The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-19

Fairmont, to be more prosperous now
than at any previous time.
The number Of pupils in attendance
at the former has increased from u at
the frst session to 90 at the last; and
che attendance will no doubt be much
larger when the new building, now in
process of construction, shall have been
finished. This building will cost, ac-
cording to contract, 81, 900; an appro-
priation of $5056 81 is asked to finish
it, and also appropriations to furnish
the apartments and to pay the salaries
of teachers.
The Branch of the State Normal
School at Fairmont held it's first session
during the past year; the number in
attendance, including those in the
model department, was about one hun-
dred:
The schools ut Marshall College and
Fairmont, as well as others in the state,
have received donations from the Pea
body Fund" The great benefactor
whose recent death is 30 universally
deplored and whose memory is cherished
in all lands, did not, in dispensing his
gifts. forget the educational wants of
West Virginia. The Regents recon-
mead that the "West Liberty Academy"
be placed upon the same footing with
the other Normal Schools.
No argument is needed to show the
Importance of our Normal Schools
Their great purpose is to educate teach
ers for eur State; and if properly appre-
ciated and encouraged the time must
soon come when the instruction of the
young will not, as it is in too many cases
at present, be instructed to those who
resort to teaching as temporary ex-
pedient to enable them to prepare for
the duties Of some other vocation more
congenial to their tastes; but our free
schools will be presided over by trained
their choice, and who are anxious to
excel in the performance of their
duties.
FREE SCHOOLS.
commend to your special care the in
terests of cur free schools. They are
founded upon the recognized principle
that tho State is under obligation to
provide an education for all its children;
and that these shall all partake eqsally
of its advantages. To this end it is in
dispenssble that our common schools
shall be kept free from everything of
political or sectarian charac ter;a and that
the school room be place in which to
instruct all the youth of the Common
wealth without offending the conscien'
tious scruples of any.
No people can successfully work out
the great problem of popular govern
ment without o thorough system of gen
eral elementary instruction. This fact
is we'll understood among our people; fol
in but few States have free schools made
more rapid progress than in ours; and
in none are they more cherished by al
classes.
The report of the General Superin-
tendent, which will be laid before you
exhibits in detail the operations of the
schools during the past year. From hi'
report it will be seen that the amount
expended within that time for building
purposes, was 1894, 1895, being S2O,6Ot
more than was expended for the same
purposes during the previous year.
The total amount OK pondsd for carry
ing on the schools, was S295, $50 an in
crease over the expenditures of the pre-
vious year of Slo,4S5.
The number of schools taught within
the year was 2l6i; being an iucreas
over the previous year OF 395.
The whole number of school house!
built within the State up to the close o
the school year was l70S; the numbe
erected during the year just past beint
800,
The value of school property within
the State at the present time Is $3.50,
1l6; increase in the value of propert.
over the previous year S235,770.
The number of teachers employed
during the year was 22S3, being AZ;
more than in the year preceding.
The remuneration of youth in the State
between the ages of six and twenty-one
is shown to be l54 1854; an increase owe
enumeration of the previous year, o
2243.
The number of children attending
school was 7S, 342; exceeding the mum
Der in the previous year by 24,6l5.
The permanent or irreducible schoo
fund, amounts at the present time Il
1921 200, the increase of the fund tH'
past year was 81 400.
As some of the county superintendent
failed to make their reports, as required
by law, the General Superintendent haC
to make estimates for the uHreporteC
counties in order to complete his tables
The report shows large increase in th
number of children attending school
being 24,6l9 over the previous year;stil
it will be observed that but little owe
half the children enumerated have beeI
in attendance. Upon the whole, how
ever, the schools are shown to be in
more prosperous condition than at an.
time since the State was organized.
ask your particular attention to th
many valuable suggestions made in TIL
report by the General Superintendent
looking to more thorough and uni
form working of our Free School sys
ten.
CoLoRED SCHOOLS.
The reports from the counties wher
there are colored schools, uniforml.
speak of them as being successful, an,
show that the pupils learn fast and keel
good order. In q few counties the color
ed children do not get the advantages o
that portion of the school fund intend
ed for their instruction, in some case
because of ssnseless prejudics agains
educating this class of youth. This i
an evil which ought to be remedied; /
is alike unjust to the colored children
and the colored tax payers; and NOR
than this, it is bad economy and wors
morality to permit an ignorant class t
grow up in our midst.
LEGISLATION.
Our State being comparatively new
its system of County and Township OF
ganizstion unfamiliar; its free school
but recently established; and man,
other features of our State and loca
government different from those +
which We had been accustomed, man.
changes in the laws first enacted bscam
both proper and necessary. But it i
time our general laws, at least. shoult
begin to have stability. Constan
changes in legislation is fraught wit
mischief. If o statute be not positive
IL injurious it should be let alone unit
it shall have fair trial, for it is Of a
much Importance that law be gener
ally understood, as that it be perfect il
all its details. Laws should be altere'