Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-21
DISTRICT EDUCATION CONVENTION.

yreeabiy 10 previous notification, in the Lecture
Dom OF the Presbyterian Church, in the town
Lexington, on Thursday the 7th day Of Oc-
ober, 1871.
The Convention was called to order by Gen'l.
;. p. Dorman, Of Rockbridge, and on his motion
ames Mcdowell, Esq. delegate from Rock
ridge. and from the Elucation Convention at
Harrisburg, was unanimously elected President
It the Convention.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Mcdowell return
I'd his Acknowledgements to the Convention, for |
Tho honor conferred upon him.
On motion of Rev. B. NJ. Smith, of Augusta,
DIR. John X. Moore, Of Augusta. and Col. Francis
III. Smith, Of Rockbridge, were appointed Secre-
taries to tho Convention.
The names Of the Delegates being called, the
following answered TO their names /:
Augusta-Rev. VIM. Brown, Rev. John Hen
dren, Rev. John A. Vanlear, Rev. T.. Thomas,
Rev. Benz nj. Smith, Rev. James Paine, Doctor
John X. Moore.
Bath-Rev. Samuel Brown, James Ruckman.
Clarksburg observation-disclosures Mcdowell.
Rockbridge-Renry Ruifner, ID. d., Colonel
+. III. Smith, James Mcdowell, VIM. Houston,
Rev. James Morrison, Rev. ]. ID. Ewing, Rev'd.
ii. Thompson, Robert White, Major J. II. l..
Preston, Col. A. r. Barclay, Gen'l. Charles
A. Leyburn, Rev. A. B. Davidson.
On motion, the following named gentlemen be-
ing present, were invited to take seats in the
Convention:
Rev. >. X. III ouSton, OF Greece.
Augusta-CharIes Patrick, Samuel Finley.
Rf ExodRkpfhfJse=N. n. earuthers, Doctor ]. Nc.
Chung, H. Is. Jones, Professor p. Calhoun, Prof.
G. Il. Dabney, Rev. John Skinner, Rev. c.. Ty-
rec. Rev. S. ID: Campbell, Major J. Alexander,
J.W. Brockenbrough.
Botetourt-Rev. Henry Paine.
On motion of Maj. ]. Il. l.. Preston,
Resolved, That the business Of the Convention
be opened with praycr.-Whereupon kcv. John
HeuHrpn an, ata
On motion Of DR.. Ruffner,
Resolved, That the President appoint Com
the consideration Of the Convention.
Henry Ruflner, ID. d., ID. NJ, Smith, Samuel
Brown, J. Il. l.. Preston and f. III. Smith were
appointed the Committee.
While the Committee were preparing subjects
for the consideration Of the Convention, the me-
mortal of the Clarksburg Convention to the Lee
gslature OF Virginia was received through DR..
Rutfner, and read to the Convention.
DIR. RuHner, from the Committee of Five made
the following report:
The Committee recommend to the Conven-
ton the adoption of the following Resolutions
i. That the present system of Common School
Education in Virginia is detective inefficient and
ought to be abolished.
3 That Committee of five be appointed to
draw up Memorial to the General Assembly of
Virginia, recommending
LIST. The adoption Of the District Free School
System.
Cd. This system should be supported by taxa.
ton.
Sd. That 1t should be optional with the coun-
ties as to adoption, but binding when adopted.
=, Alter some discussion upon the report of the
Committee, the Convention took a recess until g.
p. NJ.
3O'CLOCK, P. M.-Conventon met pursu-
ant to adjournment.
The Report of the Committee was further dis
cnssed by Or. Ruhner, b. Nj. Smith, Gen. G.. p.
Dorman, Major Preston, ]. ID. Enos, f.. Thomas
and Coi. Smith, when on motion recess was
taken until o'clock.
7OCLOCK.-Convent assembled.
Alter discussing the various substitutes offered
10 the Report OF the Committee, the following
Resolutions were adopted by a majority of the
meeting as the sense Of the Convention
Resolved l, That the present provision nv
law, for the education of the poor is inade1uate
as az system Of Common School Education. and
ought to be revised and amended
Resolved 2, That Committee of five be an
pointed to prepare Memorial to the Legislature.
recommending
1. The adoption of an organized system of
schools wherever the population is sufficiently
dense; the schools to be under proper superinten-
dence, and the system TO provide for the educa-
tlon of all the free white children of the State.
=. That IN addition to the Literary Fund and
me portion OF Virginia in the proceeds of the
sales OF the public lands, the school system should
be aided by tax on property for the purpose of
reducing tuition fees.
Sd. The above Committee present with the
Memorial, detailed plan, or plans for the a.
mendlnent OF the present system of Common
school Education, substitute therefor, or
Doth, as shall In their opinion meet the wants of
the people Of this State.
The President appointed the following gentle
men as members of the Committee provided in
the foregoing resolutions
:, Henry Ruifner, ID. ID. Rev. b. NJ. Smith, Col.
Francis II. Smith, Major j. r. l.. Preston Prof
u. ID. Armstrong.
On motion, James Mcdowell, ESQ., was added
TO the above Committee
On motion of Benjamin M. Smith,
Resolved, That the Delegates in the General
assembly from the counties represented i'm the
convention, be respectfully requested TO pre-
sent the Memorial of the Convention.
On motion of Col. f. III. Smith,
Resolved, That 1t be recommended to the peo-
pie OF this State, to hold GENERAL CoYyrNTroN
on the subject of Popular Education, in the Cry
OF RICHMOND, on the ID THURSDAY IN Drcrupr,
NEXT.
On motion of B. M. Smith,
Resolved, That the Convention to assemble in
Chrstiansburg be requested to give such time to
lne consideration of the subject Of Education as
their other duties will permit
On motion of Gen. Dorman
Nesoived, That the proceedings Of this meetuo
ne Published In the papers of the CITY of Rich
Inond, and OF the towns of Stanton Fincas,le
Lynchburg and Lexington.
On motion Of b. NJ. Smith.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convor,;o,
be pres eItod TO James Mcdowell. Eso'r. for the
aDle and dignlled manner in which he has presi |