Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-10

plants o. its real or imagined defects, but by
active and persevering efforts to secure the
appointment Of proper agents in its admins
tration. The extent gifts usefulness depends
chiefly on the school commie sioners, and If
we can secure general and faithful execu-
ton Of the laws in their true spirit. It is in
calculable. The public are already indebted
to those commissioners who}have regarded
their stations as they really are, as practically
among the most important urdey ourG6vern-
ment, and who have devoted proper atten-
ton to service involving some trouble and
no pecuniary profit. think it important that
the county courts should attend more strictly
to these appointments, and would recon-
mend, that the powers of school commission
ers should be enlarged, so as to authorize
them TO select annually, from prescribed dis
tricts, certain number of poor boys OF en-
traordiy promise, who shall receive more
complete education at the expense of the Lit
crary fund, and who shall be required in turn
TO reimburse the State, by serving for
limited time in the capacity of teachers in the
primary schools. think it important also,
that the books for these schools should be
selected with more care. Some of those now
in use are designed TO create prejudices in the
minds of our youth against our own lnstitu-
tons.
IL is desirable that correct information
should be possessed by each of the States as
to the institutions and laws of the others and
with a view to this, would suggest the pro-
priety of inviting more general interchange
with the other States OF those documents
which will make us mutually better acquaint-
ed. The most ludicrous and extravaganza eX-
agrerations of our condition, and of the bad
effects of our scheme of public education,
have been published in other States by per-
sons whose ignorance would scarcely excuse
such gross injustice from the press Of the
most distant nations of the earth. In 3,ll9
schools, we have now 26,73 poor children,
at an average annual expense of 81 Oh, While
in 1922 only 3,29S were educated at an aver
age of$7 O3, which shows that as the mum
Der of children deriving the benefits OF the
system has increased, the expenses Of their
education have greatly diminished. The dis
trict schools which have succeeded so well
elsewhere, and are so admirably adapted to
dense population, require large contributions
in aid appropriations from the State. Where
one dollar is expended on this plan from the
means of the State, it has been found neces-
sary to raise several dollars from private
sources and local taxation. 1t nevertheless
furnishes an example worthy OF our attentive
consideration, and perhaps the best means OF
securing its ultimate adoption Will be the ex-
tension of our present plan, until the necessi
private efforts shall cooperate with the public
means to establish schools in every neigh
borlIood which will be accessible to all.
Our university and colleges continue to
maintain their high reputation for learning,
and to dispense the blessings of scientific ed
ucation not only to our own youth, but to
those of many other States.
The university and the great interests of
education, however, have sustained very
serious and melancholy loss in the deaths of
Professor Bonnycastlc and Davis. The lat
ter gentleman has met an untimely and tragi-
cal end, which has deprived his State of a
most useful and valued citizen, and society
Of generous and valued friend. Suitable
arrangements about to be made, 1t is be-
iievoi, by the visitors for conducting the reg
ular exercises in the classes left vacant by
these sad dispensations.
The number of our academies for the in
struction of both sexes is increasing, and the
standard of education has improved with the
supplies OF competent teachers.
The institution for the education of the
deaf and dumb and blind, at iSaunion, has
admitted number of pupils during the past
year, and feel assured from my own obser-
walton that the tutors and officers spare no
pains to fulfil the munifieent designs of the
State. The building has been commenced
on scale commensurate with the character
of an institution literally endowed for such
purposes.
l submit TIE report of the visitors Of the
Virginia military institute, and after person.
al inspection, feel it TO be my duty to re-
commend this institution to your very favour
able consideration. Its officers and nstruc-
tors seem to be peculiarly qualified for their
stations. The school combines the method
and discipline of the camp with the advanta-
ges of the lecture room. 1t is emphaticaly
a State institution, where on very moderate
terms, the benefits Of scientific and practical
military education are impaired to the cadets
of the Commonwealth, and to a number of
young men who detray their own expenses.
found the public arms at the arsenal in ex-
cellent order. The cadets from this institu-
ton will annually be enrolled in our militia,
and will contribute essentially to improve the
present defective organization and discipline
OF this most natural and safe defence of free
country. commend to you the suggestions
of the librarian i'll his last annual report on
the subject of suitable library for this insti-
tuition.
| recommend to your attention the defects
Ill our militia system noticed in the report of
the adjutant general. The exact strength of
our militia can never be aScertained under the
imperfect returns which are now made. 1t
is OF the utmost Importance that the duty of
enrolling and reporting entire force ac-
curately, should be enjoned under adequate
penalties, and that our rank and file should
be distinctly arranged in corps according to
the service for which they are desipned.-
This is perhaps all that is attanable as to the
Of ur ,f,f,0 Il