Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-12-19

II ed an act declaring y buAt HueueteE tI9
annual income Of the Literary fund shall
exceed 100000, the surplus above that
sum. until such surplus shall amount to
1 $50, 600, shall be appropriated to the en-
dowment Of such colleges, academies, or
intermediate schools within the common
wealth as the general assembly may here
after designate as fit institutions for such
endowment" The receipts into the trea.
sury to the credit of the Literary fund for
the last fiscal year were upwards of $117.-
600. Would it not be advisable TO deS
vote portion of this sum to aid such of
the colleges in the State as are not already
endowed. They confessedly contribute
largely to the intelligence, wealth and
power of the commonwealth. and furnish
a large portion of those who develop its
resources, guard its honor and WELD its
destiny. Most of these institutions have
been established by private mpnifcenoe''
by subscriptions from the mass of the peoa
:Eple and where they have been enabled
to accumulate sufficient fund by such.
means to erect Unnecessary buildings. il,
affords the best evidence that they are
demanded by the educational wants of
the people, who have thus contributed to-
sustain them. Suppose, then, in addition
to the erection of the buildings, it should
be required that when any institution of
this character shall have raised fund
by subscription of not less than $50, 900,
and invested the amount in State securi>
ties at par, and deposited these securities
to be held by the Literary fund, in trust
for their benefit, then, in addition to the
interest arising from the bonds, an appro-
priation should be made from the Literary
fund to such college, of an amount equal
to the interest of $685. This would
give to each institution complying with
these terms, an endowment equal to SS75,-
900, exclusive of buildings, and would
contribute greatly to place it upon a solid
foundation, insuriug its usefulness to all
time. In like manner, when an hundred
thousand dollars should be raised and in
vested, the interest upon $50, 900, might
be appropriated. And to prevent too
large drain from the Literary fund. the
maximum amount might be limited to
such sum as the general assembly might
deem expedient. 1t is believed that se>
veral of the colleges could without difi>
Guilty obtain the necessary funds to COM
ply with these acquisitions. The invest-
ment in State securities would contribute
greatly to raise the value of these securi-
ties, and the bonds would be held by our
own institutions and when redeemed,
the amount would be Immediately rein-
vested, always aiding in sustaining the.
public credit. Asthis plan would require
years for development, the Literary fund.
would no doubt increase in a ratio suffi-4
cient to meet hesdraft that might be re-.
quisite for its accomplishment: If all the
colleges should ultimately avail them
selves Of It's advantages, it would give TO
them increased facilities for instruction,
advance them to the highest point Of use
fulness, and enable them to contribute
more extensively and efficiently to the
mental exaltation, the wealth, power and
i glory of the commonwealth. Her literary
institutions, placed upon permanent. ba-
sis and Disseminated through her different
sections, would be fountains from which
would flow, in all directions, streams Of
Intelligence to enlighten aud bless the
masses and Virginia, now great in her
physical resources and political influence,
would then be pre-eminent in the means
of Intellectual developments. earnestly
recommend this sub ject to your favorable
consideration.
Nor while we are endeavoring to con-
tribute TO The improvement Of our uniVer-
sity and colleges, should we be forgetful
Of the academies and primary schools
l Agriculture, the mechanic arts, philoso.
phy. navigation, commerce, and all the
improved mutations in the condition and
morals Of mankind, have education as
4 their ground work. The mental improve
ment Of the masses affords the only Secu
rity for the protection Of persons and pro-
I perty, and intelligence and virtue ought
to be the only passport to famo and dis
tinction. BY enlightening the great body
Of the people. you inspire them with con-
fdence enable them properly to comprs-
hend and appreciate the great privileges
and immuniIies they enjoy establish
upon firm basis the magnificent super>
structure Of the government, and adopt
the wisest measures for transmitting pure
principles, unimpaired, to those who sue
ceed US on the great political theatre
To accomplish these great purposes, some
Improvement in our common school Bys-
TEN is absolutely necessary. II appears
to me to be radically defective, and NO
feature is probably more Objectionable
than that which places the education of
the poor among the charities of life. 1t
is humiliating in It's tendency aud discour-
> aging in its effects. Your attention TO
this important subject cannot fail to elicit
} improvement in the system.
1t has sometimes been objected, that
it is unjust 10 require the wealthy TO con.
, tribute to the education of the poor. To
our system this objection cannot be urged,
. because the capitation tax, which is the
only part Of the revenue devoted to the
: Literary fund. is derived alike from ell,
and the primary schools should be alike
9 for the heneft Of all. But even II the OBJ.