Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-07-19
EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA. the session
of the Virginia Educational Society. recently

of the Virginia Educational Society, recently
held there was brief but affective address from
Rev. W. II. Ruffaer, Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction. Mr.. Rutfner's remarks were
designed to explain the functions of the office
of County Superintendent, and to enlist the CO.
operation OF the several members Of the Asso-
citation toward making suitable selections there.
for in each county of the State. lie commenc-
ed by calling attention to the fact that 10
fortnight the first regular business meeting OF
the State Board of Education 1.-THE Governor,
the Attorney. General and the superintendent
would take place. and that their first work
would be the appointment OF County Superin-
tendents.
The duties of this office in school systems
elsewhere were formerly discharged without
pay, but this was not found to work we'll, and
the present plan was adopted. 1t IS most
important Office The County Superintendent
first must have some architectural turn, must
understand something Of school accommoda-
,ions and arrangements, because, though not
perhaps required to plan school houses, none
can be erected without his consent aud drec-
ton. He is also financial officer. Millions OF
money must pass through his hands or under
his direction.
He must audit all accounts and superintend
al disbursements He is further q judicial
officer sort of appellate court to which all
dsagreements OF subordlnates arc referred.
70 teach them properly sound judgment, in-
tegrity and weight of character are indispensa
bic. The County Superintendent has, further,
peculiar relations to the people. He must ex.
plain the school laws illustrate the system 10
public and private, and conciliatc and inform
all. He is, ia brief, a sort of public teauner.
Another most important duty resting upon
him is the examination OF persons who apply
to be made teachers for whose fitness thus he
becomes responsible. He must TOO, supern-
tend lhem and their schools by actual visits.
He must see that the schools arc properly
constituted, that they are properly conducte {;
he must admonish the teacher and encourage
the children Tor which and like functions
much tact is required. lie must in every way
see to the improvement of the teachers, es
pecially by the Inauguration and conduct of
Teachers Institutes, bodies which are on an
humber scale, Educational Associations like
our own.
10 conclusion Mr. Ruffner said that it was
now scarcely pertinent to discuss the general
system and that he did not appear to argue in
favor OF tree schools.
We we're to have them whether everybody
liked them or not The fat of the people Of
the State on the 9th of July 1862 could not be
reversed, and it only remained for US to work
the system to the best advantage. Before
frost 1900 school officers will be in commission
before Christmas thousands Of children at
shool: the issue is upon US and he earnestly
begged general 60 operation OF members OF the
Association, as we'll as their special aid toward
the selection in the several quarters of the State
of suitable County Superintendents.
Mr. Ruffner was listened to with profound
interest not only by the Association, but by a
large audience besides He was followed in
some Eriet but most effective remarks from
Prof. Mioor, Of the University, ian old and
devoted lree-school advocate) warmly secondiDg
and enforcing upon the Association the duty
and privilege of vigorous exertions 10 behalf of
our system of public Instruction.
SIMEON SYKEs-BY SUSIE SUMNER. Simeon
Sykes, silver seller, salIying solitary southward,
steadily seeking satisfactory sales, sauntered
sobcrly, swinging satchel, Systematically show
ing solid silver spoons, sugar sh0vels, small
sized salvers, superior spectacles, sharp scis-
soIs, snuffers, sewing shields. Somber skies
sent soft showers, soaking Simeon's satche,
shoes, stockings, shirt, skin. Suddenly some
thing seemed saying softly Sweet Sally
Slater Simeon soon shall see." So Simeon
straightway strode stupcndous strides, seeking
Sally Slater's snug shelter; soon saw sundry
stately sycamores, standing sentinel, shading
said spinster's secluded SHELTER spied Sally
sitting solers sewing stockinct, slyly snufing
sweet scented Scotch snuff. Sudden surprise
seized SalIy's sedate soul. Seeing Simeon 8
swift strides. Sally S sanctity somehow skedad.
died shametully She somewhat sensitive,
shrank suspciousy, started suddenly spilled
some snuff, soi!ed stockinet, suffered, STAN
mered, said Seat, sir?" Simeon shiver-
ed, shook, said :-'Smart shower" Sally said :
'SiehtIy So" Simeons shins seemed sore !;
so Sally sought some soothing salve; supplied
some soft so!ed slippers. Square .shouldercd,
slab-sidcd, spindle shanked Simeon seemed sen
timentalIy satisfied. Soon Sally said Sold
some silver since Sunday, Simeon?" Simeon
scowlcd savagely. Sally suggested supper. "Sar-
tain, Sally, "saidSimeon, something sufficiently
strepgt henng some strong stimulant!' y So Sal!
ly sent slroin steak ,saussges, some soothing san
garec. Simeon's stomach soon semed satisfied
SO Simeon smoked several segars; sat stupid:
ly soon slept; snored sonorously. Sally
sitting, solcmnly stitching stnckinet shirts, sud-
denly sneezed. Simeon started, starred, seem
ed scared; susplclou>ly surveying surrounding
space. Shutters, shades seemed secure. Sally,
stopping sewing, said softly: Somebody slyly
sneekiug, seeking Simcon's silver?" Simeon,
slightly susceptible, seemed suddenly smitten 4;
sought Say's side; sacriIigeous'y surrounded d
sanctlmonlous Sally Skaters slight symmetry !
She seeming somewhat suspiciaos, said: "sick
ish soft - Simeon, staring significantly, said :
Sweetest, surely solitary souls should symps'
th'ze.. Salley slapped Simeon. Sim seemed
surprised. She seemed sorry; showed some
softeInng symptoms; supinely sought Sim $
sturdy shoulder. So Sim smacked Sally So
stralghtWay surrounding she smacked Sim.
Simeon said Set some suitable season." Sal
lie said: 'Septemher?' Sim, Struggling Sim s
shoulders said: sooner!' Scripture surely
sanctions such strong sympathy 'Say Sun
day. So she succumbed Several superpal
seasons slipped softly, sweetly, somewhere.-
Several small scions sprung successfully; shed.
ding sunshine shouting singing, seldom sick;
SqualIing sometimes; still sweetenipg Sally 3
solitude. So succeeding summers serene'y
sped. Simeon still sells silver, supplying sub.
stantial subsistence
So shall such steady sWains secure