Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-02
For lLs E,,1uireT
For We Enquirer.
TO THE SCHOOL. COMMISSIONERS OF THE
STATE OF VIRGINIA.


TO THE SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF THE
STATE OF VIRGINIA.
Gentlemen You will shortly convene, under
what may be considered new state ofIhings. The
increased facilities afforded by the last Lesisla-
lure will, il is hoped, enable you to accelerate
the work of Popular Education with that impe.
tus, which ample funds are al all lines calculated
to produce.
The deep solicitude manifested last winter, shows
conclusively, that the public mind is actively
alive 10 the vital importance OF The diffusion VI
knowledge among all classes OF our fellow citl-
zens. The progress Of information was found 10
lansnish; the number OF unlettered adults TO in
crease, rather than diminish; and the question
naturally arose, what was the cause OF this stale
OF things.
The Legislature in an evil hour, and with
shorl-sighled policy II think) passed law pro-
hibling School Commissioners from approPrlat-
ing more than 4 cents per diem 10 Teachers, and
that only for the number Of days OF actual alien
dence. 10 which the Teacher was required TO
qualify upon oath. This, however, was found
10 be bad policy. Teachers soon found there was
more trouble with lae INDECENT portion OF their
schools than with others; while their remunera-
lion was comparatively nolhing-the average oil
moor children in attendance seldom, ii ever, ex-
consequence was, thai respectable Teachers &C.
nerally refused 10 admit them, and the few that
did, te nsulted, disguised, and took no interest in
encouraging their attendance, SO that the sys-
lem was likely to fall 10 the ground. The Le-
eislature, perceiving this error, passed law IN
The winter of ls40-4l, adding IS per cent. 10 The
paw OF such Teachers as were competent 10 give
instructions in the English language, grammar
cally. The Commissioners, knowing The made
quacy of Teachers pay, heretofore, eagerly
availed themselves of this opportunity OF render
ing them something like lair equivalent Tor lheil
services. Teachers freely admitted the INDECENT
10 their schools and things began 10 wear better
aspect.
showed Thai some OF The counties had not funds
sufficient to educate their poor; this sdemons'rat
ed by the number oil memorials 10 the Legislature
prayins for remuneration 10 Teachers who had
been LETT unpaid, for want offunds To remedy hi,
the Legislature, al its last session, passed law
adding largely 10 the fund, so that all the chill.
dren may be educated and those who have the
arduous duty 10 perform Of imparting il, may be
paid a fair equivalent for their services. have
said that Commissioners eagerly embraced the
opportunity ofeIlending the per diem OF Teachers
there was one exception and that is The great and
enlightened county OF Albemarle, whose Com
missioners, al their last meeting, win ample
funds in their hands, and plainly, as is believed
in dcrogation Of law, refused 10 pay more than
the old cents per diem, no matter what The quail.
ihcalion OF The Teacher. LIE. me not be under.
stood as rejecting upon the whole of the Board
OF School Commissioners for this county. There
are some noble exceptions, who loudly remon.
strated against The injustice and Illegally of this
decision; but they were oveHuled by the majority,
who MAINLY tell the LEGISLATURE by their act that
they know better than they do what the School
masters pay should be, and refuse to be governed
by them in this respect, To The honor OF the Old
Dominion, not one county that we have heard OF
followed the unworthy example; and, indeed, it is
believed and hoped that ere this they have seen
their error, and that their next meeting will wipe
this stain from their escutcheon; but il they are
determined TO persist, j, is 10 be hoped they will
inform the Teachers of the reason why they
should receive less for their labor than those OF
the other counties Of The State. II The Teachers