Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-04
SOMETHING TANGIBLE.

The meetings throughout the State, the essays
and appeals which fill the Dewspapers-al go TO
prove that the public mind is aroused in the great
cause OF education, and sincerely trust, is fully
ripe for efficient and practical action at the ap-
preaching session OF the Legislature. The great
point 10 be achieved al first, was 10 excite IN ne-
rest in The popular masses-to lay bare the evils
and mischiefs of The present system CD, expose
the melancholy and bitter fruits OF ignorance, and
invite cordial and Jealous cooperation Of eve
~ citizen, Of every party, in diifusinS the bles-
sings OF education with which national and indi-
vidual virtue, and independence Of thought and
action are ndssolutly connected. We are salts
fled that the right spirit is abroad, and that the re-
representatives. ofthe people will come prepared 10
embody tina, spirit in sound, wise, we-dgested
and permanent system.
The question, then, is, what plan shall be
adopted, 10 attain the great end in view, and, at
the same time, satisfy the people, and engage
their warm and active sympalhies7 II is not our
purpose TO anticipate the deliberations OF The Edu-
cation Convention, to whose superior information
and wisdom il will be left to devise and recon-
mend the plan Of final action. 1t strikes us how
ever that it will not be amss, al the present time,
TO lay before The public some scheme for their
consideration. The members Of The Legislature
and the delegates 10 the Convention will thus be
enabled 10 think over its provisions and modify
or shape il in any manner they think proper
With this view we have drawn from The public
records, where it has slept since 1912, pIojet OF
Schools which was offered TO the Senate BY MIR.
Lyons, our present City Delegate II was called
forth BY the discussion Of The School bill from the
lower House, and 500 copies of it ordered 10 be
printed. It's principal features are--lst, 1t makes
The schools all free, which is indispensable 10 the
success Of any scheme; for the poor will not send
their children 10 school where others pay and
they appear as beggais 2dly II raises the
money by county appropriations of county
levies, without coming to The Stale Treasu-
ry-and thus each county will bear its own
bur,hen, and no more. This principle we regard
OF great value, and as giving high claims to Mr.
Lyons projet A short time since, We limited
our views in favor of similar provision. 3dly
Il raises the money BY an ad ralorem Tax upon
all; and the consequence will be, that when the
men Of fortune are taxed for the school, they
will pay some attention 10 it. and send their chill
dren to be taught in it. All classes, therefore
will be induced to take deep interest in The com
pleton OF the work. Laslly-the plan is SC
simple, that every one can understand it, Its ope
ration, il strikes US, will be regular and efficient
II will not be liable TO the embarrassment, under
which a more complicated system, depending
upon the public treasury, must, more or less, la
Dor. But we have no time 10 dwell upon lis me
rits, which speak for themselves. We would
however, suggest one amendment, which we lhinl
will be justified by the present state OF The public
mind. Instead OF making il voluntary system
the Courts might be requiredo enforce it. If TIT
representatives of the people are satisfied of the
value OF the project, their constituents would jus
tify them in taking the necessary measures te
give it full efficiency.
We are authorized TO say, that Mr.. Lyons will
submit this projet 10 the next Legislature. We,
therefore, ask for il a candid examination at the
hands of the members of the Legislature and the
delegates 10 the Education Convention. But a
short time will elapse before they will be called
upon 10 act, and they can, in the mean time, pom
der over this plan, and either recommend it, OF
fashion some other scheme Tor the enlightenment
OF The public mind:
"Ia HE Senate of Virginia, March DC, 1912.
"AMrNDMENr proposed by Mr.. Lyons upon the
subject of Education.
a. Belt Enacted, Tha, al the first term Of eve
ry county and corporation court IN The State
which shall occur after copy Of this act shall
reach the clerk Of said county or corporation. il
shall be the duty OF the said county or corporation
court 10 make an order directing the Sheriff to
summon the Magistrates TO attend al The mex