Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-12
GREENsBoEorGU, \. c., /
Nny- 14th 1SI1. {
Sap. Gene. Schools.

DEAR STR:-l have Just received your favor OF the
Sth inst. mailed the 18Th, (ycStcraayD Some OF
the points arising from the late acts in regard to Com
mon Schools to which You call my attention, have
caused difficulties in other Counties besides Ma
nance Ny opinion, which you desire, Will pro-
coed give you at once plainly and briefly as
E1rst-As to the mode of dividing the School fund
among the Districts. | suppose that the object OF
the Legislature was to have the Counties laid oil
into Districts of uniform size, and large enough
for School only. As you aware, very large
and very small Districts are nuisance; and YOU
also are fully of the difficulties in the way
when there to be several Schools in one District.
Such Districts give rise 10 endless troubles and dis
putes and in some Counties all the Districts
large enough for sever9l Schools while the division
is very unequal and imperfect in others. Besides
all this, as you also know, there have been difficult
ties heretofore in the mode CT dividing the School
fund, and the former law was seldom complied with.
Now, suppose that the Assembly were aware Of
these things ard wishing to have uniform and sat
isfactoTy method of dividing the fund everywhere
established and wishing also to have all the Districts
convenient in size, not too large too small for
School, and thus to put end to continual change
and to avoid the confusion incident TO these changes
enacted the law requiring the fund to be divided
equally among the Districts. 1t presumed, OF
course, that the Districts would be made equal
possible perfect equality in SIZE none would expect
hope for, while 1t was believed that the Districts
in all parts OF the State could be made of size
convenient for School. If these ends could be
attained they would, you we'll know, produce al
immense change for the better.
The idea OF pernanency being attached to the
Districts from their just arrangement and division,
end would be put to those perpetual agitatioEs
for change and division so injurious in many Sec
tions. The Schoolhouse would be located as
the centre possible, and this location being
sidergd fixed, there would be more disposition
improve the site and to build good house. These
very important oi.ects, and it may be laid down
general rule that so long the School, in any
District is not considered fixed to any certain
has aHa Sf in hat
District. Believing the objects Of the Assembly to
have been such as have indicated they found
ed in just and wise views but whether these objects
can now be accomplished, or Immediately 0croHa-
pished at any time is another question. Perhaps
it would be ilnpracticable to have the whole State
redistrcted at once and certainly not to
be favorable time, the public mind being wholly
prepared for such 4 great change. Besides the OBJ
Ject OF the Legislature in this is only imptico, and
1t is to be regretted that this intention more
fully expressed, in which case more full Justice
would have been done to the motives of those who
enacted the laws, while it $50 would nave been bet
ter understood. But yuu know the amount Of labor
imposed on the last Assembly. In Justice to what
L believe to have been its important designs in the
act in question, and the very beneficial effects of the
policy fully and efectualiy carried out, have made
this rather long explanation and think it desirable
that these things should be fully understood and the
whole subject be thoroughly canvassed by all the
friends of the Common Schools in this State.
With this view it has been my int Ition as soon
as my engagements would permit, to make public
communication through the Governor to the people
OF the State suggested, in my reports to the As
semby the proprety of some alterations in the law
in regard to the divisions of the school fund among
the districts stating the diversity of practice now
existing; but in view of the difficulty of having at
present satisfactory and uniform rule, | also sug- |
gested that it may be best to Leure this (the mole
of dlcisi0n) to the discretion Of the County BoarHs
under the Gdcice Of the Superintendent de-, Be-
Possibly if the subject left to the voluntary
action of the Boards under the advice of the Su- !
perntendent, we might by putting together the ex-
perlence OF different sections and different officers
and by patiently hearing and discussing the views of
Ill parties finally arrive at uniform simple, and
udicious plan based the idea of equal Districts
u small sze convenient for one school, &C., &c
BUT the great question now is, what we to do
lnder the present law? 1t acW certainly cause Sc
'ious injury to undertake to erecute the lao in part
othtout FIRST doing a0h@t the laao intended shoulA
'e done, that as, anithout making the Districts as
nearly equal as possible aohere there is no DISPOSE
1 70 make a" attempt Of this Kind and aohere
Dts!rtcts are 0ery unequal Boards Of County ST.
1erente"Gets ao1T haze to continue that method of
Gaotsaon aohtch formerly GAGE mast satistactionE
MS advice Is given, not because it is believed that
0ounty ouperntendents more than any other exec
itiVe oihcers OIL the law can undertake to say what
avs shai anu what ones shall not be enforced nor
ian any one, except the law-making power to Wit
The Legislature, undertake to set aside onv low, ~
'ause ne may deem it unwse, improper or iniu-
lous IN any way cannot and would not have any
ptwel' nor can your Board of County Superin-
$3.50 - J t : wren law seems under the circum-
stances, " oe inpracticable and when we and all
Interested are SO agreed, ace can f1iE tn cres,t -
WITH the tuli consciousness that this failure will he
overlooked oy all until proper alterations can he
ties on this very subject. 'Ay eouii-
am glad that you have, as Won inform, ~ -
Piled to JUDGE RUFFIN for his opinion On +E e' APP
ter and as he has advised You to continue your for