Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-02
To Tic Editors Of The Enquirer:

liz the Easi0TS OF inc fSHqHHG:
Permit me, Messrs. Editors, through you 10
ask the attention of the people OF Virginia TO
some Of the defective clauses contained in the
acl OF the last Legislature, entitled IAN act
amending The present Primary School System"
The writer, who has had some experience in the
management OF these schools under the present
law, cannot torbear 10 express his regret at The
difficulties he anticipates in the carrying into et-
lect several Of the provisions of this new act by
those no may be appointed for The purpose.
The first clause OF The second section OF the
act directs ia majority Of lhe school commission
ers TO assemble annually al The November Term
OF their county courts, and elect viva voce, su-
perinlenden Of sale schools, taking from the per-
son SO elected bond with sufficient security, pay
able 10 the President and Directors Of The Liera
nv Fund, for the faithful performance OF the du-
ties imposed upon him by this act" Now, The
law prescribes no penalty for This bond; nor does
il direct The So id bond, when executed TO be filed
as heretofore in any public depository Of record.
The school commissioners have no such deposit
tory; and, consequently, the bond, when execuI-
ed, becomes private paper, over which the conn.,
missioners will have no control.
Another, among the several objections TO: and
defects n this act, is found in the last clause OF
the fourth section. After prescribing various
onorous duties, which are required 10 be perform
ed by the Superintendent OF these schools, it is
directed by the act that he shall receive as COM
pensalion for his services 1.-TWO and a half per
cent upon the amount actually expended for the
preceding year." The writer of This will venture
10 say, that there is no competent person 10 be
found in the county o his residence who will as
sumo the responsibility, and undertake 10 per-
form the various duties required, (no matter how
friendly he may be 10 diffusion Of knowledge
by education,) for the compensation authorized
10 be paid under The old system. This two and
half per cent. commission was allowed The
Treasurer of the school commissioners; and in
addition, the sum Of len dollars per annum al
lowed their clerk. Now, when all The duties are
10 devolve upon one officer, and, indeed, ne IS To
manage The whole fund and system, and when he
is 10 receive as compensation Tor his troublesome
duty some s. or So, and, in some OF The coun-
ties, even less, the end will be, that, in many Of
the smaller counties, at least, the system will be
Intellectual, as there will be found no person will
ling TO undertake the duties Of Superintendent
Consequently, the quota cannot be drawn, and, Of
course, even the lillle good heretofore derived
from the school fund must be withheld from those
designed by the law 10 be its recipients, as there
is no penal enactment TO compel the performance
of these duties by any one. There are other de-
fec,s in this law which might be pointed out, but
il is The design OF The writer only 10 bring the
subject to the notice of the people, in order that
The next Legislature may be induced 10 correct,
as far as practicable, its mperfections.
A SOUTHSIDER.