Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-15
SOUTHERN Argus.
Columbus, Miss. March Is, Is42
THE SCHOOL FUND..

One of the most important questions be-
fore our immediate community, is the one
which relates 10 the Public School System.
That the pan, upon which the fund pro-
ViGed for this purpose has been managed,
is unsatisfactory, is manifest from the gen
eral discomfort which prevails, and he
limited benefit that has been Nderived.
That some material alteration is 4essa-
ry in regard to this matter, we p me
none are so bigoted as TO deny. be
question then is, where shall this imprd4 i
ment comm nee? The importance oftf
| subject entities it TO the most earnest am
calm consideration of every member of
| societT; and without the slightest personal
feeling or dIsresPect for any of the indi-
viduals who have had the dire ction Of this
important interest Of our commuM we
shall take the liberty of discus Rg this
matter with freedom and cana There
is no position in this Stas AIAines
so many advantages fol- sys-
TEN Of education as Columbia, ytuated
on the sixteenth section, its fuH9S, which
are derived from rents, for the TAlrpose OF
education, are very considerable; and, ia
ken in connection with the remarkable
healthines of the location and ID naoraI
and polished society, furnish thd
and inducements for the esta6ls
schools of the first order. TheA
once put into operation would mol
able TO contribute largely tn I'll
support, but by the amount of mon
nually brought and expended in q
bus, would be Of essential benefit d I
general interests of the community.
To bring these capabilities into ad 4
1t is necessary that those, who have {
direction of the public fund, should thd
selves be well educated, to enable them !
understand and introduce the best SYST
of education. 1t is proposterous to sd
pose that persons whose education WI
Originally neglected, and whose subsl
quent av1catons in life have not enabled
them TO remedy the defect, are qualified d
preside over and direct that vitaiy i'm
Dortdnt branch of ouI social relations, tht
e iucation Of the youth of our country
BY what lntutive principle can they give
proper direction TO a subject of which they
are totally ignorant themselves How
can they judge Ofthe competency of per
son to teach subjects, on Which they hav,
no means OF asccrtaining his proficiency
We have heard Of such remarkable pro
ductions in nature, as physicians BY in
sunc', but we have yet to learn that there
ever IS such an instructive perception, as Il
qualify the possessOr 10 Judge Of the quail
.icaIions Of a teacher for his employment
| These considerations should induce ev
cry citizen, in the election Of trustees 0
the school fuad to select persons best dual
flied by education md general information
for the discharge of tbs highly responsible.
and ImTo TINT off G, Upon the qualf
cations Of the board Of thus, ees, for th,
mullifrOls duties Of their office DEPEND
the character Of our institutions. 1t
through that channel that The only efTec
tual improvements can be affected; and
= 10 that d rec'IDn that the spirit Of reforr
should be turned.
In connection with tbs subject we wi
t mention a fact not generally known t
our comm unity, that the legislature of thi
= State at its late session enacted la,
compelling the trustees 30 distribute Pre-
!, rata. the funds arising from the sales
: the 10th sections to the children in eac
township, who are attending schools, an
TINT an exception was made in relation .
,, the funds derived from the 10th section
r this township at the express sugge stlon
our representative Ovit P. Brown Is,
It who preferred leaving the m liter to be d.
: termined by tie wishes Of the citizens
this township.