Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-12-23
COMMON SCHOOLS.

The Committee to whom was referred the SUBJ
Ject OF primary education, respectfully present
the following Report, constituting a suitable
expression of the views of the Convention.
In every nation under the government of re-
publican institutions, proper regard to national
prosperity and individual welfare, requires that
every citizen should possess such an education as
will enable him to know and appreciate his
rights, to pursue his search for knowledge, as far
as his circumstances i'm life may permit, and to
discharge in his appropriate sphere, the duties of
"a citizen.
Were such an education one Of those wants
whose demands, according to well known prin-
cipie OF political economy, would create sup
ply, it might safely be left to the operation of that
principle; but unfortunately the more aggravated
the want, the more enhanced Is the difficulty of
supplying a remedy. Aid must come from with.
out.
To the government ola State belongs ,he duty
OF providing for every child, the means necessa-
Ty to secure this great blessing.
The State of Virginia, long since impressed
with the almost obvious truth of these positions,
has, in part, attempted the fulhlment of the SOL
emn obligations it recognises. But while we
readily concede the character of sincere patriot
ism, and great wisdom to the founders Of the
listing plan for educating the INDECENT children of
the Commonwealth, and readily admit that
the operation of this plan has been productive of
benefits; and whew admit that the localities Of
some parts of the State and the sparseness ofthe
duction of the District System into every quar-
ter Of the Commonwealth: and unwi-
ling to change the system at once, without APP
peaing to the wisdom and wishes of the people
yet we think it duty to make that appeal, to
prepare system of general education Which is
calculated under such circumstances favor
able to its introduction to teach the white chill
dren Of the Commonwealth in a more efficient
manner-a system which derives its resources for
its sustenance from the aggregated contributions
Of nj cla in mo- yoa1t nd hall
dispense even-handed, its blessings to all the
children of the country.
system of general Primary Education should
embrace the following plan:
l. That Primary Schools, accessible, without
fee to every white child of proper age should be
maintained at the public charge.
2. That 1t is indispensable to procure compe-
tent teachers, and necessary to provide for their
preparation for the office.
3. That vigilant and constant supervision is
absolutely necessary to maintain the vigor ofany
system.
We leave it for the widom Of the Legislature,
and OF the people at the polls, to decide whether
circumstances may not demand tile modification
OF the first principle, to require tuition fee
for each child, small to leave but a few ma
BILE to afford it, who might be admitted gratui-
tously.
A county organization would be probably more
desirable than general one, and it might lie left
TO the several counties and corporations TO adopt
On,
future spring election.
The proposed law to contain these leading pro-
Visions
LIST. That every county and corporation adopt
Ing this law shall be Immediately laid Off under
the direction of its court, into Districts suitable
each for school, having regard conformity to ter
ritory and population In each of these Dis
trcls there shall be one School Commissioners
The legal title of the school houses and the lands
on which they shall be built, and school proper
~ shall h., II -.
Directors of the Literary Fund. And the pre-
sent provisions relative to the School Commits
sioners shall be preserved, under such modica-
tions as may Improve their vigilance and eff
cheney.
Cd. The Board Of Commissioners shall ascer-
tain yearly what sum is necessary, including the
State contributions from the Literary Fund.- and
the local funds, if any; allow each district in
tho county not less than $3.50 year towards
teachers salary, and the EXPENSES Of Inspections,
stationary, fuel, &c.
They shall report the to the Court, which
Shall be required to impose a property and poll
TAX, SUFFICIENT to produce the required amount.
This sum shall be distributed amongst the dis
frlcts, In the proportions before designated, so
soon as the District Commissioner shall report to
the Board of Commissioners, that the district has
erected a school-house and appurtenances, and
that the same are in good repair and that school
has been kept by qualified teacher at least four
months.
a
Committee of Examination of Teachers, and
shall report annually to The President and Drec-
tors of the Literary Fund.
Sd. The course of instruction shall be as eleva-
ted as possible and shall embrace
l. Reading correctly, ,ceH
q. Writing, aOeH.
3. Arithmetic, applied practically
4. English Grammar and Geography.
s. The outlines of General History, and the
History of Virginia and the United States.
6. The Constitution of Virginia, and of the
United States.
7. The Elements of Physical Science.
4th. A General Superintendent shall be ap-
pointed, with sufficient salary to visit all parts
of the State, and address the people on the sub
ject OF Education, and also take steps to iilfuse,
by proper publications, as universal an interest as
possible, and whose duty it shall be, with the CO.
operation OF efficient agents, subject to his con-
slant superintendent, to- see to the fines forfeit
ares, and escheats accruing in each county to the
Literary Fund, as well as the avails Of the gebe
lands not legally appropriated, and the requests
OF individuals to the purposes Of Education.
The New York Express say that, in conse-
quence ofll health, Gov. Poindexter has been
unable to leave his room since the adjournment
OF the Custom-house Commission at New York
to meet again in Washington. In the mean time he
is employed in completing his report 10 the Sec
rotary ofthe Treasury on the evidence taken by
the Commissioners.
~ A splendid ball was given at the Insane
hospital, Augusta, Maine, on Thanksgiving eve
ming. Most OF the patients participated i'm the a.