Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-22

ba, ,omn,on schools rezched the number of l4ob2o
sor,S Wills her entire population between and III
years Of age was only l52,l9l. In view OF these re-
snl, and flour actual condition IN TINS
regard to suppose that the people could oe inslcus
~ c,nent with the LONGER nege OF these suffering
interests, might well BE- deprecated as most sen.
ous rejection upon theifscaracy for se.gorcrnmen
The general manifestations "f public interest III TINS
subject are a gratifying proof that the representa-
ves have only elaborate by their iea
sble scheme anu all Of their well.drected efforts 10
,b;s end will be cordially seconded by the patriotism
NJ Their constituents Let al who jealous Of the re-
nown of our ancient commonwealth, vie with each
o,her in Tins cf,t widen aud deepen the foundations
of her GRANDEUR and she VIII rise from her deJection,
mic ,o,a vigorous moral and intellectual growth Her
decline in the scale OF political power may not hrhg
,,no 10 The bosoms oil her If they shall success
fully exert themselves in securing for her materials oil
future ascendancy in til. grand empire OF mind and
morals Every motive that may spring from wise
regard to To the public welfare appeal that may
be made 10 the lust pride oil free S,ae,-nny the
arv instinct Of self all unite forbid
dny The idea that this State calmly survey the de-
cav of education her borders, and make no
serious and we.considered effort 10 arrest H.
Besides this general subject Of Primary Education,
which your committee have endeavored to treat with
the anxious care which II demands, other suggestions
touching the higher grades OF academic learning, have
been made BIZ the documents referred and have received
the attentive consideration Of your committee While
they regard the claims Of conAman schools as OF most ur
cent inheritance and as untap,ena in relation TO the
higher branches Of the SYSTEM they are by no means
disposed TO detrac from The public estimation in which
the academies and colleges of the State are rghtiny
held With their prosperity Is intimately connected all
useful proficiency in the higher departments OF science
and their interests deserve TO be tosered by
aid whenever the finances Of the State may admit OF H.
1t is to be regretted that the WISE policy which, after
MAKING outof the revenues otthe Literary Fund the
annual appropriation of sixty thousand dollars 10 the
University and the PRIMARY schools, DEDICATED oy al
act of The 21th of February, 1921, 'e surplus a6ore
that sam until such surplus shall amount 10 hcenty
thousand doars, TO The endoiomcn o such colleges and
academies for intermediate schools, as The Geaerat rs
semLiy might designate as ut institutions for enaoe
ncRt should at any time have been abandoned apart
from the intrinsic propr,ely Of such policy, when II
is remembered that it followed the liberal appropriations
for the erection of the University and that TINS prov
sion was actually part OF an act authorizing large
loan that institution, it assumes the appearance OF
deliberate legislative compact win the iehus OF THESE
ermedate schools whose support was doubtless con-
coted 10 this very measure BY this prospective pledge
of the Of the Literary Fund An 'ncpient
step towards the contamination OF this OBJECT was taken
at the session of the Assembly in the year 1880 by
reference TO the Joint resolution then adopted, VIII be
seen that the Legislature disposed to adhere to
this policy, and to secure the information which was re-
quste to enable them TO act with discretion and impair
TALLY. But subsequently this object would seem to
have been lost sight ofhe Assembly neglected TO re-
22d March. 1896, constituting this surplus part Of
The general fund granted ~ the primary sehoois and
giving il the same destnailon-wlth prOriSo, how
ever comforting discretion upon the school comnis
soners apply this addopai fund 10 the colleges or
academies within their respective counties or corpora
tons Having since been chiefly applied to the pr
mary schools, has probably suhserved no other
end thu TO swell the outstanding balances against the
school ,reasurers. Motives both o! expediency and
Justice seem TO recommend return 10 the original de-
&c ,ha Acca mil md n
The future, that they might have the means OF los
terinr such Of these institutions seem best entitled
ID public support This would be the more advisable,
especially if the common schools shall be chiefly sus-
tanned according TO the plan already submitted, out oil
the resources Of local taxation.
Among the institutions which claim assistance from
this fund, the attention OF your committee has been
particularly directed BY the memorial of the Education
Convention, 10 the Medical College IN the city oil
Richmond Indebted for lis existence 10 private means
aud enterprise, il has received patronage commensu.
rate with the sangune expectations of itstrends
and offered facilities for medical education not here.
toiore enjoyed in this State. Aiordng The opporun-
of clinical practice and observation to the u ex-
tent, TO be had only in popuous towns, II removes oil
necessity of seeking medical education in other
States and is thus attended with imp ,rtant sump
tuary effect in retaining within State the
pendilures which formerly incurred abroad in the
study Of this profession Butte place this school upon
permanent basis secure froma precarious re-
uncr upon individual exertlons, II demands the aid and
countenance of the State to which, in the opinion oil
your committee, it possesses more than ordinary
claims
The only subject of this reference, remaining
for the consideration Of your committee, is the PROPOSE.
ton 10 substitute for The Public Guard corps Of Cadets
organized into n military school The facility with
which this change may be made, is manifest when
we consider lla, tic present buildings are entirely
suitable this design, and that The annual costs OF
this garrison than sufficient ~ support an
| v,,hl, rhoFn
eighty INDECENT youths No fear is entertained but
that The public interests would be we'll protected by
these cadets and thelr officers rs by the present
guard. ihe actual service which would hevolve upon
them, would fill their breasts with sense oil manly
responsibility, and be performed with fidelity which
it is difficult TO attain in the discipline Of mere holI-
day encampment. The performance of duties which
had previously lily Stale the amount OF its appro-
pria,ion TO the school &oud all of mere
dependence upon the bounty of the common wealth,
and early mpnrt their lives solid usefulness anu
consistency. Such occupations. it's thought would
not materially conflict with the successful prosecu.
ton of their studies bu, 10 guard against such re.
suit it would be well 10 empower the visitors OF the
school 10 retain at their discretion small number oil
the soldiers now enlisted. The entire and gratifying
success Of The similar conversion OF the Lexington
sena into the present Military institute, strongly per-
suades 10 this proposed change. ], IL difficult 10
ceive Of any well founded objection 10 this project; il
meets the cordial appreciation OF your committee, and
they trust 1t VIII receive The favorable consideration
of ihe Assembly Well satisfied Of its utility, they
beg leave accompany this report with bull to estab
| lish military school in lieu Of the public guard
Rever,ing to the views already expressed the ge
neral subject Of primary education, your committee re
commend, in conclusion, the adoption Of the following
resolution, viz:
Resoired, That i; is expedient 10 provide by law fol
the establishment Of common schools upon the princ
Piles indicated in the foregoing report.
TWENTY-sEvENTH CONGR ESS--2d Session.
Friday, February L.