
respectfully invite your attention 10 the subject, in
The hope that you may approve the oct OF your prede
cessors and supply the omission.
1t is belle there in the State, Of proper age
enter such institution not less than three hundred,
and perhaps more. If the number Of citizens
were in situation Of peril, from which the Com
monweah could extricate them she could not be PEE
vented from going to their relief, by considering lie
charges that would attend H. And shall decision less
generous and just prevail towards those who depend
their more fortunate fellow men, for whatever mit.
gae the severity of their condition. and open to them the
sources of intelligence and usefulness
Similar institutions elsewhere have been established
in or near to large cities. And when remember that
such location favorable 10 the sale of the articles Of
manufacture the product Of The workshops attached 10
the school, 10 the attendance Of discriminating and
specialize assembly upon The repeated exhibitions which
ndy tn ilcrpb 4
feeling Of emulation in the school, eSerting sautary
influence on the principles and diifusIng knowledge
of the means employed, and their success and remem:
Der also that the persons duly qualified 10 take charge Of
the institution mus, be looked for in The ctes and would
probably be unwilling 10 90 into the country without e1.
ayarant ompensalIon, it would appear advisable 10