Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-07

a"'ehatIehts 10 The law as Mould secure mare full and
accurate returns of the strength Of the militia, and of
liz hhhioef und condition of the arms in their posses
siGu.
The waste Of the public arms i , subject. vh;cI, do
mands The inierpnsItion Of the Legislature. Under the
existing laws, II is the duty of the Ex,cutiy. 10 allow
arms and ncc"n,F'menis Ia such volunteer companies
as appear from Tine certificate of the commandanl III The
regiment 10 which lhcy are attached, To have the 70.
I''s'e number OF mcn uniformed as required BIZ las.
h'tty 'nducement should be afforded these com onirs,
10 s'''nu'"'e them TO become efficient and permanent,
particularly IN The present condition OF the m,litia.-i
bnt su',aoie provision should be made for the prcse rva.
lion and return of the arms. when from, nuv cans. /,
company Is u'spa"aeu. AT present, ,ncti n result is
followed ny an almost tntni loss Of the aius: their rood
order ceases to he an object Of attention. s.,o u, nm.
tilated or become worthless by Neglect. o.L.,.,-. Inc,
mislaid, or removed from the county; bu, f.w ~ 80,
returned 10 the State, aud those few reanire \ No,
expense Ia render them ut Tor service. Under c.rcur.
stances like these, and considering that their ,ransp RI.
alton is attended with a heavy cost, additional restric-
tons upon new issues of arms might, conceive, be iu.
d,ciously imposed. Ii would be 10 the interest Of The
State also, 10 require, under suitable penalties, the Off
Ger last in command of any ~disbanded company 10 make
10 some designated officer a full return oil all members
oil his company who may be in possession OF any pub
lie arms and announcements. If the Brigade Inspectors
be re-appointed, they might be required to enforce TINS
regulation, and 10 collect and transmit annually all sucll
arms and a~ccoutrements Ia the public nrsenals. 1his
or some other change in the present law IS deemed
highly necessary To guard the public interests.
II would pcrlap be impossible to devise any plan
which would render the whole bndy of the militia, IN
time of peace, eff ctual for purposes Of war, without
suhiscting the people to greater personal Inconvenience,
or 10 heavier taxation, than they ought 10 cndnre. !
can see no difficulty, however, in executing, with some
notifications, The plan suggested in thu report OF the
Adjutanl General. II in lieu of the company musiers,
which are now attended with little benefit either 10 OIL
tcers or prlvaics, one company Of the line from each
regiment, completely armed and equipped, were annu
ally detailed for service, an Elite Corps of at least ten
thousand men, exclusive oil voimnteers) might be
formed; who, al short notice, would be ready Tor any
emergency. Their equal distribution throughout the
Commonwealth, would facilitate the speedy c"nccntra-
ton of n considerable force al any pointo OF rendezvous
These companies should be required TO muster at stated
periods, and one of the musters should be with The OH
GERS on the last day Of their annual Trimmings. This r.
q%uirement would afford n sufficient number on these
occasions, 10 execute battalion evolutions, n correct
idea Of which can now scarcely be obtained from the
small number who usually attend. The additional IN
terest thus impaired would no doubt be productive ofa
salltary effect. The rrgimcntal muster would be the
only one, which our policy need require Of the body OF
the militia. That muster would be necessary tor the
purpose of making the annual detail ms suggested, oi
asccr,aining the strength of each regiment, and pre-
serving the military organization of the State. The
Elite Corps of the preceding year might then be re-
CURED, under suitable penalties, to deliver to their sue.
cessors, in good order, the arms in their possession,
after which, each company comprising 'h's corps
might be exempt in time Of peace from all duty excerpt
the reginiental muster, until every other company OF
the line in the regiment had performed n corresponding
service. This plan, it is believed, would be less bur
densnme To the body of The militia, less onerons upon
the Treasury, and every way more effective. There
would a; least be one company in each regiment to CO.
operate with the volunteers IN rendering minute ser.
vice 10 the State.
