Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25
From tho Richmond Correspondence Of the Free Pres
EDUCATION CONVENTIONS

EDUCATION CONVENTION
This body, embracing nearly 200 special dele.
gates, assembled on Wednesday the 10th instant,
WILLIAM II. MAcrAaLAND, Esq, in the chair.
The Convention was finally organized, by the
appointment OF Gov. MCDOWELL as President,
who delivered most beautiful and heart-strring
speech, which seemed to awaken new zeal in
the bosom OF every one present.
Eight Vice Presidents were chosen, to wit:
Judge John Il. Lomax, Judge Edwin S. Duncan,
Thomas J. Randolph, ESQ.,, of Albemarle, DR..
Spicer Patrick of kanawha, Allen Il. Caperton
OF Monroe, William II. mcfarland of Richmond
City, James II. Carson Of Frederick, and Sam
uel Watts of Norfolk county.
John 5. Gallaher and Richard b. Gooch were
appointed Secretaries.
The Convention was in session three days,
holding morning and evening sessions the two
last. Various plans of Education were submit
| ted, and the Committee on Common Schools re-
ported IN favor OF the enlargement and increased
efhciency OF the present system, declaring it to
contain the elements OF the best scheme that
could be adopted. But not so thought Others
SAMUEL nj. JANNEY. of Loudoun, and DANIEL. NJ.
EDGiNoToN, Of Ohio county. presented Minority
Report, declaring against the efficiency of this
system, and proposing plan of District Schools,
embracing that reported by the President and Di.
rectors Of the Literary Fund in 1871.
The principal features Of this system are, to
divide the Counties into districts, for which
School Commissioners are TO be elected bv the
people, instead Of being appointed by the Court.
10 support the schools, which are TO be com.
mon TO the children of all, tax is TO be laid by
I each County. The aggregate Of which is 10 be
applied with the quota received annually from
the present Literary Fund. 1t is calculated ,ha,
The price OF tuition per dnnuni for each scboIa,
will not exceed sir dollars. Every child now
educated, even in the plainest way, costs not less
than SIG. The object seems to be, TO do awav
the distinction between INDECENT and other chill
dren-to hrei npward
Among the distinguished gentlemen who hear,i.
ly embraced Mr.. Janney's substitute, was An.
DREW STEVENSON, Esq. Friend Jannev. Inv his
unprelending department, plain good sense. and
logical style oil speaking, made decided impres
sion upon his large and attentive auditory.
Towards the close of the proceedings, q yerv
animated and eloquent debate occurred upon the
question of converting the Armory into Military
School Tor Boys, and upon the propriety of Mill.
tary education at all in this country Professo,
Garland, Professor Maxwell, and others. depre.
Gated The infusion of a military spirit into our
people-the former gentleman thought it demo-
raiizlng in general way, and the latter that we
were sufficiently pugnacious already.
DIR. Plumer and Col. Dimmock maintained the
opposite Of all this, and cited instances of many
distinguished divines who had been educated a,
West Point and other military schools. The de.
bate was not less argumenta,ive than witty. and
! Piouuceu very peasant elect upon the audi
ence but the civil spirit prevailed over the mill
tory by small majority, and the subject was in.
definitely postponed. Still, ] have no doubt the
subject will be pressed i'm the Legislature.
The Convention broke up tremendously, but
still doubt, as have done from the first. the sue
cess OF any such scheme this winter. We have
too many wise men in our Legislative halls, and
in the struggle to have the paternity of scheme,
every plan will be defeated. l hope may prove
TO be In this case false prophet. In the mean
while' during the maturing of system, let the
people continue to pour in their memorials-let
them march up to the difficulty and say they are
ready to be taxed for this great purpose and then
the Legislature will be kept up to the proper
point.