Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-28

combined effort, and none are to be released from
obligation to contribute to this effort, other than
those whom misfortune releases from obligation
10 support the government. 1t is nothing really
opposed to the operation of this principle to say,
we are not to be benefited. For many are not
directly benefited by the provisions of judicial
ry-a penal code, Legislature, and so on. But
the benefit of the whole is the benefit of all the
parts.
Now, according to these principles, our own
state has already acted, in providing university
and our laws for educating the poor that is, the
state has thus recognised the justice Of these
principles, though unfortunately, she has not full
ly carried them out. A scheme then for primary
education should be enacted by the Legislature
providing elementary instruction for every child.
How can this be accomplished
L. Let 1t be obligatory on every county to build
school houses in places throughout the county,
convenient to ali the children, and furnish them
in manner COMFORTING with the object 10 be at
tanned.
2. Every county should appoint by its court, an
examining committee, who should be required to
meetat least once month at the courthouse, or
oftener and at other places, when requested !;
whose duty it shall be to ascertain and certify to
thequalifications ofevery person desiring to teach
In the county. And no other person should be
employed than one possessing such certificate.
3. For each neighborhood in which school
house is built, there should be appointed by the
court, or elected by the people of the neghbor-
hood, two or three commissioners or trustees,
who shall hold all the property and superintend
the school; attending once a month or oftener,
and noting the progress of the scholars and the
ability &c. of the Teacher
A. In each county there should be salaried
superintendent of schools who shall nominate to
the court members Of the examining committee,
(perhaps constitute, ex ofico, one of the Board
and also the trustees in the Districts and report to
the superintendent for the State the condition of
the schools. He should also be charged with the
duty of securing compliance with the following
law.
5. That overy parent, master workman and
guardian, shall be bound in suitable penalty to
send his children, apprentices or wards, for a
certain period to the school, that the failure to do
this, may be occasion of process against such
perlntendent and proof Of the charge in the usual
mode.
6. The State shall appoint superintendent Of
common schools and Board of Commissioners
for the State, who shall provide uniform Get of
school books, and exercise general supervision
of the interests of the schools. The superinten-
dent to be employed for the whole of his time
and paid accordingly The members of the
| Board to be paid their expenses and per diem
compensation for attendance on the meetings of
the Board. AS it might be required by the reli-
| gious part of the community that some religious
and moral instruction should be impaired in the
schools, this Board might properly contain rep.
sentative from each Of the prevalent religious de-
nominations, whose unanimous appreciation should
| be required for any book conveying religious in
struction.
| 7. Other details should be incorporated in tht
law, providing for the cases of sparsely inhabi
ted districts; very poor neighborhoods; the time
to be devoted to teaching; age of pupils; excep
tons in behalf Of adults, willing to be taught
(and as has been suggested, premiums for sucl
adults, who in five years might learn to read ant
write,) premiums for industrious pupils, provi
sion for the more extended instruction of such al
might exhibit good talents, especially for thos
who would engage in teaching exceptions il
behalf Of parents very dependent, by which thei
children might be permitted to remain at hom
for certain periods, and variety Of other nciden
tai matters which would obviously occur.
8. Provision should be made for defraying tn
expenses Of these schools by the combination c
funds, taxation, and tuition fees-the latter place
at maximum of IS, and minimum of 81 pc
year. This will adapt the fee to the ability
persons in various portions in the State.
The state now possesses handsome fun
and may be expected to obtain additional mean
under the recent distribution law of Congress-
Whether this taxation should be made on til
whole state or by counties, or in counties by tn
district, each county or each district suppIyin
its own wants, is immaterial. | should pref
making no local distinctions. Let the tax be a
on property.
0. Provision should also be made FOR establish
ing in connexlon with academies and colleges,
various parts of the state, adepartment for prepa
ing youth to become Teachers; and for their e
enlargement the state might offer gratuitous i
sruction to certain number, provided, the
would obligo themselves to instruct fort two year
in some common school within the state.
| do not conceive the details Of this plan We
important and have special Partiality to maj
of them. 1t involves some principles which a
? Indispensable TO any plan, but which are obje
tlonable in the view of some persons.
{ I. Taxation is objected TO, says one: "t