Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-09-26
OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC II
sTkudf1oN.
RIcnMoND, Va. Sept. 1, 1872.

RICHMOND, Va. Sept. 1, 1872.
QuALIrY VS.. NUMBER OF Schools .-The
low rate at which the Legislature fixed
the local taxes has put it out of the pow
er OF school officers TO supply The people
fully with schools from the public funds.
Embarrassing as it may be, trustees should
adhere rlgidly to the principle Of prefer
ring qualityto number 1t is certainly
UNJUST to make partial provision for pub
iic educat ton, but the injustice does not
lie at the door OF school officers; and when
the people, compla n Il e'r complaints should
bedlrected against those who make the
laws, not against those who execute them
wisely.
But the real makers of laws are not
the members of the Legislature, so much
as the people themselves. Legis ators
are always ready to go, in a matter of
this kind, just rs far as they feel safe in
going. They know very well that whilst
the masses Of the people are ready for all
ueedful expenditures the most influential
Taxpayers are constantly resisting any
increase Of taxation for any purpose, and
that many of them would wipe out the
school system, if they could. Under
these circumstances we cannot be sur.
prlsed that even those members of the
Legislature who are heartily with us
should be cautious in fixing the rate of
school taxes. ~. :,
Our only hope of obtaining that we
need lies III the creation of a public SEN
tlment which cannot be resisted; and this
can be done only in one way, AMI that is,
by exhibiting superior quality of edu-
cation. Whilst the majority OF the peo-
pie may rot be good judges in this mat
ter, the leaders Of public sentiments are
very capable of judging between good
schools and poor oues and unless shis
class of society can be induced to lay hold
Of the cause of popular educa-
lion with zest. the school system will on
ly drag out a.alniseraole existence. 100
strong to be abolished, yet too much des-
pissed to be literally sustained.
If the school, are good they will be
highly valued by those who have them,
and be earnestly desired by those who
are denied them. Thus all parties will
be made friendly to the system, and will
unite in demanding such appropriations
as will extend the blessing to every neigh
borhood
PETITIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE. --The
people in a number of counties in the
State feel much aggrieved at being de-
MED the privilege of adding to the State
funds whatever sums might be needed
for supplying themselves fully with well
appointed schools. No doubt such coun-
ties would be allowed larger liberty than
they now possess by applying to be made
exceptions to the general law. All that
is necessary is to provide the evidence
that such is the desire Of the people.
There is very little doubs that By prop
or exertion similar expression of seutl-
men; could be obtained in large major
ity of the counties of the State. And
should that be done, the Legislature
would undoubtedly raise the maximum in
the general lava consummation de-
voutly to be wished. 1t is idle to To
finding fault with individual members Of
the Legislature, unless it can be shown.
that they have failed to represent their
people faithfully in which case they may,
of course, be properly complained Of
But the surest. plan, as before intimated,
is to develop an active sentiment in favor
of larger liberty Of taxation in counties
and districts; and also in favor of increas-
ing the State appropriation at the earls-
est possible day, Petitions addressed to
the Legislature by county school boards,
would, no doubt be treated with respect.
Such petitions should always be sent
through the local representatives.
4 x 4 4 X x
CoEDUoATloN OF THE SExEs-Preju-
dices Oh the subject may he overcome
gradually. The first step is to arrange
the school premesis so that there will be
an absolute separation of the sexes dur
ing play-time, and entire privacy for
each, especially for girls. Until this is
done, the prejudice will continue to ex-
list, and ought to exist. Just here is the
first point to be made sure, and placed
above criticism. When that is done, th e
rest is easy. 1t will then only be neces-
sary for the school officers to announce
that in the lowest grade, boys and girls
will be taught together at the girls
school. If there be proper arrangement.
for even one year under this management.
proper management as to ingress, seating,
egress outdoor separation, and supervis
ioh--these male pupils may, in the most
cases, be advanced to the second grade
along with the girls, and new set of
boys introduced into the lowest grade.
When this much is achieved, the victo-
~ is won.
4 4 X
MECHANICS LENS .-The Board Of Ed
ucation was lately requested to decide
whether a mechanics lien would be bind
ing upon a school house which had been
erected on lot donated exclusively for
public school purposes with the condition
that it should revert to the donor If at
any time it. shouldecease to be used for
that purpose. The Board concurred with
the Attorney Genern in the opinion that
mechanics lien would be valid even
under these circumstances.