The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-16
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

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PRAYER by the Rev. H. w. Biggs, Of Nor,
gantown.
Gen. Siegel appearing in the vcstibule OF
the House, committee was appointed to
wait upon him and bring HIM into the House.
The committee returned with the General
and introduced him to the Speaker, who in
turn introduced him to the House. The
General then made short address to the
members, and bidding them a kind farewell,
left the room.
The special order of the day, being House
Bill No. 81, providing for the establishment
of system of free schools, was taken up.
Mr.. Ruffner moved to amend tie second
section by leaving the question of the cleo.
ton of school commissioners discretionary
with the board Of Supervisors in each town
ship. He did not think his county would
favor the movement as it would incur too
much expense.
Mr. Ross had expected this objection
would be made; admit that the State was
Door. what were we to look to for wealth
and prosperity, if not from the free schools;
educate the population. and wealth and
prosperity must ensue. The only question
was when should we begin; let us begin the
system Immediately, and it will work its
own way out to perfection: at the present
time there were no less than ten thousand
children in the State who had no means of
obtaining an education; lct us adopt the
system of common schools. and do them an
act of kindness which will never be forgot
ten.
Mr. Ruffner contended that if the bill was
passed the Law would be dead letter; the
Constitution provided fer the raising Of o
school fund; this bill provides for a school
tax: every county would not carry out the
law and il would thereby be brought into
contempt: let each county that desired
common schools have them, and those OPP
posed to them and could not sustain the
system now, could wait.
Mr.. Wheat said the passage Of this bill
was not optional with this House, the Con-
stitution and justice to our people demand
ed il; the assertion that We could not sus-
tain the schools was fallacy: let US pass
the bill and trust to Providence give the
rising generation an education, il was much
better to build schools than jails.
Mr.. Davidson favored the Immediate
establishment of system of free schools;
our people have long anticipated such a
movement; wben the State was organized
that was one of the main IDEAS advanced
by the people, and were we now to disap
point them.
Mr.. Lamb contended that the adoption
of the proposed amendment would not de-
feat the bill; the system of free schools
could not be inaugurated in all the counties
at the present time; it was certain they |
could not in the border counties, some of
which were now in the hands of the enemy;
by the adoption of this amendment the
question was left with the board of super
visors, and they could determine when to
inaugurate the system.
Mr.. M'Whortef hoped the amendment
would be rejected; he did not want the
system left optional with the supervisors,
as it might never be inaugursted; we could
enforce this law as well as any other, and
be therefore hoped the bill would be passed.
Mr.. Dawson said his constituents had
been anxiously awaiting the passage of this
bill; some persons said the people could
not bear the taxation necessary to carry on
rec schools; By this plan children could .
be educated for third the cost they ]
could under any other.
Mr.. Barnes hoped we would organize a
complete school system, and be able to put