Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-14
THE SCHOOL REPORT

zens. and as our next paper will be issued
alter the Report will have been acted upop
we have, TO the exclusion of other matter
made room for it to-day -
At meeting OF the citizens of Wilmington, held
at Masonic Hail. on the 18th day of August Last, the
undersigned were constituted committee TO prepare
and report to an adjourned meeting of the citizen.
ito be called by them plan system of public in
struction for the town OF Wilmington; and thew
were further requested TO cause their report to be
published in the newspapers Of the town for some
days prior to the time fixed upon for such called
meeting. The following report has been prepared
and is now published, for the consideration of the
citizens, that they may act advsedly on its proys-
IONS suggest such alterations amendments as NAV
be deemed judicious; or that some other plan BY
which proper system of education, to be establish
ed in our town on permanent basis, may be sub
mit.ed.
Your committee, after having conferred together
from time to time, and given to the subject much
consideration, unanimously of opinion that the
following principles features should be regarded
as cardinal and fundamental in any system or plas
which may be adopted
First. That the course of instruction should be
thorough and equal to that of any like institutions
in our country.
Secondly. That the charges for tuition should be
fixed at such will enable all the citizens Of
the town to avail themselves of its advantages.
! Thirdly That Trustees or Visiters, to be chosen
by the citizens of the town, shall have the supervis-
ion and control of the institution.
| Fourthly That the commissioners of the town
be required should it be found necessary so to DO
contribute from the funds of the town. to its estab-
lishment and support.
Filthy That in fixing the rates of tuition, dis
elimination in favor of the children of citizens of
the town should be made.
! With features of this character embodied in the
necessary charter be granted for the proposed in
stitution, believe a set of schools or system of
instruction which would reflect infinite honor on our
town, could readily be established and perpeuated
Wilmington now contains population Of eigh: or
nine thousand persons-is the largest town in our
State, and yet to the great shame and disgrace of
our community, we are compelled thus publicly to
state that within the limits of town, there is
school for the instruction of the youth of the town,
which may be regarded as public institution: The
only school of this character which has existed with
US during the past five or six years 0he Odd Fellows
SCHOOL, having been recently discontinued. Is there
another town in country, having the population
We are certainly not expected in this enlightened
age, and under government ike ours, to say any
thing as to the advantages the utility the absolute
necessity of the proper education of every citizen
We fear it might be regarded as more than act of
supererogation on our part, implying, it would,
want of confidence alike in your intelligence and
your patriotism. As parents, as citizens OF Whining
ton, we are bound 10 provide for the youth of our
town the means of acquiring such education
will enable them fill places in the busy
of their after life with usefulness 20 themselves and
to their country. They have claims which can not
be dsregarded, and it is most sacred duty, which,
by every of enlarged intelligence and true be-
nevoence. is performeo with pleasurabIe satisfaction
to make such provision for them as their helpless
dependence on us demands. As community We
have for years past done nothing for the children OF
;. our town, and many among them now growing up
among us in ignorance and vice. may well curse US
in their manhood for this shameful derelicton of
duty. Is there any sufficient reason, any excuse
whatever jusifying total neglect of this all i'm
portant duy2 Why is it that so many of the young
of Wilmington are found in the schools of Fayete
! ville Raleigh, Hillsborough, Greensborough, and
other places we'll within as beyond the limits Of
= our own State? Our affections, our duty and our
fl Is there plrent guardian who has proper re-
ard for the young uuder his care, who would not
prefer that they should be educated under his mme-
1t date supervision where their social and moral hat
its and department.. well their intellectual cu
ture could be carefully watched and properly direct
e ed; where their health and their rrnny Important
wants could be afseclosataly cared sr aa attended
TOT Are moi parents and g1s'dlaas responsible fol-
Y the physical and moral wei Is The intellectual
\ training Of the children under their charge; and
II have they not Just for the bitterest sefre
proaeh, when manhood develops diseases of the DO
= dy mind which have resulted from the want oil
: this proper training in youth, and which might have
been prevented by that watchfu solcituie on their
part, which only be successfully bestowed when
the child is one of your own household.
Superadded to the foregoing considerations, which
no parent who has the true interest of his children
,, heart disregard without imminent hazard ia
their future welfare interest in pecuniary pou
Of view, should incite US TO their education at home
The expenses of most of the children sent from
. Wilmington and its vicinity, to schools in other pla
ces. including their travelling and other charges ne
r cessariy incident to their absence from home is
e about $500 seyerally per annum while one-ifth o.
that sum would cover their entire expenditures, il
2 educated at home. We have ascertaned since the
reference of this subject us that there are at this
s. time Including girls and boys) between IS and 4C
. children belonging to Wilmington and its immed
:, ate neghborhood, who scholars in different sem
inaries abroad-exclusve of those who are at col
lege in this State and elsewhere Assuming tina;
the number is but 35 and that the cost is $500 each
n and it shows that $lO,500 is annually paid by few
v of our citizens towards supporting schools abroad
Is not this startling fact Is it not alike duty
! and our interest, community, TO check this In
!; poverishing drain -E
Are we always to be without sufficient pubic
- institution of this kind within our town. Are we
= ever tit matters not what progress may make in
other respects what the increase of populaton)
to be dependant the transient enterprise of iud
j., viduas who solely a matter of pecuniary profit
:. to themselves may open schools among us; Schools
which change from year to year. which want all the
advantages of continuous and digested SYSTEM and
subject in no way TO the superylsion or control Of