Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-12-15
THE SCHOOL Law.

1fesys Editors Understanding that petitions
are about TO be circulated in the County. asking
the Legislature to repeal, the act adopted by the
people themselves, in yune last, think il proper
TO suggest that i9c Of NE last session makes pro-
vision for proper and fair test of public scIrti
ment, in an open and legal way.
Il can hardly be expected, Whatever may Be the
opinions OF our delegates and senator as to the
policy of the law itself, that they will support
bill ofrepea unless the petitions to that effect are
signed by majority Of the voters Of the County
Andthe method Of getting signatures privately.
without full and free argumenton Both sides
Of the question, would certainly not present ID
just test Of public sentiment az bya vote Of liz
people at the polls. The friends Of the system
should therefore be on the alert Let them ask
their opponents TO adopt the lawful and open me-
thod OF proceeding land letitbe distinctly known
70 all acao are, and 5rho are nat, the true friends
Of education.
i think by this time ii may be easily ascertained
who are in reality the friends of the people-the
real and substantial friends Of the poor / am
told that most Of the large Wing properly holders
heretofore denounced as aristocrats, are paying
their school tax promptly and cheerfnlly, whilst
many of the leaders of the Democratic party. who
are great professors Of friendship fol the masses,
Especially ABOUT election time,1 are throwing
every possible influence against the measure and
are not only opposed to the tax, but are determine
ed to have the law repealed
Here is the first ssetion Of the act providing for
vote Of the people In case Of manifest dissatis-
faction WITH the system, and this being the only
fair way of testing the measure, quote ii for the
information of the public.
Be IL enacted 6y TIE GsnerM Assem5iv, That
upon the petition Of one third Of the qualified vo-
tiers in either Of the counties Of Lancaster West.
rnoreland, Richmond, King George, Accomac.
Northumberland, Londonn, Brooke, Jefferson
Henry, Frederick, Kanawha, Prince William
York, James City. Fairfax, Or in the City of VIII
liamsburg, in which the district fred school sys
TEN, provided for BY the act Of the twenty Of
February, eighteen hundred and forfy-six enti-
tied ian act 70 establish zdistrct free schools ii
the counties Of Lancaster, Westmoreland Rich.
mond Prince William. Louddun, Fairfax, and
certain other counties therein mentibned,n NAV
have been or may hereafter be adopted US ID mois
Isl Oh as IL may hereafter Be amended b General
Asscaaby, the county court Of said county, OF the
hustings court Of said city, as the case may Be.
shall direct the commissioners of election aftheF
next ensuing election for members OfItlIe general
assembly, to take the sense Of the voters in said
county or city, qualified to vote at such election
upon the question whether said district free school
system shall Be continued Ii their county Or city
the names OF those voters in favor Of said system
to be entered in the poilboo2xs in column head
ed District Free Schools and the names of tho<e
voters opposed to the continuance Of said system.
to be entered in said pollbooks in column head.
led "No District Free Schools y and said com
missioners shall return the poll Of votes 50 taken.
to said county Or hastings court.