In connection With the subject Of the militia, il
seems proper that the attention of the General Assem-
bis should be called 10 the condition and prospects Of
the Military institute at Lexington. The annual re-
port of the visitors Of that institution, which | conmu.
nicate herewith. presents a Aattsring view Of its bene
Gcinl results. The opportunity il affords Tor The nc
! qn;rrinent and diffusion of military science, and The
protection il gives TO the public property al the I.cxing.
ton arsenal, render It peculiarly valuable. Its -rn-
diates, if selected az officers of the militia, and rs III.
structors IN tactics and discipline, may be OF essential
service 10 the State. Through tlrir agency, n proper
spirit may be infused among the officers, and new sig"r
impaired 10 our military system. For these and other
considerations, The Military Institute is eminently en-.
titled II the patronage and liberal endowment Of The
Legislature.
BY the act Of the Sth March last, the President and
Directors Of tho Literary Fund were instructed to re-
port to the Legislature a School System, 10 rccure the
benefits Of education to the people OF this Common
wealth. The report has not yet been prepared, but will
be submitted TO your consideration al an early day.
No subject which may occupy the attention oi The
General Assembly, can be Of more vital importance 10
the hest interests of the State. II il be desirable 10
lessen crime, and purify the public morals, to advance
the cause of religion and perpetuate the blessings ofour
free institutions, the surest mean IS 10 %enlGhten the
great body Of the people. To rescue from ignorance
and vice thousands, who, for want Of timely instruction,
may be lost 10 sncIeiy, md 10 render them useful 10
themselves and 10 their country, is the dictate alike of
humanity aud sound policy. IL is gratifying 10 per-
ceive throughout various sections Of the Common.
wealth recent manifestations of public interest in this
important subject. Happily great unanimiiy prevails
as 10 the cxpcdicncy Of %atFordlng every facility FIR the
general diffusion Of Education. The only question
about which there can be diversity Of opinion, Is as 10
the mode Of accomplishing. this desirable end. Virginia
has already effected much BY her liberal policy and
her failure 10 realize MI the benefits anticipated from
her present system Is attributable, perhaps as much to
its inc efficient execution, as 10 lis defects To extend,
however, to ali classes ni society, the lncsti'nahle bless
ings of education, requires an augmentation OF the
fund devoted 10 this object. In wha. manner il should
br incrras, d, whether by appropriations from the Urea.
sury,-by a specific tax imposed by the Legislature, or
by the voluntary act ofthe counties, are all questions for
consideration. In my estimation, II will be most ad-
isable IN authorize each county, with the consent Of
he people previously obtained, 10 raise such sum, as
with the present allowances from The Literary Fund
and voluntary contributions, will be sufficient for the
object IN view. This power would enable every pnr-
ton Of the Commonwealth to adapt its policy 10 It's Pc
culiar position and circumstances. The operation OF
VARIOUS causes, in I territory so extensive and DIVERSE
fed as ours, may render that appropriate in one conn
~, winch would be inexpedient in another. The
sparse population, the distances 10 travel, the local diff
culties TO encounter, The pecuniary resources OF the
people, in some sections of the State, won!d not justify
the imposition OF any additional tax, ard the nppro-
priation already made might be sufficient. In other
sections, a different condition would warrant a more
extensive plan, and a much larger expenditure. The
people IF each, county would judge of their own wants,
and the fact that The amount TO he raised would he ex-
pended for the benefit of the county, wonld cause II I"
be more c~!rerIully paid, and induce a strict supervision
of its administration. 1T would be further advisable 10
authorize the application Of the amount thus raised,
either 10 The primary schools, or to any academy within
the limits Of the county, as might be deemed most tx.
pedient by the school commissioners.
Ipb.fIer Tho nracent sustpm hp cnnfinue6. and these
CT other notifications be made, or a new system he
thought more advisable, it should be a cardinal object,
that while by adequate remuneration competent teach
ers are selected, the cost Of tui,inn shall be SO reduced
ms TO bring the advantages of education within The
reach of the most INDECENT. While ample provision
should be made for The primary schools, our colleges and
academies, especially the latter, shoald not be neglect
ed. The Unlyersty has received a liberal endnwmeni