Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-09
For the Spectator.


Common schools---Commissiore rs' Duties &c.
.Messrs Editors:-Being sensible of my Inabll-
ity to do Justice TO this important subject, VIII
only attempt to "break the ice," roughly, hoping
to arrest the attention of other and ADLER persons
particularly the Commissioners. II is important
that there should be some alterations in our School
districts and in the 0nero,ts duties of the Comms-
soners.
Our districts are quite too large; and the ser
vice required of the Commissioners without COM
pensation is too much Our districts contain sew
eral schools, and are several miles in extent. One
to my knowledge, in Augusta county is about ~
miles in length.
| Every Commissioner is required to make out
list. and report to the Superintendent the number
of poor children in his district, with their names.
ages and parents, or guardians. He must attend
the annual meeting of the board or subject himself
to a fine Of $40. The above. beside his other du-
ties, often requires several days and the payment
Of a tavern bill in town. 1t is then, not unrea-
sonabe to suppose that his duties will be lmper-
fecty done, or not done at all which is too often
the case
Districts should be of suitable sizes to contain
only one school. The Commissioners duties
would then be more tolerabe, and being more i'm
mediately interested, would insure their punctual
performance There should be comfortable school
houses built in each district, upon lands leased for
term ofyears or decided in trust for that purpose
The houses Gf not built by voluntary labor or sub
scription), should be built by property tax. and
if any surplus of funds SO raised, let it 90 to the
teacher.
This and all other things Immediately apper-
tanning to the school should be under the supervis
ion of the Commissioners, or Trustees, (perhaps
more properly called } two at least should be APP
pointed in each district, three would be better
The teacher first producing proper credentials or
evidence of his being qualified for teacher should
be employed by the month or term. The literary
fund for the district being applied. the remainder
should be paid by those not entitled TO the of it.
The teachers wages, fuel and every other ex-
pense should be included, and the teacher might
be required to make out q pro rata statement to be
examined and certified by the trustees.
By this arrangement the tuition would amount
to much less per scholar than at present. and all
would have access to school, which is not now
the case we would have good or at least comfort
able school houses which is not now the case, and
we would have good teachers which is now the
case. Several other things which cannot now
discuss, are needing amendment, all Of which
would doubtless be done for US, if we would but
ask it Of our legislators
will close these remarks by saying that would
like to see the entire literary fund appropriated to
common schools, and then if the long rejected
surplus fund" could be accepted and applied to
the same object, 1t would require but small adj
diton 10 establish the free school system, which
above all Others should be desired Until there
is an alteration and improvement in our common
school system we must expect continuation of
ignorance and vice in our midst; not only con-
tinuation, but an increase of both NOVICE.
O5- The Washington Sentinel continues. in the
face of the Administration, to uphold the Nat or
al Democrats. All honor to the courage it dis
plays 1t reflects credit on the country and the
editorial profession We subjoin paragraph from
a late number IL Rich. Whig.
PUBLIC FEELING AND SYMPATHY IN VIRGINIA
AND THE SoUTH.-A systematic and earnest effort
is making to impress the country with the belief
that old Virginia has cast in her fortunes with that
party in New York. known as the Softs, but bet
ter known, because most painfully felt, in the
South, as Freesoilers. The same effort is making
TO produce the belief that Virginia and the South
generally, approve of the course pursued towards
Judge Bronson, who, from events that have re-
Gently transpired has become the distinct and con-
spicuous representative of the principles. the per-
secutons, and the trials of the New York national
democrats Virginia and the South are misrepIe-
senled-grossly and greatly misrepresented We
say SO, and we say 50 most emphatlcally. Some
presses, catching the cue from prominent, disgtis-
ed but in truth real anti southern presses and pol
iticians, have approved of the course pursued to-
wards Judge Bronson, Governor Dickinson, and
the noble. incorruptible and patriotic party to
which they belong. These presses have been de-
ceived They will themselves find it out and find
it out very soon. The masses of Virginia and Of
the entire South. sympathze cordially with their
friends in New York--the national democrats
The soundest and most influential politicians Of
the South-those men whose opinions direct press
es, are with the same party in every feeling OF
their bearts-in every conviction of their minds.
1t will not be long before this fact will become
50 distinctly manifest that no one can deny it
The time is approaching-t is almost at hand
when no paper and no politician can stand up in
the South and say whatever the form of words he
may employ, however ingeniously he may state
it. that he rejects the true and tried friends of the
South who are now prosecuted for righteousness
sake"-and that he takes to his bosom and his en-
braces, that pestilent crew of abolitonists reeso
ers and fanatics. who know no law, no constilu-
ton, no rights o. proPerty-:nen who, II they get
sway, VII introduce anarchy and ruin in the
whole country.
In confirmation of the truth of our statements in
regard to public sentiment in Virginia, we have
published many extracts from papers and private
letters. We publish more to-. day, and intend TO
keep this up for some time. Below will be found
some to which we invite special attention.
INDIGNATION MEETrNG.-The merchants of
New York city held a meeting on the evening of
the 3lst ult., expressive of their Indignation at
the removal of Judge Bronson. 1t was largely
attended and their condemnation expressed was
in no measured terms. certain Mr. Phillips at