Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-23
For the Enqui'
EDUCATI0N

In 1876, rather more than two years since,
there was considerable excitement in your coun
~ on the subject Of Education The cause OF
this unnecessary and uncal ed for excitement
was, that the haly and sacred cause Of Educa
lion was blended most improperly with politics,
and, BY some m ans or otAer, there was an Edu
cation candidate and an anti Education candi-
date. This was an issue that the friends of
general Education would have avoided, though
after il was made by the opponents OF the
measure, it was sanctioned from necessity.
The election Of the anti Education candidate
has been considered by many as solemn de-
cision on your part that you wholly disapproved
OF system If District Free Schools. Now |
am one of those who never regarded the cleo
ton of tho anti-Educaton candidate in any such
light, and am very confident hat a mere re
ference TO the circumstances Of the case will
satisfy any thinking mind that my decision is
not erroneous II was notorious, that many who
voted for the anti Education candidate were in
favor Of the system Of District Free Schools
yea, were anxious TO see them established, but
from personal considerations, and dislike 10
make tie Education question party question,
voted without any reference to it. Again-it was
well known that many warm friends OF Free
Schools did not vote at all because OF the ex :
element Another consideration of much i'm.
portance is, that the number OF votes poIled
that Spring was small. If then we take the
friends of Education, who voted for the anti
candidate, and those who did not vote a all
that were known friends Of Free Schools, and
add them TO the number of votes actually re-
ceived by the Education candidate, we see very
clearly that even in 1916, where many oppo-
sers were using all their influence, and opPo-
.ilion to Free Schools was as strong as it
could be under any circumstances, majority
of the people of King William county were in
favor Of District Free Schools.
For many wise considerations however, it
was expedicnt that the question should not be
agitaled for a year or two We have had time
TO reflect on what was said for and against Ge
neral Education-we are now wiser grown"
from actual experience, and it is time that the
people shall say what they think OF, and what
lhey are willing to do with reference TO Free
Schools But, first OF ALL let il be distinctly
understood that The subject is in no manner or
form to be connected with politics, or identl-
fed with The county candidates !. is generally
understood that we are 10 have two candl-
dates-Mr Tomln and Mr.. Roane. Let II
now be said To tnese gentlemen, 'iou have no
Thing to do with Education in the canvdss-we
want nc vote from you-we want no action on
the mart Of either If elected 10 the Legislature,
for the Legislature has done all 1t can do, or
that we now desire that il shall do. Whatever
subjects you may name, or points discuss De-
f. re the Peep e, name not-nay, even 6rcathc
not-lhe subject OF Free Schools In the
name Of reason, hy every consideration oil
right a nd propricty, let the voters Of the county
ro 10 the polls, and vote for Tomiin or Roane,
as they may please, and a, the same time say
whether they be willing 10 adopt the system OF
Free schools as the system OF County Educa-
ton.
In 1916, certain gentlemen, Jealous IN their
opposition 10 Free Schools, proposed suo'ti-
tule 10 educate The poor of the several ne'gh'
porhoods by subscriptions and some suoscr'P
lions were actually raised, but as vel me hiss
dime has not been paid, and the miserable sys-
tenn that has existed among US so long, mas, III
no respect. been changed, and many poor
how, gifted by Nature with the best order oil
mind, has been neglected, and is total los TO
the community. Other gentlemen, equally OPP
posed to the system Of Free Schools 10 1916,
said that the system then proposed was ooJec.
,iona5e in many respects, and that they would
do all they could 10 prevent lis adoption, but
thai after the election they would propose
less Objectionable plan. But 10 plan has as
vet been devised; and We see the same ndliier-
ence and want of interest, that have well nigh
ruined our county and state, existing on The
subject If Education, and the poor siill neg
lectet.
MANY objections that were urged against Tree
schools in 1916 cannot be urged now, because
many counties that had not then adopted mem
nave since done so, and experience, Inc oestteach-
or in the wori, decides in favor OF their pract'-
cabiiity Look 10 Henry county The people
adopted the system 10 1886; The opponents urged
that they had done il without knowledge, pfetna-
,urely. and with III reflection; and asked the L.
o,>lature 10 repeal The law. The Leglslai
wisely submitted The question TO The people
AGAIN and, after having every thing said lor ano
aoainst. the people of Henry adop'ed free schools
hv vote at two TO one and The system works
veil Look 10 Norfolk county-ihe last county
that We would suppose 10 he suited TO the esa
| bI;sbm.nr Of Tree schools There The system ha'
h,en in operation Tor years and no power coule
induce ihe people 10 change IL. Surely, men, !,
| Henry county, in The mountains, ano Norio'F
county. on the margin OF The sea, can suecess1ur
10 .dont a sys,em OF Tree schools, there IS 20 Iea
s,n nnder Heaven Why King William shall
| not. b,v;no
| There never has been such thing as having
an educated people without money, ana no WIS
I dom of man can GevIse scheme III Witch ~
u taxation !. required. To have education, w
mus. have money, and. to have money. We Ven mus IS
have ,axatop; and The most equitable mode Is
no, .vsrv man shall be taxed in proportion II
s;a ,,,onsr,v The slave owner canno', then
nomplain Ihat he is taxed to support The capital
is, nor he capitalist, that he is taxed 10 suppor
The slave owner and mechanic. Since !. require
All SORTS q characters 10 make up soc'ety' an
society linked sssSs " 80 bs,e
no more eouiiable mode Ct taxation, Than Ina
evsrv one snail pay in proportion 10 his proper
~ The burden is dif1used by this means, ant
the blessing is enjoyed by all
! Fellow.ciliz.ns, there are many other advan