Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-17

H. ~ iN - as ~E.o
versity OF Virginia, the Primary School sys-
and the noble fund, 70 the condition OF
which | have briefly adverted. Looking to the
extent Of our territory, the sparseneSs Of our
population and the condition Of a5outtwo hiths
oft we MAY congratulate ourselves upon the
amount Of good which we have already ac-
complished. But much remains TO do. The
necessity Of education is obvious and urgent.
The enlightened, patriotic, and INDECENT com
bine to call upon you. as they have done upon
your predecessors, 10 adopt some rigorous and
decided system which will place within reach
of our whole white population, the blessings
of education. In the numerous appeals IN be
half of this policy, which have within the last
three years been made from the forum and the
press, il seems TO have been assumed that we
are the degenerate sons Of distinguished sires.
and that we must adopt some efficient system
Of education, to arrest our downward course.
This is not true in fact. On the contrary, ne
yer, since we took our stand among the ma
tons Of the earth, have our daughters been FAIR
er, our sons more patriotic: never have the
blessings of morality. Of christianity, aud OF
education been so highly appreciated, or so
extensively diffused.
In the anxious consideration which has been
given 10 this subject, the great difficulty has
been in agreeing upon a practical and efficient
system. Few can appreciate our difficulties
none can do so who are not familiar with
our physical and social condition. But, among
our difficulties, | am happy to say, indisposi-
ton, and, | will add, indifference, are not TO be
found. The prevailing wish ofour State is TO
spread the Lights Of science into our remotest
clens, and into the humblest habitationS OF the
people. That this will be done. there cannot
be a doubt; how and when, ii is in your wis
dom to decide. ]. however, woula recommend
that a poll be opened or the day OF yournext
annual election, TO test the sense Of each County
upon the District School system; that a majo-
rity of the voters ofeach County, voting at SAID
election, shall decide upon the adoption or the
rejection Of the system that If 1t be rejected
by a particular County, then the districts into
which such County may be divided shall sew
orally vote upon its adoption, within their re-
spective dlstricts-the system to be adopted IN
each district giving a majority OF lis resident
voters therefor. In these suggestions my pur-
pose is to compel each County TO vote upon
this system-the best, by far, which | have
examned-and when rejected in particular
Counties. to give such districts thereof as may
desire it all the advantages contemplated By
the system.
The last Annual Reports from our Asylums
for the Deaf aad Dumb and the Blind, were
laid before your immediate predecessors, and
embrace all the material knowledge | have OF
their condition. From all that have seen and
heard, | am satisfied that our muniticent APP
preparations TO these benevolent establishments
have been, so far, most j%udieiously invested.
BY giving 10 the suggestions OF those who su-
pervise them a careful consideration, and con-
tinuing to them your fostering aid, they viii,
in addition 10 the mca,cuia0le blessings tina:
they will secure 10 the afflicted. soon become
nUoie monuments Of our philanthropy. upon
which every Virginian may look with pride
and pleasure.
About the first of last September, | visited
our Military Institute, and found the Cadets
IN camp. The buildings in their military
dress, the white tents pitched upon an eleya-
ted slope and admirably arranged, the corps
under arms in neat and appropriate dress. and,
as | approached Them, deplsylng into line for
my reception, made upon me a most agreeable
impression, and assured Inc that the high char
acter already awarded TO this School has been
fully earned. A further examination of my
Young fellow-citizens in their quarters, and Of
the other departments otthe Institution, which
| also made. satisfied me that it had more than
met the highest expectations of its warmest
friends, and that ii deserved, and ought TO re-
ceive, the favor of the General Assembly,
You will receive herewith the Annual Report
of the Board of Visitors, and its accompanying
for the year 1876. | ask for it
your attentive consideration, and earnestly re-
commend to you its various suggestions.
The Penitentiary calls for your attention.
The usual Annual Reports in relation thereto,
accompany this Message. That this establish
Inent. with a very large capital, and 226 con-
victs kept at ''hard labor and fed upon coarse
should not pay a profit, satisfies me
that the system is inherently wrong, or that
there is something very defective in its admin
The first reform that | would suggest, is in
The manner of stating the accounts OF the insti-
Who now knows its actual %pecuniary
condition? 1t draws about $4,000 a year
from the Treasury-the appropriation for the
Public Guard is most strangely charged with
the expense of its civic guard. II furnishes
annual supplies to the Lunatic Assylums, and
10 those Of the Deaf and Dumb and Of the
Blind-and performs a considerable amounto OF
work on the pubic ediices and grounds, none
or which are regulated by contract or adjusted
ii the Treasury. In this connection, ! submit
herewith a statement (marked ~ exhibiting
sarious items Of expenditure receipts, &c, for
md on account of the Penitentiary, from the
rear 1916 to October OF the present year, and
llso the capital invested in the erection Of the
nenitentiary up to 1866. 1t is "A table full of
Interesting statistics, and calculated 10 enlight-
this subject.
| recommend that a stock account be kept,
witch shall include the cost Of all buildings
md fixtures, tools, and manufactures, and all
materials on hand at It's commencement; thai
II expenses, Of every description, including
alaries, subsistence, criminal charges, and CT
lie or interior guard. shall be paid by the Su-
,erintendent, by drafts on the Storekeeper, and
D be included il said accountable whole 10 be
redited by the sales-exhibiting in that form
he whole condition Of the institution for each
nd every year. And, then. that which is diff
cult of comprehension would be easily under
TODD, and the actual results would be annually
scertained.
The next change | would recommend, is in
ne mode of purchasing supplies for the instl
alton. Let them be purchased BY the Super
itendent, as The law now permits, but require
i'm TO buy them in large quantities, in the
convenient markets, upon cash terms,
V sight drafts upon the Storekceper. The
apital is ample for This mode of making the
urchases, and ii is obviously the best one for
Ne interests Of the Institution.
H.. 49, e,rvae4;nnO ,noan no reHacfsnp !