The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-08-23
JACKSON COUNTY LETTER
RrPIEr, JACKSON Co, VIVA, Aug 10.

RIPLEY, JACKSON Co., W. Va Aug 10.
Editors Of the TntclIlgOncer;
Every good citizen OF West Virginia
has some interest in all parts Of this new
and prosperous State. Perhaps you will,
therefore, give publicity TO u few facts
concerning this county.
By appointment Of our excellent State
superintendent, Hon. B. W. Byrne. q
teachers' normal institute was opened at
Ripley on the 7th inst, under the man:
agement Of Prof. Charles Preston, OF
Roane county, and your correspondent.
To accommodate the teachers enrolled
t75) and the visitors, transfer OF the in
stitute from the school house to the Bap'
list church was effected about the 10th.
An intense interest was manifested in the
educational work during the entire ses.
sion. An excellent address, fayoring the
free school system, was delivered In the
court house on the evening Of the 9TH by
that warm and strong friend OF educa-
tion, Judge R. 8. Brown, Of Ravens
wood. Another neat little speech was
made on the 9th by the Dem.
ocratic candidate for Governor, Fl.
NJ. Mattews. II is hardly necessary
TO say that he and all other intelligent
men who have given expression in my
hearing, at this place, favor the free
school system. The Hon. George J.
Walker made an address in the Court
House opposing any change in the pre-.
sent school law. This was done to set at
res. an amendment called for BY the mem
bers of the Institute and others. 1t is
thought by many that teachers salaries
should not be based upon the class OF
their certificates alone. We have been
highly favored in addresses lectures and
discussions from nearly all the talented
lawyers OF Ripley. OF these / will name
| ". A. Parsons, ". ". Riley, John K.
Riley, V. S. Armstrong, Maj. Fl. C.
Fleshcr and Warren Miller. These gen
.!emen took an interest in our work, en-.
couraged US by their presence, and
aided us by their counsel. Rev.
Briscoe served US in like man
ner and is worthy Of our graft
tudc. He will long be held in crate.
full remembrance. But how can we do
Justice to Prof. K. II. Hughes? He dis
missed his school for two weeks and be.
came co.laborer with us during the entire
session. A man Of talent and one OF the
States best educators. Ripley may well
be proud Of him. Whether the town
made him what he is, or he the town what
il Is, deponent saith not; but this much
deponent doth say, here is q town OF neat
white houses, inhabited by intelligent and
very hospitable people. Marks Of pro-
gress are seen throughout the county.
Especially Is there great moral and intel.
lectual improvement going on here. And
this am told results from the free school
system and the abolishment OF the liquor
license law.
Your correspondent is no politician
nor does hc wish to step into the politi.
cal arena. It may, however, be OF inter-
eat to some persons to learn that the
good reputation OF John II. Riley, Esq,
Of Ripley, is borne upon the political
wind in direction which will place him
in the legislature Of this State. And the
vote in favor Of Judge R. s. Brown is
sure to give him a seat in the Supreme
Court, il other parts OF the State speak
the voice OF Jackson county. -
I must not occupy the columns OF your
valuable paper further than to say, that
he is a man, Of good reputation, scholar
we'll versed in not only legal but general
knowledge, man Of great mental powers
and Judgment matured by experience.
All who have given expression concern
ing him in my hearing, say he will per-
form the duties OF the office with honor
to himself and justice to the people;
- t.F.S.