Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-12-17

was subsequently appointed, and it af
fords me pleasure TO say that he ha'
qualified, aud is now id the performances
Of the duties ofhis Office.
The report ofthe second auditor ppor
the Literary Fund will give you fui
information upon that subject. The
design of tho legislature in the creation
of this fund was to difFuse the blessings
Of education. The elevation of the Gu
4 pacities of all to tho powers and duties
of government, became essential in a
republic whose fouudationsrests upon
virtue andintsIlisence. 1t involved a
| like the interests of humanity and the
preservation Of the constitution, laws
and liberties Of the people. The prl.
mary school system was established
with view to promote this object. 1t
was intended especially for those who
have limited means and q short time to
spare from their daily toll. The policy
was noble one, and deserves to be ex-
tended and improved, 1t is TO 'be re-
GREETED thu: more uniform system is
not observed throughout the common
wealth. The advantages Of such a sys-
tenn are too obvious to need recitation ;
and after an experience Of several
years, the free school systom, as adopt
ed by several of the counties in the
state, strongly recommends itself to our
favor.
By an act passed at the last session,
which appropriates the entire net reSe-
nue. derived from the capi,ation tax to
the purposes primary aud free schools
the amount applicable to that object has
been increased more than two-lhirds.-
This law, however requires modifica-
ton of its details, because of,he inabil-
ity Of the first auditor TO transfer this
quota upon the first day Of January of
each year, inasmuch as the whole amt
will not have been paid into the treasu-
ry by that time. The sum of $4,000,
which has 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 teachers, or to
educate all the children who were pro-
per subjects of its bounty, Under the
provisions ofthe act referred to, there
was derived from the capitalion tax of
1852 the sum ofabout S5l,400, which,
together with the annqalappropriatiqn
Of s75, 900, made s125,l00, to be ap-
piled 10 this purpose for the last fiscal
year. This sum, even under the pres.
eut defective system, afforded very great
increased facilities for the education of
a numerous and meritorious class of
children, whose minds as readily receive
and improve the advantages of an edu-
cation as any others.
1t will be seen 6yths second auditors
report. that the permanent capital OF
the Literary fund is sl,GO6,S02 73, and
that the same is annually increasing, be-
cause its accruing revenue exceeds its
expenditures. | recommend, therefore
that an amount he annually appropriate
ed from this fund, which toge,her viii
sho sa,alies ofotiicers chnrgoatle there.
10, aud the usual allowances to the uni-
yersitv aud military institute, shall equal
its revenues. 1t is estimated that for
this purpose there will be- derived from
the capita!ion tax of 1858, tho sum Of
100000; aud in accordance with the u.
bovc recommendation, would advise
an appropriation of sS3,OOO from the
Literary fund. which would make the
sum of Sl4S,0OO, to be expended in the
patriotic and phianlhropic purpose of
educating those, many of whom are TO
take our places, and upon whose virtue
aud intelligence must depend the stu
bility aud perpetnity of our institutions.
1t is only by preserving these that we
eau hope to maintain our character and
secure the very liberty we SO highly
prize.
Among other qviIs of'he system which
have doubtless attracted your attention,
is that provision in the law which au-
,hurizes the school commissioners in
THAR respective counties to fix the price
oftuition, provided it shall not exceed
four cents por day for each day the
child may attend school. In many Of
the Counties Ike compensation IS fixed
at less than four ccH;s perday,to enable
them TO cxrond the advantages to as
many as possible. The consequence is
the services Of competent teachers can
rarely be had; those incapable ofa
proper discharge OF this delicate and
important trust are employed; tho mo-
ney is expended; and but little if any
benefit is derived. ! would advise,
therefore, for the purpose of securing
the services of competent teachers, that
higher aud uuiIorm rate be fixed by
law.
This subject must present itselfto
every rcleciing mind as one oflhe first
importance, aud ask for it your early
attention.
l am highly gra,ifed to be able to
inform you lha, the higher schools and
Il lit.