Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-17
From tho Compiler, Dec. Ia
EDUCATION CONVENTION.
COMMON SCHOOLS.

EDUCATkON CONVENTION.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The following 10 the report OF the committee on
Common Schools ss amended and finally adopted
by the Convention:
The COMMITTEES to whom was referred the sub
Get Of primary education, respectfully present the
oliowisg Report, AZ constituting a suitable expires.
sion OF the views Of the Convention.
In every nation under the government Of ropub.
lean institutions proper regard to national pros.
perity aud individual welfare, requires that every
citizen should possess such education will
enable him to know and appreciate his rights to
pursue his search foe know ledge far az his cir
eunstanses In life m,y permit, and to discharge in
his appropriate sphere. tho dutes Of q citizen.
Were such an educ ,,ion one NJ those wants, whose
demands, according 10 well known principle Of po.
Ii,,cal economy, would create supply, IL nigh,
safely lie le the operation Of that principles but
unfortunately the more aggravated the want, the
more enhanced is the dsculty Of supplying a rene
dy Aid must come from without.
To the government Of a State belongs the duty Of
providing for every child, The means necessary to
secure this great blessing.
The State of Virginia, long since impressed With
tho slmos, obvious truth Of these positions, has in
part attempted &c fufncnt Of the solemn oblisa-
tons il reco.nitc4 But while We readily eoncede
the character Of slncere PATRIOTISM and great wisdom
TO the founders Of the existing plan for educating
the INDECENT children OF the Commonwealth, and
a. readily admit that the operation Of this plan has
been productive Of benefits; and while we admit
that the localities az parts of the State and the
sparseness of the population may, for the present,
impede the introduction of the District System into
every quarter of the Commonwealth; end We are
unwii,inc to change the system once, without
appealing TO the wisdom and wishes OF the people !;
yet We think i, duty to make that appeal, TO pre-
pare system Of general education, which is calcu-
IN cd, under circumstances are favorable to
its introduction teich the white children Of the
Commonwealth in more efficient ms1ner--a sys
which derives lis resources tor its sustenance
from the aggregated contributions Of all classes in
to C,untp lnN n hand
cd, lis blessings 10 all the children OF the coun-
try.
A system OF general Primary Education shall
embrace the following p.sn:
!. That Primary Schools, accessible without Fee
TO every white child Of proper age, should be n,sn-
tanned al the public charge.
.. That it is indispe n.able TO procure competent
teachers, and If necessary, 10 provide Tor their pre-
paration for the office.
3 That vigiiant and constant supervision i,
absolutely necessary to maintain the visor of any
system
We leave it for the wisdom OF the Legislature,
nsi OF the people at the polls, 10 decide whether
circumstances may not demand the modification OF
the FIRST principle, TO require tuition fec for
each child, small Is 10 leave but few unsb e TO
afford IL, who might be admitted sra,uitously.
cnunty orgsnIz ,tlon would be proba bly, more
desirable tnan general one, and il might be left
the several Counties and corporations adopt il
or no., at their discretion, at the ensuing or any
future spring eleclon.
visions:
lst That every county and corporation adopt; ne
this law shni b. immecIiiey lad off under the
direction OF its court, into Districts, suitable
foe school, having regard conjonilv to territory
and population. In each OF these Districts there
shalt he one School Commissioner. The legal title
OF the school houses and the lands on which thew
shall be built and school property thereon, shall be
vested in the President and Directors Of the LiIera-
ny Fund. And the present provisions relative to
the School Commissioners shall be preserved IN
der such notifications as may improve their vigil
ance and efficiency.
ID. The Board of Commissioners shall ascertain
yearly what sum is necessary, including the State
contributions from the Literary Fund, and the loca
funds, il any, allow each district in the county
not less than $3.50 year towards a teacherr salary
and the expenses of Inspection stationary fuel, SC
They shall report the sum TO the Court, which
shall be required to impose property and poll-tax
sufficient TO produce the required amount.
This sum shall be distributed amongst the Dis.
trcts in the proportions before designated so soon
as the District Commissioner shall report TO the
Board Of Commissioners, that the district mas erect,
ed schoo!-house and appurtenances and tina.
the same IRE in good repair, and that school has
bsen kept by quaih teacher at least four
The Board OF Commissioners she'll appoint q
Committee OF Examination of Teachers and sha 4
report annually TO the President and Direclurs o
the Li,.rary Fund.
81. The course of instruction shall be as elevated
as possible, and shall embrace
l. Reading correctly, well.
3. Writing, well.
3. Arithmetic, applied practically.
4. English Grammar and Geography.
S. The outlines of General History, and the Hi.
tory of Virginia and the United States.
G. The Constitutions of Virginia. and Of the u
States.
z. The Elements Of Physical Science.
4th. General Superintendent shall be appoint
ed with sufficient salary, to visit all parts Of the
State and address the people the subject of Edu
cation and also take steps to diuse by proper pub.
LEGATIONS, as universal interest as possible and
whose duty it shall be with the co operation of efi
Gent agents, subject TO his constant superintendent
to the fines, forfeures, and eschea,s accrung
each county, to the Literary Fund as well as the
avniIs OF the slebe lands not legally appropriated,
and the requests Of individuals 10 the purposes OF
Education.