The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-05-01

tees Of the Public Free Schools, for the city
of Staunton. consisting of Maj. Fl. NJ. Bell,
John B. Scherer. sr.. W. j. Nelson, j. NJ /.
Blackley, P. B. Hoge, and NJ. p. Funkhous-
er, have rendered the appointment, for one
year, of Superintendent Of City Free Schools
to Mr.. John j Ladd Of Providence, Rhode Is
land Mr.. Laid, we understand has had a
large experience in the management of Graded
and High Schools. oEe aed under the Free
School system, is thoroughly acquainted with
all the mputias of its workings, and emf
neptly qualified for the position to which he
has been invited. DIR Sears, the general
agent for the Peabody Fund, who feels a
deep interest in the success of the Free
Schools of Virginia, and especially of Stauu-
ton, where he resides. gives Mr. Ladd his
unqualified endorsement. having known him
for many years in his capacity as instructor
10 the Latin Department. Of the Providence
Classical School.
The appointment Of Mr.. Ladd Is not de-.
signed to interfere with the duties of the
present teachers in the Free Schools: It was
regarded expsdient, by the trustees. in maxi
ing the selection, in view Of the enlarged ed
ucatonal advantages proposed in the city j,
and for which arrangements are now being
consummated,t to secure the services of a gen.
tleman whose experience acquainted him thor
oughtY with the system, in order to perfect
the organization in its incipieucy, and to
place it in condition to move, forward
smoothly and harmoniously. TIE scholarly
atsainmeuts of Capt. '4ackey, the present
principal and his efficiency as an instructor,
and those of his assistants were not brought
in question. In ehese the Trustees have the
utmost confidence. But it was thought that
the system could be more effectively and sue
cessfully put in operation under the general
superintendent Of gentleman who has de-
voted many years to the study and has ac-
quired by experimental test full knowl-
edge of the Free School System f is no
reflection upon Capt. Iackey and his assis-
tants that they are act as thoroughly versed
in Che operations of this system, iuasmuch as
they have been educated under az entirely
different system. as gentleman who has had
all the advantages Of early training aad la
ter practical experience as instructor 10 it.
The Board of Trustees must necessarily feel
the responsibility of thu ir position, and they
could not possibly have any other object ia
view, thau to inaugurate the City Free
Schools with the enlarged facilities they will
soon pdssess, under the most favorable aus
pieces Dr.: Sears himself feels a commendab.e
pride in the complete success of the system
in Staunton-the place of his residence
and has been governed in tba recommends
tion he made, from personal knowledge Of the
eminent fitness OF the gentleman endorsed,
hg an earnest wish to make the Public Free
Schools 81 Staunton second to lone in the
State 1t Is 10 his power to materially aid
them in this.and he has manifested wiling
ness to do so. ifa reciprocal sentiment is
shown by our people.
We understand that petition has been
circulated, and a number of signers obtained
to 1t, which will be presented to the Board
of Trustees, asking them to reconsider their
action in electing Mr.. Ladd to the position
indicated. Some of these gentlemen placed
their names on the paper without thinking
about it. and after reflection have determn-
Ell to erase them. !Fheq we first heard that
Northern gentleman would likely be APP
pointed, and not lesrning precisely the char
acter Of the duties, we thoaght f5r mo-
ment that it might do harm to the Free
School system, by reason of the sectional
prejudles hat crops out on al. occasions
against northern men. After learning the
facts, and giving them some reflection; we
are convihced that the Board has acted wise
iy and that when the litsic spasm of feeling
has had time to sGbsidc, the general senti-
ment Of the community viii commend their
determination ard independence 1t is no,
al-raaa!lIa tn rtai ulioa ~ ~,
but as it exists, and will not endure the ties,
OF reason, we know of no gentlemen better
prepared to stand before il than those who
constitute the Board Of Trustees of the Pub.
lie Free Schools of Staupton. We are very
we'll satisfied that the petition which has
been circulated will no. cause them to re
verse their action, however much they may
personally respect the majority O. the sigoers
Coon TEMpLAgs.-On Tuesday night
G W G. T., G W. Miller, accompanied BY
number of the members Of West Augusta
Lodge 26, Good TeEplars, organized Crysta
Fountain Lodge, in Middiebrook, No. SO
There were twenty two initiated
BY special invitation. Mr. s N. Miller, o.
this city, delivered in the church at Middle
brook an address on the subject Of Temper
ance The services were opened by singing
beautiful hymn by Rev. NJ Hicks and la
dy, and feryent and eloquent prayer by
Mr. Hicks After the speech the names q
fourteen ladies and three gentlemen were
handed in as candidates for admission to the
order OF Good Tempars.
The May number Of .'NaTIoNAL jNDAY scKooi
TEACHER il on our table. 1t is full of gooc
reading matter and help for the Sunday Schoo
worker besides full and able expeditions of tht
lessons by r. Gregory, and the excellent Black
board EXERCISES. There are, among the mscel
laneous articles. the foil wing: ''The Meteorol
Ogy Of the Sunday School" by Rev. WI. A
Bartlett: Pres Chadbourne continues his valua
bic series of papers on the creation in ''The
Two Racords lao Ea1joor firm; oh 90 ~, nv