Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-03
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.


Remarks of Mr.. 6OWDEN. on Mr. Lyons:
amendment TO The Bill establishing system Of
District Free Schools
Mr.. BOWDEN said, 30 mol know that ac-
curaiey understand Inc amendment OF me een-
;!eman from the city OF Richmond. II The I'M
preston made on my mind by hearing /, read, be
correct, | am utterly opposed 10 such an amend
ment, and have risen 10 express M oDlecuon>,
So that, if they are FOUNDED in msapp'ehensions
The gentleman may have II in his power 10 cor
rect me.
The bill under consideration, proposes 10 esiab-
isb free schools in each ofibe counties and towns
OF Inc Commonwealth, by levying an amount,
sufficient, with the aid OF The Literary Fand and
School Fund belonging 10 the counties and town,
respectively 10 accomplish tina, otlecl. The
lew. so 10 be made, is 10 be assessed by School
Commissioners, elected BY the people 81 each
county; which Commissioners are Authorised 10
collect on The taxable property OF liie county 10
which they belong, an amount sufficient with The
aid Of the funds just mentioned, TO educate at me
children in the county. This is 10 be purely ana
exclusively county system, regulated and con-
trolled by the people OF each county: II Ilis
School Commissioners should be prodeal and
wasteful, should lbey neglect their duties, or per-
form them 10 Ire dissatisfaction Of the people
should they establish too expensive system ioi
educating the youth Of their county il will be IN
the power o. The people by whom they shall be
elected to displace ihem and put in their stead
men better calculated for the station. On The
other hand, should they be penurious and mig
gardly, unwilling TO make proper allowances tof
establishing and maintaining Schools OF the
proper grade and order, The people would snos.
lute for them Commissioners OF more liberia md
expanded views, and each county has II, own
choice 10 adopt or reject This system, so that he
people have no cause TO complain, because The
whole subject would remain under their CONTROL
| have no objection TO passing The bill and Sub
hitting this plan 10 The vote OF each county.
The amendment, however, OF the gentleman
from this CITY, proposes 10 submit so another
plan, by which the money to be raised, shall be
levied BY The County Courts For This ! cannot
vote have always regarded il as one OF The
cardinal principles Of tree Government that
no money should be drawn from The pock-
els Of The people, bat by The votes of their
representatives. Right and justice cannot be pre-
served in any country, when the purse strings are
under ID. control of any body not elected by the
people, and liable al GONE period 10 be displaced
by the people II you entrust the taxing power
10 sell-crcated and selfperpetuaied body beyond
the control of public opinion, what check have
you on their conduct what guarantee for their
SOOU behaviour WUdt dSSuidHNC tudt )Oai NV
ney, which you place at their disposal, will De
properly expended what security that il will
not be applied 10 purposes counter 10 your
wishes, and detrimental 10 your interests
Would any person for moment entertain the
idea OF transferring the legislative powers, with
which this General Assembly is clothed, 10 body
OF men, in whose appointment The people OF Vir-
sinia had no voice, and who were 10 remain in
Office for life, whether their policy and conduct
gained public appreciation, or merited and in
Cured public Indignation and adherence
And We, we are called upon by this amendnlen,
10 do thing which is identical in principle.
We are most seriously ard zealonsly urged 10
commit The two mos, important of all public
concerns-lhe right OF taxation, which includes
The right Of properly, and the momenlous charge
of educating all the youth OF the land 10 body
exactly such as have described. What egis-
latve action OF The present Winter has embraced
subjects OF more lranscendant importance than
those which il is now proposed TO place under he
exclusive jurisdiction of County Courts? Gen.
temen refused the other day 10 en,rus. The wor-
shipfnl justices Of these Courts with power 10
try warrant for debt OF S50-evidenced by The
| hand writing OF the debtor. To accomplish a
task 50 Hevenledn, this House though! il necessary
to conhde in nothing less than full Court, aided