The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-01

county. After very full debate, the
section prohibiting the further creation
of these independent districts was
adopted. It was thought that it might
be safely left to the discretion Of the
Legislature to provide tor the regulation
or Adjustment of those already created:
An effort was made to make a special
exception Of the school district Of
Wheeling and deprive the Legislature
OF any power to repeal the act providing
for its creation. This was refused by
the Convention, but I do not apprshend
that the independent school district OF
Wheeling is in any immediate danger
of suffering harm; certainly it is in no
greater peril than it has grown and
thrived under during the past twenty
years. >,
A desperate onslaught was then made
upon the Normal School system. Three
so-cailed Normal Schools have been
authorized by law and put into practi!,,
cal operation one called Marshall
College, at Huntington, another at Fair
mont and another at West Liberty, in
Ohio county. Appropriations have
been made from the public treasury to
these schools amounting in all TO S9O,'
$50 50. Their results have not been
commensurate with their cost. Com
paratively few OF the teachers in the
State have awaited themselves Of the
ADVANTAGES offered by these institutions,
and they are in reality mere High
Schools supported BY State expense,
and benefiting mainly the people. OF
the locality. the town or village IN
which the school is maintained.
The result OF the establishment OF
three of these schools has been to ere.
ate q demand for more. Each county
in the State wants an institution OF tnat
kind and wants an appropriation from
the public treasury for its support. At
the recent session Of the Legislature
two or three additional Normal Schools,
candidates for State aid, were chartered;
and it Il manifest that some limit must
lie fixed some check imposed; or
every school district will be clamoslns
in the .islatureto have a high school
supported by general taxation. The
evils that may flow in through this
open door were fully discussed IN the
Convention, ard although they were
recognized by all, there was also al
opinion among the members that the
Legislature should be left free to
remedy the mischie' which is own
action had caused. :
Mr.. Cushing moved to add Il section
to the report prohibiting any appropr'a'
ton O money to Normal Schools not
heretofore established. Mr.. Campbell
wanted all State aid withdrawn from
those already in operation. Mr.. Basel
wanted to permit appropriations to
Marshall College and to the Fairnont
schools, but 10 10 others. Numerous
amendments were proposed and subSt-
tu,es offered until the original propose
ton was 50 completely overwhelmed
and such parliamentary tangIe ensued
that it would have puzzled a PhIladel-
phia lawyer to unravel i, and say what
was the precise question under discus,
sion The debate waxed warm and
lively and good deal OF feeling was
by several of the speakers
N relation to the subject. Before reach
ing vote, the hour Of adjournment
arrived and the members dispersed to
think and dream over the matter and
come with clearer eads and less mental
aud bodily fatigue to its determination
in the morLiHg. l.