Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-08-01
DEFERRED ARTICLES.
From The Ddnriiie Reporter, July II.
POPULAR INSTRUCTION.


vile and its vicinity convened IN tho Presby
Church on the evening OF July 4th. 10 consider the
pioprley of making some public expression etiheir
opinion, on the necessity OF a system OF Pubic
Sehnols IN the State of Virginia,
Gen. Il. w. ). Cate was appointed chairman,
Dr.. N. 4. Green first, and James Garland, Esq Sc
eond Wee President aud Mr.. l.. NJ. Fitch Sec.
tetaiy.
Tue object of tho meeting was briefly explained
by Col Geo Towncs, knd the following preamble
and resolutions offered by Rev b. NJ. Smith. inner
full discussion by the mover. aud by Col Towne
and Whi'mel I. Tunstall, Esq were unanimously
adopted
Whereas well digesied system of Public lnstrue.
ton is generally believed 10 DO highly important 10
the welfare of ever, Sune--md whereas tho State
Legislature, being the creature at The people, is
subject 10 The influence OF public opniou being des.
tous 10 contribute our mlte 10 reformation aud ex-
preston oisuch public sentiment shah insure
and sustain some proper Legislative action on the
subject ui Public Instruction; Therefore,
Resolved, /. Thai III opinion, The funds NJ The
disposal oiihe Legislature ogether with the
furnished by private contributions. are abnndanily
ample TO sustain system OF Public Instruction,
which shall afford The means of procuring good
English education 10 every child IN the Common.
wealth. and that II IL incumbent ON the Legislature
forthwith 10 provide such system.
.. While leave to the Legislature The details of
n system Il Public Instruction, we most respectful
~ urge on rs attention, the importance oi making
special provision Tor the education Of Teachers,
and the erection OF school houses well supplied
with suitable furniture.
3. Tint Committee Of 10, five Of whom shall
constitute quorum. be forthwith appointed, whose
duty II shall be, !. To call meeting OF the people
ol tins county, TO be held NJ the Conf house some
time pfevio us 10 the meeting OF The next General
Assembly. .. To prepare concise address 10 our
fellow eltizens setting forth the importance of the
subject whose interests we desire 10 promote, and The
great utility of popular meetings for securing lces
Ian md A
ings TO gentlemen IN various sections Of the State.
who they may suppose will take an interest IN pto
noting their object.
i. That he proceedings Of this meeting, with the
address OF the committee be published IL the Dan
vile Reporter, and that their insertion IN the Rich
monJ, Norfolk, Petersburg aud l.ynchburg papers
be respectfully requested.
Resolved, That the chairman Of this meeting be
a member Of the committee, aud that he be permit
ted TO appoint the other members oithe same. The
meeting then adj iuned.
d. w. S. CABELL, Chairman.
l.. NJ. Fireu, Secretary
Committee OF ~ WAS appointed under the 81
Resolution Gem Cabell (appointcd by the meeting.)
Rev. Il. NJ Smith Jas. Garland, w. NJ. Tredway,
]. NJ. Terry Esqrs and Dr. +. Z. Atkinson 10 write
the address, aud send copies Of The proceedings TO
any gentlemen in the State whom they may select ;
aud Col, George Townes, Maj. ID. H. CLARK, DR.. N.
I. Green, DIR. W. l.. Graham, J. M. White aud
G. H. Gilmer, Esqrs. to call public meeting OF
ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENS OF
VIRGINIA.
FELLOW CIrIzENs-The object Of this address is
10 secure your active cooperation IN promoting the
design Of those who appointed us, presented IN
the foregoing resolutions.
We do not presume, you perceive. 10 .rpcst
10 The Legislature any definite plan OF procedure.
10 the matter to which respectfully solicit it's at
ention. We content ourselves with urging on that
body the proprieiy aud necessity Of adopting rs
rs possible, some efficient system Of Public In
iinctIon.
We invite YOU TO unite with us in this inca.
sure, and respectfully offer few considerations
which have influenced us TO adopt the resolutions
now before you.
!. The present plan Of providing FOR the roor
children OF he Slate, has failed 10 accomplish the
benevolent purposes OF its founders. Since in
10 operation 20 years since, there appears TO have
been but slight II any improvement IN the ehafac
Ter Of our primary schools. We have still TO lament
the incompeency 0i many teachers, the slow progress
Of pupils, aud the apathy and indifference Of the
public, eyinee5, among other things, by The ineoD
venicnt aud uncomfortable houses provided for
Schuuls aud the inadequate compensation afforded to
Teachers. According to he last message of the
/ Governor. il appears that about Que flIh Of the
marriage bonds signed with cross, thus eyin-
cling the most astonishing degree OF ignorance in
our community and taking this an index, we do
/ not discover that any advance in intelligence has
been made or % years for the proportion oil cross
mark signatures was no greater IN lel1 than III
1887
The Reports OF the Second Auditor show that
notwithstanding his patriotic efforts secure reg
ularlty and system IN the details of the present
plan for educating the poor there is still prevailing
mos amentabe want OF interest in this philanthopic
enterprise.
And indeed, when from As to 100000 have been
annually expended for The instruction Of poor clnl
drcn not more than one half OF those entitled TO
the privilege by poverty, are permitted to enJoy II.
o The condition Of many children who do not
come under the law, because their parentsp pay no
revenue tax demands the attention OF The Leg'sla-
nre Such are the prices OF tuition ~ our schools
Of the lowest grade that but few of the small land
holders can afford their ch,ldren's tuition for an,
length Of time. A nd unless children learn enough
to make their progress pleasant, they had as well no
, be instructed; for they will hardly make 'hei
learning available for any practical purpose.
3. Though Academies aud Classical School
exist in many pars of State and the Iality
individuals of the past and present generations la
endowed several Colleges, still these institutions ar
, beyond the reach OF large numbers TO whom thei
doors might be opened, the patronage Of III
State so extended 10 them as to permit reduction
of tuition fees Aud unless youth can be wei
educated. must despair of seeing better Teach
: ers for primary schools Wereier you 10 III
provisions OF bill Introduced into the Legisatur
a by Gov. Tyler last winter, FOR such view Of thi
subject, Of space compels us to forego here
q. There is great reason believe that more mo
ney is actually paid by our citizens, for tuiiio
in private primary schools, than would be require
10 support such institutions if made public and pre-
= yded for by the State. Such has been the .exter
ence Of other States. The income Of our eral
fund, added to the estimated payments FOR tutio
made by the people, constitutes sum nearly or