Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31
MIR. FULrz ON EDUCATION.

In the circular which Mr.. Fultz has addressed to me
oa be oives the following as one Of the reforms which
he would support, if elected TO the Convention
"Our government rests upon the virtue and intelligence
of the people am, therefore zeaors advocate io i
ora, system of Education 1t only BY general diffusion
of nowledpe that we can secure firm foundation for Inc
nermanency and perpeuity Of onr free Institutions his
sh s Under the control of ordinary legislation, out So
mmrlantis it. that am in favor Of making the duly Oh
the Legislature 10 provide an efficient system.
can hardly suppose that this was mere a'te'np.
the people by using words which sgnlly houis, III
, he s as VAGUE and indefinite as any man well couio
b, charity reoures suppose he was IN earnest ahu
-, h meant something substantial, from which ne 'oes
nat mean TO back he did from nlsVeto noO"S|oh
liz bh pronerty qualification for representatives. ana MS
resrcons on the right of the Legislature 10 Interfere IN
REGARD to federal relations.
Assuming then that he Is IN earnest WIN 0'''' '''
ITnder the present law there is system of popular edu-
devised and carried out into detail and II is leit WIN
the people to adopt not by vote taken unde 'e a-
thortv of law This puts the matter on Inc rgnt loo'ng
owing to the difference in the character OF ulee' seo
tons Of our State, what VIII 90 io one WI" ios " ~
tber L. IS therefore wise to let the people OF each County
dacda The matter for themselves. In rich ana thch'y
settled county it may do very well TO adopt scnene
which wonld not suit at all for poorer and more '"iy
peoped region ; ,rho,ber
wishes IN substitute his Judgment for theirs ana 10 coPe
them 10 submit to such system Of taxation as ne anu NIB
ssociaes in the Convention may choose TO impose U" .e
And II must be remembered too that the system 10 "o "
repeaed at the pleasure Of the people. IL ~ ~
grinding and oppressive ii may be- IL Is 10 % !;
The ceramic law and remain until anolher Coh'eho" "
called ,,,. ~, neo,re wish In
Jn, svseu thew can DO il for themselves bat ie' Us
have nothing coinpusian ,,. .
What would be the cost OF such sys'e"' }" -
IN he of anv nraeca benefit must have school house
in the centre af every section Of five miles square, NOW
as the County of Augusta has about 9uU square u' ''
vond reouire abpu; SO school houses Es'maung 'ne'e
to cost with their furniture &C., Soo1 9ac', We na;e
cost al the outset of eighteen thousand doS " W
By taxation on The county, ~ ,,u,,o,,
teachers Won must nav them least S4O0 piece year
This makes the sum Of fourteen thouSai'a jo" n""eo
dollars more 10 be levied by taxation, mol lot single year
but every wear, on the people. Ana iot wna' why
have their children taught things hey don't wish ,ne
! know And who is 10 cHoose '"e 'eIo"o'' ~
course the nreyainp religious sect In the neghborhood
And tbus Methodisls must send TO Presbyterian teachers
nd pesbvterians 10 Melhodsts, and both to Roman Gam
ocs or Baptists or Unltaans, or Epscopaans or Au'
Grams. or Menonists, or Dmkards ~ .,d
II is EASY TO seq how this would work. lhefe o ,
be no freedom of choice You must send 70 .ie
chosen for you or YOU must pay your tax a"u ee
FIR vour money / ask those of my neighbours WIZ ia
seen how it works in Pennsylvania to say whether !. does
not often bannen that man has to pay MY OF Que
dollars to support school which he is un"'i'"g ''''
his children TO. ,hov s.nc,ion such ;
PTyp''F Eli stands pledged 10 carry out some'hn!
e oloc,sd Those who wish II, may vote 10
OF the kina go for free trade in such matters
nm W, ,Le children in their way and in the!
owa faith viii pause long before hey will record t the s
'o''s ~ ID Tar themselves will be very apt to NEE
ibo nronoson at the outset with their solemn protest
Inc P'oPo''''0" - FARMER.