Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-05-13
THE CITY FREE SCHOOL QUESTION.

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Editor Spectator:
- ~ So much has been said respecting
the recent action of the School Board for our
city, appointing Principal of Public Schools,
and misapprehenslons prevailing as to the no
tives which have induced many of US to sign
petition to the Board, asking a reconsideration
of this appointment, that deem it not inappro-
pirate to. ask space in your columns with the
view of correcting misapprehensions and of sug-
costing some Of the reasons which induced such
q petition.
The petition itself: and the general character
of the signers, afford a refutation of the charge
of sectional prejudice" l know of no such
feeling cropping out on all occasions against
Northern men" Nor have heard the objec-
ton that he is Yankee urged against the APP
pointment of the gentleman selected by the
Board. Such declarations may serve the ends
of political parties. But the true men of the
North as we'll as South have long since come to
the conclusion that the higher motives ennoble
political action,',' and that the cause which won
and the cause which lost, can alike furnish types
Of the truest manhood and virtue. All our peo
Pile unite In extending most cordial invitation
not only to Yankee capital and energy" las
expressed IN one OF our recent city papers) but
to all persons who may desire to cast their lot
with us, of such material as gives an earnest of
making good citizens, come from whence they
may-and while upon coming among us they
may teach us much, they, in turn, will have
much to learn.
But we protest against the boosted assumption
on the part of the New England States that they
alone can originate and conduct an enlightened
system of public education. tits said of Lycur-
gus that ''he resolved the whole business of leg
isiation into the bringing up of youth" and
some stress has been laid upon this subject by
even wiser than he. But we never heard that
either Solomon or Lycurgus drew any of their
inspiration or wisdom from New England.
To the Germans is perhaps due most credit for
the various free school systems. But even be-
fore the war we had excellent free schools in
our country. We have only to point to Penn
sylvania, and most of the Western States, to AL
ALBANIA and South Carolina to furnish examples
of public schools of which their people were
justly proud. The great West is indebted to one
of Virginia's sons-Thomas Jefferson--for the
wise provisions which have been successfully
carried out and made her free schools among the
best in our country. There were also free
schools in some of the larger cities of Virginia
It is admitted that there were but few such
schools in our State. But it should also be said
there was small need for them. The reason can
be found in her sparse population-the fact that
pauperism was almost unknown-and in her I'M
rivalled private schools and colleges easily &C.
cessible TO all her children. This latter state
ment is fact known to all who have t. ken the
pains to examine into her history before war re-
duced her wealth to ashes But she still has
sons and daughters who are deficient neither in
brains or education and whO in all respects, are
fully capable of taking charge of and conduct
ing her Nblic schools.
And just here beg to say am in favor of the
public school system, as are, in my opinion, q
large majority of our people. The last most ex-
cellent report of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction of the State has been read by me
with great care. 1t contains many most excel
lent suggestions; and / cannot but think that
even though he may never have heard of graded
schools before, any intelligent and well educated
man can, with this pamphlet in his hands, or
ganize and successfully conduct such school
as our City Board and DR.. Sears seem most to
l.. - u H. 0a1 h., ok1I fI0-
careful examination Of the two systems pro-
posed in the pamphlet or from an intelligent
opinion derived from other sources conclude to
adopt that Of classification, instead of what
to be technically known as the ''grGded SYSTEM"
must confess that am at loss to see in this q
sufficient reason for Withholding from us the as
sistance of the Peabody Fund.
But to return to the petition. AS handed in
to the Board it contains between ninety and one
hundred names. and represents some two hun
gent inquiry l have failed to find single signer
who desires to have his name erased, and l un-
hesitatingly give it as nay opinion that seventy
five per cent OF our people would sign the paper
if presented to them
A word as to the o7in,us of the petition: No
dsrespect or unkindness has been felt OF intend
ed to the members of the School Board. They
are among my Warmest personal friends and
have talked with them freely upon the subject
In signing the petition we do not mean to I'M
pugn the motives of any one We think a mas
take has been made, and though we fully appre-
ciate the delicate character of the difficulties
which surround-any effort to have it corrected,
we have felt it to be our duty not to withhold our
opinion upon the subject. Upon this subject of
Free schools our people may be divided into two
classes Firs6-and this is by far the more nu-
merous classare those who are advocates of the
free school system, per Sc; Secondly, those who
are opposed to it but desire to make the best of
what they consider an existing evil. l do not
think am mistaken in the opinion that all good
citizens are most earnestly des rous of expert
encing the greatest perfection under such sys
tenn. The only difference between the signers
of this petition and the gentlemen composing
the School Board is, as to the best mode of &C.
complishing this common object. We think it
can best be attained by judicious of the
material which a1e haze, and that this should be
worked in entire harmony and accord with the
institutions of learning of our own State. We
feel just pride in these Institutions. They may
be improved, but they should be built upon, not
eradcated. AS Virginians we are naturally sem
sitive upon this point From among the gradu-
ates of our own colleges we think there is album
dant material from which to make selection of
Principals and Superintendent for our public
schools. The great diff guilty with us is the want
of means to pay them, and fortunately the boun-.
ty of Mr. Peabody may relieve us somewhat
Should, however, we find ourselves mistaken in
this resource, we think it best not to sacrifice
principle to too hasty progress. Festina lente
AS to the gentleman selected by the Board we
udNc AOb ~ WIN W. say, OASOPej ehoo SOhllHS W
us even as q stranger, he would receive hearty
welcome as Citizen; clothed with the common
dation of DR.. Sears, he will be doubly welcome.
Your excellent editorial in the Spectator of the
10Th ult., embodies, we believe, the views of our
people upon this subject 1t contains, however,
slight inaccuracy to which I should not refer,
except that it has been alluded to by other pa.
pers. You say that you are informed that no of
fers or promises were made to the Board in the
premises. Upon this subject have to say that
the credentials furnished to the Board suggest
ing the appointment of Mr.. Ladd. do contain
direct and emphatic promise of money (from
the Peabody fund to pay his salary, condi-
toned upon his appointment, and a further
promise of a special appropriation of an addi-
tional sum to start the system, and a remin-
der that another appropriation previously prom
ised was dependent upon the Inauguration of
this system, and herein lies, Mr.. Editor, the ex-
cuse for the action of the Board. 1 have deem
ed it proper to state this in justice to them and
to their numerous friends, of whom | am one.
A PETITIONER