Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-12-06
For the Snectator.

For the Spectator.
I learn from the Spectator of Nov. 22nd
that Messrs Peyton 4 Co, at he White Sui
phur Springs paid last year 5000. and his
year 1914 school tag, they at the same time
not even being allowed to vote there The ar
tcle closes by se,ting that state of things in
contrast with the great principle for which our
ancestors fought. viz: That there s!ard be
no taxation without repre>entati u. But let
us look little nearer home How will 1t be
here7 According to our state Constitution,
each property holder must pay somewhere be-
tween ten cents and one dollar on each one
hundred dollars worth OF property he owns,
for the exclusive benefit of free schools 10
these schools. | learn, there is to be nothing
taught but the English branches, the teachers
not even being allowed to teach higher branch
es, if those who desire it should come and Of
fer him extra pay for doing so With this ar
rangement, the dear, sweet, little negroes #
The State, will in a manner all be provided for ;
but large number Of the heaviest tax payers
will have their chidren virtually excluded from
the schools For eXamnle | have four chill
dren from to Is years old, all studying La'in,
French &c, bu sill needing fur her las rue
tlon IN English branches. must necessarily
pay very heavy tax The school trustees
very politely tell me that ny children cannot
be allowed to study the higher branches 10 the
free schools. Then have the alternative be-
tween three things, neither OF which suits me
First, pay heavy school tax, and yer provide
tor the edncationiof my owa children. even in
she English branches. SecpDd, abandou, for
he present the education Of my children be-
you'd ordinary Engli>h, or Third. send my chill
dren part of each day to the free school. and
the other part of the day o classical school,
perhaps 20 miles distant.
TIE country is f oded with teachers we'll
qualified to teach almost anything desired
Why not employ them, and let them teach as
in days gone by, and receive, in n>tead of tuition
fees, salary from vhe school fund But, say
he trustees, If your children recite Latin les
sons there, the other children studying lower
branches may be neglected All yes well
thought Of pay the taxes, but put my chill
dren out of the school and drive them clear
away lest they be in the way of those whose
parents pay no taxes at all. save, perhaps,
capitation tax of only one dollar Do you see
any resemblance in that to the great princi pies
for which our fore hers fought, and bed and
died But the authorizes tell us they are go-
ing according to law From whence came such
law providing for the wants OF negroes better
han the wants of white people The cohven-
ton of negroes, scalaWags, and carpe'-bagg.r.,
with few honorable excsptionsl who framed
the constitution, we must call ours, provides In
hat instrument for rublic free schools Of diff
ierent grades. Perhaps our Legislature made
some law pravidng for all the negro children
while part of the whites are excluded if SO,
set a mark on Them as on Cain of old, so thar
no nan may >lay them, and let US it we must
have tree schools have them open to all classes
alike aud 10 more dlscrllulna lon iD favor OF
on-ta paying negroes.
OBSERVER.