Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-01

here be any doubt on this question, pre-
ume there can be none as to the Proprety of
the distributive share OF each
County until the Chairman Of Superintendants
shall have made satisfactory Reports. as to the
disposition made Of her previous receipts and
he state of the Schools, and the educational in
erest within her limits. There is now no suffi-
cient accountability for the expenditure of the
money, or the effective administration of the
system. Where it operates we'll, it is rather ow-
ing TO the public spirit and enlightened labors of
lis administrators than to any legal obligation
upon them. Our misfortune however is that
in many situations we can obtain no knowledge |
of its operation al all. Not more than two thirds
of the Counties, at the utmost, have reported
It's condition in them, in any one year; and
considerable number have never given any IN
dicatlon OF IFS existence in them, except in !
drawing their shares in the distributions made
from the Treasury. If you shall not think pro-
per 10 institute rigid enquiry as TO the DISPOSE
ton which has been made of the public funds
in these counties, it is highly expedent, in order
10 ascertain the practical operation of the sys-
tenn, and 10 collect mass of information, for
its improvement, that Committee of the Le-
gsIature shall summon before them such and
so many of the Chairmen in various Counties,
or other intelligent persons. as they shall re-
quire, and take their examination, on oath,
touching the merits of our present School
laws, and their administration in the COM
munity. This mode of obtaining kn"wl .
edge to enlghten the. course of Legislation
is not unfrequent in other Parliamentary
Assemblies. and cannot but be Of great utility OH
the subject under consideration. No concern Of
the State is now of greater importance. whether
we regard the amount of monies expended o: the
object intended to b. accomplished. am yet of
opinion that a school Commissioner to supervise
its administration, visit the several Counties and
districts, advise to its management, exact sccoun
liability from the County authorities. give pubici-
| ty to their proceedings, and the due need Of
praise to the deserving, and censure TO the den-
quent. is indispensable TO the success Of these
schools, at least until they are established on a
better foundation than at present, and that the ne
ccssity Of such an agent would be demonstrated
by the investigation now proposed
undry interesting matters pertaining to the
| Swamp Lands. under the control Of the Literary
Board, will no doubt receive your attention in
their report which will be laid before you without
delay.
The recent return Of our volunteers &c their rrs-
pcctive neighborhoods with the familiar know.
ledge OF discipline acquired in service Of eigh-
teen months, affords advantages for the improve.
ment Of our militia system: and the revision oil
our code under that head is again recommended to
attention.
The term Of the Honorable George E. Badger
as Senator of the United States from this State
will expire on the Alb of March next and the
election Of successor. will he among you: duties
The completion Of the enclosure around Unior
square presents fiji occasion for paying long de
p ferred tribute to the memories OF the two martyr
to the liberty and glory Of the State. Brigade
Generals Francis Nash and William Davidson
the former of the Continental Iic from this State
and the latter commanding our Militia force. a
the period of the British invasion, were both kill
ed in battle. in the war for Independence and il
the gallant discharge of duty. The Continents
: Congress Immediately after the fall of each. ex
pressed their sense of his character in terms o
the highest commentator. and requested the Gov
crnOr of The State to cause monument in honor
of him to he erected, at cost of Five hundre,
dollars, and to draw on the National Treasury 70
the respective amounts. But nothing has eve
been done to give effect to these resolutions.
l recommend that simple monument of native ma
tera, with suitable inscriptions in regard 10 each
r he reared in the grounds of the Capitol. and tina
+ an appropriation not exceeding The aggregate q
= tho sums above stated he made for the purpose
r 1t would be fitting memorial Of the patriot
services and sacrifices Of the iIlusrious dead an
perpetual incentive 20 the living. to lead sue
o lives and if duty demand it, 10 dev ote themseIvr
. to such deaths, for their Country.
! At the solicitation Of Sundry good citizens
- suggest the proprety of adopting joint resolutio
. requesting the Governor in future to recommen
= some day in each r"curring year. to be observe
in the manner each individual or community ma
: think best a day of thanksgiving TO the A
mighty ruler of nations for his kindness and cal
e over US as people. The custom of such On oil
/, servance is now nearly universal in the St4te
and seems to be but fitting reguital 70. the "a,
g o ors enjoy.
l. Having received information of the deaths
l. James X. Hill, and Harrison w. Covinptnn. Sc,
l. ators, and Alfred Marler, member of The House
n Commons, aud the resignation of Hugh Wad.le
8 Senator. and A. c. Mcintosh, and Henry
l. Walters, members of the House. all elected TO Il
g present General Assembly, have issued writs
al election to supply the several vacancies.
With great Difference to the General Assembl
10 | recommend more strict supervision of the e
h. rolnent Of the Acts which may receive their san
!, ton. The wisest intentions may fail of effect
10 clerical omissions or inadvertence, and cases ha
10 occurred where the EXTREMIST license of constru
n ton barely sufficient to effect the known pu
-, poses of the trainers of the Law.
- The designations of Justices of the Peace, sin
. the last Session are transmitted in the packa
market A. and the Resolutions and proceedin
80 ofsundry State Legislatures. requested to be la
u before you. in that marked B.
:, Copies of the reports of the Comptroller for I
ie year ending LIST Nov, Is47 printed for the use
II the General Assembly are likewise sent herewi
" My Letter Book will be submitted to YOUR
IN specon by my Private Secretary at tho CONVEX
~ encc of the Legislature
as AS the most appropriate opportunity which m
IL Occur IN the brief remainder of my term of otit
st desire, in conclusion, to acknowledge my pr
ne found obligations to the people of the State,
* the honors bestowed by their hands and the con
nj dence of kindness which has been extended
my official action. to repeat my vows of devot
rs to the great principles of constitutional freedo
n which are the basis of our system of Governmel
70 and my most ardent wishes for the enduring pr,
r. Peri'y, happiness, and glory Of our Country.
on WILL. A. GRAHAM.
10 Executive DErARrMExr,
~, Raleigh. Nov. 81, ls4S.
st Compliment to Gen. 7aylor-Tbe owl
ne Of the steamship United States, Chas. II. nj;
oo shall, Esq, has sent telegraphc dispatch
ne New Orleans instrnctinO the can,a;n &c -