The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-08

ture yield no return, and the burhens resulting
ns fs Sm 70 eHn %
viction that the enlargement OF the canal will pro-
duce large increase of revenue, furnishing all the
means required to pay the cost OF the work, and
that its income, after paying the debt, will ulti-
mately relieve our citizens from taxation for sup
port of government, and at the same time yield an
ample fund for the support of education and the
prosecution OF new improvements. question IKE
this, SO emnently practical, and surely within the
compre hension Of sagacious population like ours,
may safely be lett to their own intelligent decision.
The funds dedicated TO the support OF education
are in furnishing condition. The capital OF the
Common School Fund, on the 30th Of September
last, was 81, 29O 673 23-being an increase from
the preceding year Of $47 100 81 The revenue for
the last fiscal year. INCLUDING n 800 goo from me
this fund, and of its iRcome, will justify you in in.
creasing the of the distribution among the
common schools from $2s5, 900 to $500, 600 per
annum.
IL appears, from the latest returns to the surer-
ntendent of common schools, that there in the
State ii S97 school districts; that the whole
ls49, 749, 500, Of all ages, and that the whole
amount paid for teachers wages during that year,
was 81 1922 $50 "a, of which, 500, 3S9 20 was
tributed from the State treasury, and raised by
county and town taxation.
The operations OF The act Of lS49, establishing
free schools, have not produced all the beneficial
effects, nor impaired the general satisfaction an
| tcipated by the friends OF the measure. Ii has
been the policy of our State, from an early period,
| to promote the cause OF popular education, by
| liberal and enlightened legislation. A muniicent
fund, ere ated by series OF measures, all aiming
| at the same great result, has been dedicated by
the constitution to the support OF common schools
| and the annual dividend from this source will
gradually increase. The duty of the State TO pro-
vide such means and facilities will extend to all
| its children the blessings of education, and
pecially to confer upon the poor and unfortunate
participation in the benefits of our common schools,
is principle which has been fully recognized, and
| lnnu cd hu he Sulal att nd he
The vote of lS49, in favor of the free school law,
and the more recent vote, by reduced majority,
against ts repeal, ought doubtless to be regarded
as re.affrmaion OF this important principle, but
not of the provisions of the bill; leaving il ncum-
| bent upon the Legislature, in the exercise of
| sound discretion, to make such enactments as will
accomplish The general design, without injustice to
| any of our citizens An essential change was
1 made by the law under consideration, in imposing
the entire burthen of the schools upon property, in
the form of tax, without reference to the direct
benefits derived by the tax payer. The provisions
| of the act for carrying this plan into effect, have
Produced oppressive inequalities and loud COM
| plants
In some districts the discomfort and strife at
| tendant upon these evis, have disturbed the har-
| mony of society. An earnest effort should be
made to reconcile differences of opinion, to remedy
the grievances arising from the imperfect operation
/ Of the law, and To equaze the weight OF taxation
by such principles of justice and equity, will
| sure popular sanction. The success of our schools
must depend in great degree, upon the united
counsels and friendly cooperation OF the people IN
each small community composing district, and
nothing can be more injurious to the system of
| common school education than feuds and conten.
| tons among those who are responsible for its
he althful action and preservation.
| 1t cannot be doubted that all property, estates
whether large or small, will derive important ad.
vantages from the universal education OF the peo-
| pie. A well considered system which shall ensure
to the children Of all, the blessings of moral and
intellectual culture, will plant foundations, bread
and deep, for public and private virtue; and its eff.
| fects will be seen in the dminution of vice and
crime, the more general practice OF industry, so.
briefly and integrity, conservative and enlightened
1 lie gislaton, and universal obedience to the laws
| In such community the nights of property are
stable, and the contributions imposed upon II for
| the support ofgovernment are italy lghtened
| But entertain hrm conviction that the present
law requires thorough evisicn, and than entire
change In the mode Of assessment is indlspensa-
BILE.
The capital of the Literature Fund, on the 30th
of September last, was, EN-, $50 IL; the income
during the fiscal year wac $50, IL 40.
The capital Of the United State Deposite Fund
being $4,0l4,520 IL, is in highly productive state,
having yielded an income the last fiscal year of
s260, 22S o.. The revenues of this fund, during
the present fiscal year, will, doubtless, be sufficient
to justify the usual appropriations in support of col
These were omitted by the last Legislature, in
consequen nee OF appropriations in previous years ex-
ceeding the current incomes which they were
charged. 1t is worthy of your consideration, whe-
| ther the new collegiate institutions, established
within the last two years, are not entitled to an
equitable participation in the public bounty. The
higher institutions OF learning form an essential
part of our system OF education and they present
| strong claims to patronage and announcement.
The true design and legitimate effect Of every
dowment conferred upon colleges is TO cheaper
the charges for tuition, and thus enable many who
have not been favored by the advantages of fortune
TO attain the honors OF scholarship.
The allowance Of $3.50 TO each Of the county
academies, authorized by the act OF loi9, for the
educ ation of common school teachers, has pro-
duced beneficial results, and would recommend a
renewal of the appropriation.
The Normal School has been administered with
ability and success contributing largely TO the pro-
gress OF popular education. Ii ~ OF the highest
Importance that this institution should continue TO
receive an ample support.
My immediate predecessor, 10 each OF his annual
messages, recommended 10 the Legislature the
creation Of an Institution for the advancement Of
agricultural science and Of knowledge in the me
cbanc arts. There can be no object more worthy
OF public favor than the encouragement OF agrlcu-
ture and the intellectual Improvement OF the hus
| bandman. The cultivation of the soil, the print
tive pursuit Of man in a state Of civilized society,"
and The foundation Of all public prosperity, presents
the highest claim TO the fostering care Of govern
ment. AS the agricultural Is more numerous than
all ether classes combined, oil other interests de-
pend upon lis healthful progress and condition.
In connection with the subject under consider
alton, would respectfully invite your attention
TO en- able report made 10 the last Legislature by
the commissioners appointed to mature and re-
port plan Ter an Agricultural college aud Tx
ptrmental Farm. Ii cannot be doubted that an
institution Of the character proposed would pro-
mote the dissemination of agricultural knowledge,
and elevate the condition Of the people. In its
formation | would recommend an additional De-
partment for Instruction in the Mechanic Arts.
Identified in interest, each imparting strength
and vlgor TO the other, the agricultural and me-
chsIical classes combned may be said to consti-
iute the substantial power and greatness Of the
commonwealth. The free spirit Of our institu-
tons, and the incentives to effort in which this
country sbounds, are peculiarly favorable TO the
deyelopemeni Of ilveRtve genius and rapid adj
vancss in the useful arts Our unparalleled pro-
gress may be attributed IN no small degree TO the
successful skill u our artizlns, in originating aud
perfectIDg the varied improvements which increase
the producuyenesH OF labor IN most branches OF
human industry. Yet, from The nature of their
pun suits ard the necessity which subjects them to
life Of toll. too many OF our youthful mechanics
are deprived Of those means OF intellectual improve
ment which the ate has provided for other pro-
lessiGrs The Aanl La.aL .llcc.s