The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-05
For fine Disuafcll,
The Pay OF County superintendent
Shall we OR SHALL We Not Have u Pub'
lie Free School System?

The Pay Oh county SuEGEAhtShNSAatS
Shall we or Shall We Not Have PIb"
lie Free School System?
The proposition recently brought forward
in fine General Assembly OF this State to cur
tail the salaries of the school officers is one
which merits the graycst consideration ID
yifsy of the results that must be wrought by
its defeat or passage. 1t is not long since thls
old Commonwealth escaped from the throes
of war. and as sic is preparing to meet all
the necessities of her new situation, shall she
be thwarted in single measure that will tend
70 promote the general welfare Of the state
Our Legislature has now been III session
SONIC ninety days, and no one can give sat
isCactory reply to the question as to what
they have accomplished. Yet in their closing
deliberations a proposition is brought for
ward to deny to an Impoverished people the
greatest benefit Though at present in an en-
blyonc state) that was conferred by their
predecessors. The effort to diminish the pay OF
county superintendents means nothing less
than atl eilort show not to doit." whether
such is the intention Or not, the result will be
the same. What gentleman of position, attain
meuts and influence, would continue to dis
charge the onerous duties of that office for
the pitiful sum that he now receives: AT
the small sum paid to teachers, few can be
had combining all the requisite qualifications,
and believe the work Of the trustees is gra-
tuitous. The results Of this really en-
pensiue policy must be patent to the
most unrchccting mind. The import
ance of sustaining perfect and credltable
system of public free schools all over
the State cannot be over estimated for a
number of reasons, chief of which perhaps
is the inducements it will offer to imnigrl-
ton. But at the very time when the most
sagaciorls minds are devising means to invite
a thrifty tide Of settlers to our State, pr0po-
sition is brought forward by somebody IN
the Senate to quash the whole proceeding
by utrtuaHy abolishing the public free school
system. Is it possible that we have arrived
at that stage in the history Of Virginia when
| intellect and education should be at dis
count? Is it possible that learning and cult
vation should command the smallest price OF
all the articles upon the public marketr A
lanentable picture indeed, but nevertheless
this is the plain statement Of the pro-
position. Sooner than not increase the
pay of county superintendent from the
present amount, the whole system OF public
| free schools had best he abolished entirely.
and the proceeds, which are now being ap-
!
tive effect to make education public benefit,
devoted to some other purpose. But we do
not believe the policy of diminishing the pay
of these officers is seriously contemplated
On the contrary, we believe that upon relec'
ton the members Of the General Assembly
will see the wisdom of at once raising their
salaries to n sum fully commensurate with
the onerous and responsible duties they have
to perform. 1t is only by adopting this plan
that they can insure success to the effor!
which has been so recently inaug1lratec
among lis, and make the public schools o.
Virginia shining monuments to her glory anc
honor and powerful levers i'll the promotion
of moral and material good. For other argu
mcnts in favor OF this important measure We
call the attention of members to the able anl
interesting letter of Professor Holland
Astounding in facts and statistics bearing
upon the subject (recently laid upon theil
desks. A NIRGINIAN.