Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-16

Mr.. Daniel
Mr. Nelson OF York. offered the following re-
solution:
Rcolrcd, That the Committee on Colleges be
requested 10 report upon the expcdiency oil rcqni:
ing that the University OF Virginia shall educate
free OF expense, on account of board and tuition
fees certain number OF young men, 10 be an
nually taken from different sections of the Stale
and TO be required 10 act as teachers during pre-
scribed period after leaving College.
Mr.. Stevenson stated that the SUBJECT OIL The
above resolution has been considered by Com
millee Of The Convention OF Colleges, and there
fore il would be unnecessary 10 press the resolu-
lion at present. and Mr.. S. therefore moved 10 lay
The resolution on Tie table. Agreed TO.
Mr. ~ L. Venable, from the Committee on
Military Schools, made a report on the proprety
ofconver;ng The Public Guardof The city of Rich
mond into Military School, upon the principles
OF The Military institute al Lexington.
On motion Of MIR. Strinser, The report was laid
| upon the table; and after suggestions on The or
der OF business, By Messrs. Gallaher and Steven
son, it was agreed 10 await the reports OF the COM
miitees, before discussing any particular ques-
| ton.
i Rsp0rt IN Common Schools.
Mr.. Thomas J. Randolph, from this Commit
| tee, submitted Report which was read bY Rev.
w. S. Plumer, and, for the present, laid on the
| table.
Mr. Randolph gave notice tina, minority Re
port would be presented at the afternoon session
The Report oil the Committee is in the follow
ing words:
mend the adoption OF the following report as en-
/ bodyine the principles and measures proper for
! this Convention 10 bring before the Legislature in
4 memorial
/. The relation OF parent and child Is 50 sacred,
thar under free Government, no authoritative
Interference with the mode OF the chlld's educa-
ton should be contemplated.
, While We can never surrender the foregoing
principle, we also declare our firm and unqnall-
/ lied heiel that il is no less The duty than the m
lerest oil The Commonwealth, 10 make such pro-
vision, and adopt such arrangements, as Will inr-
nishevcry practicable tacilly Tor promoting me
thorough education Of their children.
9. That the sum Of money no" expended III tue
support OF primary schools, is inadequate TO meet
the wants OF The children OF the Commonwealth,
however il may he expended.
! That The general System Of Education, in
I primary schools, now supported by The Literary
! Fund OF Virginia, contains the elements oil me
only System that is suited 10 the present finances
and public temper Of The Commonwealth
5. That, in our judgment it is OF very great I'M
porlance that cheap monthly publication, de-
voted 10 the promotion Of the interests OF Ednca,
ton. especially in It's elementary branches, and
naironised 10 \ limited extent, by The President
and Directors of the Literary FUND, should be
established.
G. That i, is important that the President and
Directors of the Literary Fund should, by law,
be authorized 10 employ suitable person or per-
SIMS NJ a reasonable compensation, whose duty
i, shah be 10 visit II; severa parts oil the State,
TO address the people al lhe'i Gouf.-aouses' ~ VI
other suitable placcs-coileci Information on inc
GENERAL sian. Of Educaion-and, in short, do a
Ihat ma, be proper to promote the best interests
nj H. cause OF Education.
!. That The Convention recommend TO the Le-
gislature the laying OF small poll tax speclf-
calIy towards lhe support OF primary schools III
| this Commonwealth.
s. That the Convention has heard with plea
sure that certain important amendments 10 the
existing laws regulating the Literary Fund, are
now under consideration by The COMMITTEE CT
Schools and Colleges appointed by The House oil
DELEGATES. and this Convention very respectfully
recommends to The Legislature The careful consi-
Iteration Of such amendments.
9. That il is the opinion OF Inc Convention,
that the Legislature should empower any county
or corporation 10 adopt such system OF Common
Schools as majority OF the citizens OIL SAID coun-
10. corporation or district, may, by rtra roec
vote. prefer; and that any levy laid, or tax mpo>-
ed, for the purpose OF carrying into effect such
system, shall be egalized BY the passage OF pro-
per act OF Assembly therefor.
On motion of Mr.. Daniel, the Convention ad-
iourned. 10 meet at 4 o'clock, in the Old bapust
Church.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, A. z. M.
On the re-assemblng OF the Convention, Mr..
Samuel NJ. Janney, from The Minority OF the
Commi,,ee on Common Schools, submitted re-
port as a substitute for the Majorily's report.
The Minoriiy's report, after showing the prac-
tical evils and deficiencies OF the present system
OF Education, and pointing out what might be
done with the same amount OF money under
well arranged district system, concludes as fol-
lows:
Perhaps il NAV be thought that our estimate
of The cost OF tuition is too low, but II VIII be cor
roborac,l BY reference TO the expense incurred
in other States, where the district school system
has been adopted.
In Massachusetts, the average cost in the coun-
try is 81 so per annum for each poor child al
school. In the civ Of Boston 81 81. In New
York country schools So 25 In the city So In
Pennsylvania So 4s, and in the city OF Philadel-
phia Sc OF, including The high school. we pro-
nose for teaching fixed salary Of $500 per an
mum. which is higher than the average compen-
sation in the rural districts OF The Northern States,
and is found 10 he sufficient in the county OF Nor
folk 10 secure good teachers, under The district
system lately adopted there, and now IN success
full operation.
Having examined this question in us financial
aspect we now turn TO other features OF Inc pre-
sent and proposed systems, which we consider
still more worthy OF our consideration.
We consider The present school system OF Viz
pinia radically detective in several particulars:
Isl. Itcreates a distinction between the rich and
the poor.
ID. Ii makes no provision for the examination
ot teachers as TO their moral characters and qua
lifcations.
I'd II conters no authority on school commits
sioners for The selection OF school books.
4,h. Ii embraces no provision Tor The education
OF teachers. :,
remark. lha, we consider The selection OF poor
children, and teaching them as such al The pubic
expense. liable TO the most serious objections, m
asinuch as il impairs their standing among Their
comrades, and their seli-resrect, and frequently
prevents their parents from accepting boon
which they think is coupled with odious dislinc-
tions.
: The common school system which we would
recommend, by placing al classes upon one level,
is more conducive 10 that equality of feeling
which Is peculiarly dpPlopi idtc ~ 90 - Puo'
can institutions, and will be instrumental in
eevaiins the masses OF society 10 that condition
which will enable them to appreciate the bless
ines and share in the burdens OF lice Govern
ment
We therefore propose TO the Convention the
adoption OF the following resolution:
Rcsoircd, That the plan Of Popular Education
reported by The President and Directors Of The
Literary Fund in the year 1871, 10 The Leeisla.
ture OF Virginia be recommended 10 the conside-
ton Of the present Legislature, with The following
amendments, viz:
The election Of school commissioners by the
people. and the adoption Of the system BY such
counties as may agree 10 accept il by majority
OF those entitled TO vote for members OF the Le
sislalure
SAM'L M. JANNEY, Of Lon1oun,
DAN'L Nj. EDGINGTON, Of Oim,