The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-11-27

the existing law, the several County Courts
NAV. in their discretion, levy a tax, as other Q
taxes are levied for county purposes, not less
than one half the amount annually received
from the Literary Fund. Were this provl'
sion COMPULSORY, or carried out in good faith
in all the counties the fund would be so aug {
men,ed as TO increase the number oil schools
and also the length Of time they might he
ken, nm. But il is believed that there is no
uniform rule upon this subject. Some OF the
counties, with commendable spirit, levy fair
/, tax, others levy a very small one, while very
many Of the counties levy no tax at all.
Hence it results that in those counties, de-
pendent solely on the Literary Fund, the sum
they receive, when subdivided among large
number of school districts, is SO small Tor each
that many of the districts have no schools at
all and derive no benefit from the provision.
Ii is believed, that in many parts OF the
State public attention has not been sufficient. I
" awakened to the grea, importance and
blessings Of the limited and partial instruction
even, to the rising generation, which may be
obtained in these schools.
Our people DO no, take hold of the subject
with tina, energy and spirit essential 10 It's
success. A general lis,lessness prevails
Those tina, can afford it, send their children
elsewhere TO school, while the poorer classes
keep thars a, home TO work. Throughout
the Slate you see everywhere on the high.
wsvs school houses deserted, the doors brok-
en- from their hinges, and the grass growing
, in the yard. Why is this Besplss those
already alluded to- one prominent cause doubt
. less, 10 the difficulty Of procuring proper
Teachers, qualified BY education and good
| morals, TO direct the young. Our men pre-
s fer, for the mos, part, more active employ.
, ment. LIE, female Teachers then be patron.
ised and employed. They would be satisfied
n with smaller compensation, while their SOIL
. aud gentle manners, purer morals greater
d tao, in ins,ructing young children and tanning
i, the wild and stubborn, fiji them 10 peculiar
degree for this office.
e In some Of the counties, am happy to be
= able TO saw, that their schools are well man.
. aged and are accomplishing, with marked ct
h feet. the bsnefcent results aimed al by the
:, laws. and It is 10 be hoped that such Is the
!, case in others. But there is no official IN
e formation upon tho subject, aud wat design
N 10 saw is, that tho very want OF this INFORM
d alton demonstrates the absolute necessity
10 Of some radical amendment. This necessity
e suggests the expediency Of creating new
a officer In the Government, to take the general
,e charge Of this whole business, IN accordance
With the practice 10 other States, and with
a, the earnest and repeated recommendation o.
lie my predecessors.
I. This officer mi ht be des gna,ed the Min.
lister Of Public destruction, or the General
D, Superintendent, Of Common Schools. L should
be made his duty TO examine all the public
Of schools in the State, ascertain the length o!
r time each dis,ric, school is kept uf, the num-
II. Der and qualification Of Teachers, the mode
oy Of instruction; 10 direct the arrangement o.
tn school houses, aud procuring proper schoo
ne hooks the se;tlemsn, and arrangement OF IN
,u, financial department; aud he should be re
re. uuired to make report 10 the Lrgl''aluf
unon all these matters, with such observation
", as experience might suggest, upon the gene
on al condition and efficiency OF our system, an
M the mos, practicable means Of improving l
TO. The duties Of such an officer would be labor
or Gus, and the salary should be such as woul
ed command the most eminent qnahhcahoh
YES and engage undivided attention.
His compensation might be charged upe
il. the Literary Frnd, and not draws from II
,i,y general treasury; and 1t would be rsturnt
to tina, fund 10 ten fold value, by imPartir
BOO healthfulness and ylgor, and efficiency to Il
The system.
SUN The las, General Assembly seems TO ha
ties been fuly aware Of the necessity OF some &c
rlng eral supervision; but while they declined
sy. authorize the appointment, OF one general
hiss 3eryisor at reasonable salary, they author
i no ed each County Court 10 appoint one Tor ca
less County, a, salary Of $3.50 each, with pc"
heir given to the Courts to lay tax TO pay II.
how In nv ludgmen, it is much better 10 ha
one general superintendent, competent
terra. responsible at an expense Of S2,0oo, P
SEES. gu, of the Literary Fund, than 10 have ser
and tn nine superinlendsn,s dispersed through
uah. State, without concert or union OF design
nph action, a, an aggregate expense OF $l9
avs, per annum, drawn, too, from The pockets
and the people by taxation.
Our common school system, then, rega
ian Of ed either in the light Of the patriotic and
Dunty Bile purposes intended to be accomplished
1 day il, or considered with reference to the Pre-
, wi. direction and fair disbursement Of so lar:
e Lit. sum of public money, requires thorough
(, au. vision and amendment
nance Having been member Of tho LiieI
coun. Board from It's first organization, and ha
en- IN bestowed some aueh'ioh upon 'h's ."oJe'
chools feel, IN conclusion, iuily warranted !" 'oe
ne the mendiug as the most eiisc'uat "ea"' "
~ has tanning the ends referred TO- the appo'"''
ndenfs of general superintendent OF cofh'"o" 'c'
alto for the State.
on re. The President and Directors of the
,c,ory rary Fund will, in due tune, submit re
mode showing in detail the state and cond''l'
old h, this Fund, and the proceedings of the b
Ia the on other sui lecls committed 10 their mat