Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-14

have only commenced during the past fiscal
year, will in a few years exhibit results
worthy of ITS projectors. The statements
of its receipts and disbursements accompa
nv the report of the second auditor, here
with communicated.
The reports of the auditor of public ac-
counts and the treasurer, will present the
state of the treasury. Irefer to. them for the
details of the revenue, and expenditure of
the government. The receipts during the
last fiscal year, including the balance in the
treasury at the end of the preceding fiscal
year, were ST. 1859, SIT 79, and the expendi-
lures for the same period, adding and de
ducting a small amount of warrants issued
and unpaid at the termination of the prece-
ding and present fiscal years, were $1,773-
618 %, leaving an unexpended balance in
treasury, on the first of October, 1853, Of
$1S6,25 81; presenting the gratifying re-
suit that the taxes raised were more than
sufficient for the ordinary expenses of gov
ernment.
The addition to the debt of the State
made at the last session, will of course re-
quire an increase in the amount of interest
to be provided for, so that we cannot esti
mate that the same balance will be in the
treasury at the end of the present fiscal year.
| 1t is estimated that the receipts into the
treasury from all sources for the present fis-
cal year will be about two millions of dol
lars and tits believed that the expenditures
for the same period will about equal the re-
ceipts, showing as stated before, that the
present rate of taxation will be sufficient for
the current expenses of government, and to
pay the interest of the entire debt of the
State, as required by the constitution. 1t
is impossible to estimate what appropriations
may be made at your present session. You
will Judge of the necessity that requires
them, and of course provide the means to
meet all our engagements and liabilities.
In connection with the monetary affairs
Of the State, have to announce the death
of the late estImable treasurer, Robert But
ler. He died in this city on the 21st day
of July last, having most faithfully dis
charged his duty to the commonwealth.
In supplying the vacancy until it can be
filled by the general assembly, | rendered
the office to Henry A. Wise of Accomack,
who declined the appointment. Jonathan
B. Stovall of Halifax was subsequently ap-
pointed and it affords me pleasure to say
that he has qualified, and is now in the
performance of the duties of the Office.
The report Of the second auditor upon
the Literary fund will give YOU full infor-
nation upon that subject The design of
the legislature in the creation of this fund
was to difuSe the blessings of education.
The elevation Of the capacities Of all to the
powers and duties of government became
essential in republic whose foundation
rests upon virtue and intelligence. 1t in
volved alike the interests of humanity and
the preservation of the constitution laws
and liberty of the people. The primary
school system was established with view
to promote this object. 1t was intended es-
pecially for those who have limited means
and short time to spare from their daily
toll The policy was noble one, and de-
serves to be extended and improved. 1t is
to be regretted, that more uniform system
is not observed throughout the common
wealth. The advantages of such system
are too obvious to need recitation and af-
ter an experience of several years, the free
school system, as adopted by several of the
counties in the State, strongly recommends
itself 10 our favor.
By an act passed at the last sesSion,which
appropriates the entire net revenue derived
from the capitation tax to the purposes OF
primary and free schools, the amount ap
plicable to that object has been increased
more than two-thirds. This law, however,
requires modification of its details. because
of the inability of the first auditor to trans
fer this quota upon the first day Of January
of each year, ,inasmuch as the whole amount
will not have been paid into the treasury by
that time. The sum of $75, 600, which had
heretofore been set apart from the revenues
of the Literary fund for the education of
poor children, had proved insufficient either
to secure the services of competent teach
ers, or to educate all the children who were
proper subjects of ITS bounty. Under the
provisions of the act referred to, there was
derived from the capitaton tax of 1852 the
sum of about $51, 400, which, together with
the annual appropriation of S75, 600, made
S126, 400, to be applied to this purpose for
the last fiscal year. This sum, even under
the present defective system, afforded very
great increased facilities for the education
Of numerous and meritorious class of chill
diem, whose minds as readily receive and
improve the advantages of an education as
any others.
1t will be seen by the second auditors
report, that the permanent capital OF the
Literary fund is St,6O6, ,SO2.73, and that
the same is annually increasing, because Its
accruing revenue exceeds its expenditures.
I recommend, therefore, that an amount be
annually appropriated from this fund, which,
together with the salaries Of officers charge
able thereto, and the usual allowances to
the university and military institute, shall
equal its revenues. 1t is estimated that for
this purpose there will be derived from the
capitation tax of 1853, the sum of $50, 600;
and in accordance with the above recon-
mendation, would advise an appropriation
of $50, 900 from the Literary fund, which
would make the sum of s $4,000, to be eX-
pended in the patriotic and philanthropic
purpose of educating those, many OF whom
are to take our places, and upon whose vlr-
tue and intelligence must depend the sta
bility and perpetuity of our institutions. 1t
is only by preserving these that we can
nope to maintain our character, and secure
that very liberty we so highly prize.
Among other evils of the system which
have doubtless attracted your attention. is
that provision in the law which authorizes
the school commissioners in their respec-
tive counties to fix the price of tuition. pro-
vided it shall not exceed four cents per day
for each day the child may attend school.
In many of the counties the compensation