Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-15
DAILY RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURsDAY MoRN1SG 1:oIaR11IRs EEnR11.RV = sxo.

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DAILY RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MoRNING, FEBRUARY ~ $50
THE INSTITUTE OF THE VIRGINIA GUARD.
We hope that the House will promptly the bill be
fore them in relation this sautary reform We regard
matter OF deep mportanceas, In fact the nucleus of
wise and efficient system of Education We shall not reite
rate the views which have already fully presented We
convinced that If the minds of the members be stripped
Of the unfounded preudces floating through the community
If they will examine cooly and calmly the plain merits
the queston-they cannot hesitate give vitality this
saluary, common measure The simple question s
whether they will continue devote s22 900 mere po
ce for the protection of the public property here; will
convert that TO the advancement of Education the
training up of teachers for the primary schoosa the same
time securing the efficient police which have7
sufficient guard for the public property can be obtained for
between $4,000 and s4OOO why thcn waste is done nt
present the of Sl9 000 Why devote to the noble
purposes of enghtening the Ignorance of the and2 We
ask the Committee Of Schools and tho members Of the Ie
eslature examine the subject for themselves We have
not vet heard even plausible argument against this
School Members may attempt to cvade the main question
by amusing sncsrs the doctrines of 9S and 99"but
will that be sufficient the inquiries of their
s,uen why they advocated the expenditure Of this large
sum for mere "suard" which could have been procured
At price-and why they did appropriate the public
money the more useful purpose of Educaton2
We glad that the has been brought forward at
early date and under such favorable auspices If the
friends of the and are glad believe that it
commands the favor OF many of the wisest heads Of the Le
gsature) do their duty look upon certain
Hitherto this oversaughed by other press
ing at the heel of the session Let II be fairly
discussed and promptly acted and sanguine of its
adoption. We have the sincere qualification know that
Governor Floyd Is friend of the Institute This
measure which destined confer such great benefits upon
the State will be such radical REFORM the whole peo
pie of Virginia will sustain The passage of this bill will
place rhe present Legislature high ground II will be
evidence that the Legislature resolved to look the
grea, of the State and that the public
be devoted to wise and valuable purposes Let tho
be fairly and fully discussed and confident OF hap
py result.
But word objections which have heard
rased against this An idea is prevailing, that if
this institute s established the grounds upon which the
ry erected will revert to the heirs assigns of the former
proprietor. This ground was given for Amory and no
dreams of aboishing the Armory II 10 simply the chang
ing of the Guard which body Of enlisted has
ncction with the Armory their organic laws being entirely
different and in way related. The Armory is remain
untouched-the and other public property continue
where they are and the still 60 with
their work. the expense of which is be by annual
appropriation entirely distinct has bcen from that
for the Public Guard.
We also find impression exists in the minds Of some
gentlemen that will be improper post sentnss at the
Penentsry-hat parents may hesitate place their
the school, when such duties TO be performed We do
feel the force of this obecton for taking the cadets be-
the ages of II and e. and putting the Oldest duty
in that institution they will be about twenty years
of age and old enough for any duty of that
character
But this be considered an objection BY the Legislature
can be removed thus Take from the S22 600 the
0 and let this latter amount to the Superintendent OF
the Penssnary with which TO hire citizen watch is
done in almost every State in the Union This will relieve
the cadets from that duty and nothing, in the slightest de-
greo Objectionable then be complained Of The annual
appropriation for the school will then bs with which
81 State Cadets be kept the institutions which,
add the so pay Cadets the whole number will be 1877
Does this fact present strong arguments In favor
Of roiomf
Tho Editor of the Petersburg Inegencsr who is
ber Of the House. and whom hail efficient coaduor
this question of State policy in lS5 presented tho ques-
ton in strong light Referring the late Education Con-
vention, he wrtes
zone great object sorry hear was passed by viz:
the establishment of normal school in the stead of that
gus the Commonwealth yclspt the State Guard The
great which e1sts that of teachers should be
the policy of the State to have teachers reared up with
knowledge Of and reverence for the laws and institutions
Virginia rather than import strangers abroad and
de them the delicate and important duty of forming the
minds Of the youth of State There another consde-
ration without it's weight The learned professions arc
filled to repleon and scores Of young in Virginia
are annually commencing the hopeless task earning
maintenance from them The lapse year or two finds
them just where they in point of fortune and il is even
fortunate when this is tho only mischief for in very many
cases the deness engendered by want of employment
produces vicious habits which last them through life and
often bring life TO premature close How much better
would il be- IL the Government would make the profession
teacher what ought to be- an honorable and compensa
ing employment.
aPersons receiving their education in the school which
have alluded would leave accomplished teachers and
compensang the State for their education by teaching
in the primary schools more years. would be enabled
to upon life with honorable profession that wou
earn for them honorable maintenance The money now
expended this humbug standing army Of 50 men, woue
establish the school, and in four years should begin to
zo the benefits of the change conceive no reasona
Die objection TO this conversion Of positive evil into po
sys good AS far as the State Guard is useful police
force for the city of Rchmondas suggested to By
citizen yesterday have idea that the State shall ap
propriae than 10000 dollars year TO keep police TO
Richmond Richmond has claim upon the treasury
such object than any other community in the Com
| monwealth
By tho bill now before the House. it contemplated
to make the Cadets do the duty of Penenary guard which
been much objected to- gnobe and degrading (s
say many 1t is opinion but to take from the S2
5OO he annual appropnation sufficient sum for the Su
oerintendent Of the Penitenary to hire twelve addona
citizens prices corresponding with the cost of soldiers
and with those twelve and the others he has, form hi
own guard is dono every other Pententary in tn
Cnion This will relieve the Cadets from oil connection will
the Peni,entiay and thus remove any prejudice parents
might feel as to having their surrounding this prison.
-Ss>--
SOUTHERN CONVENTION.
The Alabama Legislature have appointed the whole mum
Der Of Delegates to the Nashville Convention They arr
said TO be abe prudent hghtoned gentlemen AS the Mont
gomcry Advertiser says;
"Aabama is where she ought be- side BY side with Mis-
sisspp, Virginia. Georgia. and South Carolina Tho ohe
Southern States will be there Tho more unanmty
the South the more hope for tho Union and the Constitution
which we devouty hope may weather the storm with which