North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-27

ised and employed. They would be satisfied with /
smaller compensation, while their soft and gentle
manners, Purer morals, greater tact In insructing
young children and tanning the wild and stubborn, fit
them ina peculiar degree for this office.
In some OF the counties, am happy to be able to
say that their schools are well managed and ac
compshing, with marked effect, the benefcient re-
suits aimed at by the laws and is be hoped that
such is the in Others. But there is no official in
formation upon the subject and what design to say
Isl that the very want of this information demonstrates
the absolute necessity of some radical amendment.
This necessity suggests the expediency of creating
officer in the Government, to take the general
charge this whole business in accordance with the
practice in other States. and with the earnest and re-
peated recommendation of my predecessors
This officer might be designated the Minister of
Public Instruction. or the General Superintendent of
Common Schools. 1t should he made his duty to
examine all the Public schools in the State ascertain
the length oftime each district school is kept up the
number and qualification of Teachers, the mode of in
strucon to direct the arrangement of school houses,
and procuring proper school books the settlement and
arrangement of the financial department; and he should
be required TO report to the Legislature upon all these
matters, with such observations experience might
suggest. upon the general condition and efficiency OF
our system. and the most practicable means of improv-
ing it. The duties of such officer would be abor-
Gus, and the salary should be such would com and
the most eminent qualifications. and engage undivid-
ed attention.
His compensation might be charged npon the Lit
erary Fund, and not drawn from the general Treasu-
~; and it would be returned to that fund in en-fold
value, by impartng heathulness and vgor and effi-
cheney to the system.
The last General Assembly seems to have been full
of the necessity of some general supervision;
but while they declined to authorize the appointment
of one general supervisor at reasonable salary they
authorized each county court to appoint for each
County. at salary of $3.50 each, with power given
to the Courts to lsya tax topay it.
In my judgment it is much better to have one
general superintendent, competent and responsible, at
expense of 50 500, paid out of the Literary Fund.
than to have seUenynine superintendents dispersed
through the State without concert union of design
and action, at aggregate expense OF $1,000 per
annum, drawn, too, from the pockets of the people
by taxation.
Onr common school system. then, regarded either
in the light of the patriotic and noble purposes intend
ed to be accomplished by it, or considered with refer
to the proper direction and fair disbursement Of
so large of public money, requires thorough
revision and amendment.
Having been member of the Literary Board from
its first organization and having bestowed some at
tention upon this sub ect feel in conclusion. fully
warranted in recommending. the most efectual
means of attaining the ends referred the appoint
ment of general superintendent of common schools
for the State.
The President and Directors of the Literary Fund
WILL in due time. submit a report showing in detail
the state and condition of this Fund. and the pro-
ceedings of the Board other subjects committed
to their management.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
The Internal Improvement of the condition Of the
State has been repeatedly and earnestly pressed
upon the Legislature within the past twelve years, by
my predecessors in Office, that nothing new can be
snperadded. The people are now demanding some
relief foN the exgency of their wants, good market
towns within our own borders, and the means of
cheap transpo rtaton to reach them.
The day has passed by for writing essays on the
importance of Rail Roads, and Plank Roads, and
navigable Rivers. The practical results in other
States around u.s. offer their accumulated ties timony
of the increased wealth and enterprise which they
confer upon the people, and will expose to just rdi-
Guile and contempt State that will continue to shut
her eyes upon the light of experience, and fold her
arms in apathy and sloth, when her very existence
demands patriotic. energetic and enlightened action.
The public works now in progress in North Caro-
ma, exhibit the fruits of an awakened sensibiity,
and point with unerrng certainty and force to the
prosecution and completion of others not yet COM
meaced.
| The extension of the North Carolina Rail Road
East and West connecting it, on one hand, with the
! commerce of the Atlantic Ocean, and the other,
with that great current and stream of ntercommuni-
cation in a high degree forming the ligdments and
arteries of the National Union must occupy promi-
nent position in any scheme promising to ennobe and
improve the State.
Other works, more sectional in their character will
readily present themselves to the favorable consider
alton of those more Immediately interested in them.
To what extent it will be prudent at this time to
embark in new works of Internal Improvement, IN
til ample means shall have been provided for the
faithful and energetic completion of those already
authorized and undertaken, it is not for me to say.
/ RALEIGH AND CASTOR RAIL ROAD.
The Raleigh and CASTOR Rail Road being now the
property of the State, will claim that attention which
is due it, we'll from the consideration of its con-
venience and value to large portion OF the State as
on account of the deep pecuniary interest which Is
attached to it as the States property.
The superstructure of the road, both of iron and
wood, is in very dilapidated condition, and extern
sve repairs are absolutely indispensable to its further
use. The commissioners to whose care the Legisla
ture committed it, have with watchfui Indulgence
and with the efficient aid of the President and the
other officers of the Road. kept it up; and by curta
ing expenses, reducing salaries and enforcing the
stricest economy in all its departments, have beer
E able to continue its operations without making 1t
charge upon the State Its receipts for the year l649
have been equal about $62,l so, and for the yea
1850, $68 055, the whole of which has been consum
ed in the ordinary current expenses, and In the pur
/ chase Of iron and repairs.
To enable you to understand the true state and sit
uation of this property and egisate nelligibly
, upon the subject the Board of Commissioners EN-
pioyed Maj. S. NJ. Fox, an Engineer of skill and ex
peTience examine the whole line of the road ane
its appurenances, the grading. the superstructuFe
the Bridges, Depos, Engines, &c. &C., and to make
report thereon. This will present more reliable
and satisfactory account of 1t than could be given b.
I the Board of Commissioners, the officers of thu
g Board, or by any committee of the General Assem-
bly,. This report will be laid before you in shor
time, together with report Of the President OF th
: Road and the proceedings of the Board of Commits
e soners tor the two years last past.
y, STATES CLAIM ON UNITED STATES.
In accordance with resolution adopted by the las
d General Assembly, relating to the States CLAIM
+ against the General Government, for money advanc
ed and transportation furnished to the North Caro-
lima volunteers in the recent with Mexico, at al
IF early day after the adjournment of the Assembly,
procured from the Comptroler's Office the voucher