The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-01-22

found among the old statutes, which
are regarded as much more voluminous
than necessary, and may, probably, be
simplified and better adapted to the
regulation of our Asylum by being re-
vised and condensed. Another recon-
mendation is that the construction of
! the central section of the HOspitai
| building, according to tbs original de-
sign, and fer which the foundation was
laid prior to 1861, shall be renewed and
prosecuted to completion, at q cost of
eighty thousand dollars, and that an ap-
preparation be made for that pur-
pose. By looking into the report the
members of the Legislature may see the
reasons assigned for this recommends
tion-the wisdom and force of which
none can question. While do not feel
at liberty, under all the circumstances,
to urge this matter upon you, submit
it for such action as your better judg-
ments may dictate.
1t may also be seen that the Board Of
Directors invite q thorough and search
ing investigation in regard to the con
struction of the building and the inter-
nal management of the Hospital, and
also into the expenditures of each; and,
while know the board TO be composed
of gentlemen of superior intelligence
and of the highest integrity, yet, in
order that there may no longer be any
pretext or excuse for such statements
as are being made in regard to the con-
struction and management of the lnstl-
tuition, it seems to Inc well that the re-
quest of the Board of Directors be grant
ed, the investigation had, and a report
| thereof made to the Legislature, and
published for the information of the
public.
FREE SCHOOLS.
The Annual Report of the General
Superintendent of Free Schools shows
that continued and very encouraging
progress is being made in extending
and establishing the free school system
in our State. His visits to different
portions of the State have afforded him
an opportunity of acquiring a general
knowledge of what has been done in
this interesting work, but on account Of
the failure of the more subordinate Of
| ficers, in some instances, and from a
lack of proper appreciation of the sub
ject on the part of some county super
intendents, and inattention to the re-
quirement of the law by others, statis-
| tical reports have been received from
only twenty-nine counties. 1t appears
that in these COMMITTEES there have been
three hundred and sixty.three school
houses built during the year, and the
General Superintendent estimates the
whole number in the State within the
same time at not less than four hun
| dred and that the number built within
| the three years since the system was IN
auGurated approximates ono thousand;
and, while many of these are very ordi-
nary structures, many display the good
taste and liberality of the neighbor-
hoods where they are located, and still
others are superior in architecture and
are supplied with the most modern and
convenient style of school furniture. In
addition to the local taxes, there was
distributed among the counties, on
the lst of April, 1867, the sum of Sl75,-
| 900 from the State school fund, and the
sum to be distributed on the lst of April,
| 1863, is estimated at not less than $780,
| 600; thus showing continued Increase,
which, though not large, may be relied
on, no doubt for the future, without
any increase in taxation.
The Governor declares that these re-
suits have been attained III the midst of
! financial embarrassment and in spite of
preiudices, but that tho prejudiccs in
question are fast dying cut. The high
taxes connected with the system he
contends, are merely temporary, being
levied chiefly for building purposes.
They are imposed by tho people them
selves and if they arc dissatisfied they
can elect officers who will levy less
money. Nevertheless he has "tOO much
confidence in the good judgment Of the
people to believe that they will not
support "this great and beuefcent en-
terprisc." The recommendation Of the
State superintendent that the school
officers should be required to report
''certainly and promptly is approved.
A change in the mode Of distributing
the State school fund, is also suggested.
Under existing law, this fund is dis
tributcd among the townships accord
ing TO the number Of scholars reported.
In many parts of the State there arc
townships ia which there are but few
scholars, scattered over large extent
of territory, and these cannot be brought
together in large schools, as can be
done in the more deDsely populated
townships, and in the cities and towns.
Consequently, more schools and more
teachers are required in proportion 10
the number of scholars in tn" former
than in the latter, the funds are sooner
exhausted, and the schools are kept for
a much shorter time. 1t is now sug-
pcstcd that the extent of territory aud
the number of children both, be taken
into consideration in the distribution
of the fund among the townships, and
il seems to me that the suggestion is q
good one, and that the law shoSld be
amended accordingly.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The Regents of the State Normal
School have been appointed as required
by law; Marshall College" at Guyan-
dotte, "a very commodious and comfort
able building" has been purchased for
"the contemplated School," and the
West Liberty Academy, in Ohio County
has been bought with a view to the es-
tablishment of branch of the State
institution. The Academy needs re-
pairs, and both concerns want money
and teachers. The West Virginia Nor
NAL School" at Fairmont is said to have
made considerable progress, and all
these establishments are commended to
the favorable consideration Of the Leg
| islature.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Board OF Visitors for the West
Virginia Agricultural College" consist
ing of eleven suitable persons, one
I from each Senatorial District, has been