Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-11
Public Schools Reply to "a Farmer.
ISDec,0fOr

|
A writer 10 late Spectator,
calling himself "a Farmer" has taken a re-
porter extract Of an abstract OF my last annu-
al report and selecting therefrom a few items,
ana assuming others, has undertaken to dis
prove my assertion that pubic schools cost very
little over half. as much as private ores, and,
then suppOslng the assertion to be correct, at.
tempts to show that more than 0ne-half the
amount raised for public education is consumed
IL keeping the system in proper working order,
and hnaliy, having wrought himself into fren-
~, launches forth into TRADE against the right
OF the State to educate ats children.
My report itself is always open to the inspec-
tlon OF any one VINO cares to examine 1t, as well
to the supporter Of popular education, as to
hIm VINO would like to have the facts conform
to his prec0noslved opinions on the subject. -
4 simple statement OF facts drawn from that
repoT5 will fully establish the truth Of what vas
affirmed il my abstract. The average pay OF
teachers, per month, was $50 81; the average
humber OF pupils enrolled to each teacher was
SO. Dividing the former by the latter gives 90
cents as the cost Of tuition per month, per pu-
PHI enrolled, not per pupil in average attendance
as Farmer supposas. AS stated in my abstract
-" Ihe average pay per pupil enrolled was for
merry not less than $l.75. Or nearly double the
amount Walch IL costs now," and further: al
have made the calculation from the number
eaT0Ned, because It was always the custom for
a patron to paEfor all be subscribed OF enroll
ed'
The average number OF months taught in
town and county. was sos. The whole num-
Der OF pupils enrolled was 5046. Multiplying
these two numbers together and the product by
90, gives $23 665. "A as the whole amount paid
for tuition, instead Of sl4 ,675 40, according to
Farmer s calculation.
k.rt | ou1 roUi hot -ho1o n,,,o,,os
expended for public education was $29, 963 26,
ana Farmer NO doubt 6etieves and would make
others believe that the difference, So, 297. so
goes into the pockets OF trustees, treasurer, anu
county superintendent, but, unfortunately, the
trustees, as such, however thirsty, absorb none
of this silver stream. 1924 Is Of it went tC
pay the clerks Tor taking the census and othel
othclal duues 500 90 to the treasurer, anC
1904 16 to the county superintendent. Tht
balance, $5, 1919. SO, was used iu building, re
pairing, and furnishing school houses, and sup
plying books to INDECENT children.
But am told these items ought to be added
III, In estimating the cost OF tuition per pupil
Before making the division, however, $122l .
Is, the value of school property oocnea by tht
districts, Sept. l., 1872, should be subtractec
from $29, 963. 26, leaving $2S, 741.51. Now di
vide this SUN by 5 046, the number Of pupil,
enrolled we get SIS. 70, and this divided BY LOS
the average number of months taught, give!
$l.l5 as the whole cost OF public education Pc
month, per pupil enrolled
But in estimating the cost of tuition unde
the private system, at $l.75 per month, omit
ted the Items OF building, repairing, furnishing
houses, &c. Let these be counted and 20,
raise the amount to 81 or upwards, and the
truth OF my assertion stands unimpeached anC
unimpeachable.
The entire inadeQuacy of the pay of teacher;
is admitted and much to be regretted, and VIZ
cannot expect them as class to improve unit
they receive fair compensation for their labor
and are employed for longer term.
Having deemed it an official duty to correct
the mlscalculatlons into which Farmers pre-
judices have led him, | will close with few sug-
gestions:
When all the facts are so accessible, time
| spent ln the construction OF baseiess argu-
ment might be saved by ascertaining those facts.
The Chinese method Of first building root
and then putting house under it, may suit
the Heather Chinee," but the more approved
plan with Us is to begin with laying a good
foundation.
1t is proVerhialy unWise to quarrel with one's
bread aud butter. The free schools have driven
private schools out of the market almost en-.
tirely. Abuse will nos improve the former
and they will not down at argument. Their
why discuss the subject? "a Farmer in col
league with Justice" would accomplish al
much by debating the Missouri Compromise
or advocating cur rights in the territories, o.
the right OF secession, Or denounciDg universe
suffrage, or giving objections to the Walker
movement AYE, there's the rub" Fol
wrapped Up in that Walker movement, (like {
nauseous pill, Farmer would say) was this freS
school system. And now self-interest as vel
as good faith demands that we give it fail
trial And what else cao We do? La enc view
popular education may be regarded as an as
sumption On the part of the State-in another
it is concession to the people. And who evel
heard of the people voluntarily relinquishing
concession? Witness the example of Wes
Va. Conservatism coming into power, at oct
fell swoop ab lished the township organization
and almost everything Of Yankee origin in tht
, administration of the State Government ercep
free schools aud in spite of the fact that th,
party formerly in power had been guilty of NOR
, corruption In the management Of the schoo
funds than in anything else. [ challenge -
Farmer" to cite single instance where th
| free school system vas abolished after havin.
once been introduced
1t Is not the part OF manhood or oC wisdom
to sit and lament cur sad condition. Let u
rather, accepting the situation, and seeing tn
} car Of State Of our dear old Mother, Virginia
we'll nigh overwhelmed in the slough Of de
spond, like dutlul sons, put our shoulders t.
: the wheel and press forward to our true posi-
, ton In the national sisterhood.
j. E. GUY, Co Supt. Schools
= Staunton, March 3rd, 1873.