The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-25
The Public Schools and the Election.

While the question of the Public Schools Of
the city has not assumed prominence in the
municipal canvass, it nevertheless should not
be lost sight of by those who are deeply inter
estcQ in their progress and perfection. II must
be admitted by all, that it is to the enlightend
and liberal policy of the present council, that
that the prosperity of the City Free Schools is
due. Notably, the gentlemen running on the
independent or Old Council ticket. have COM
pretended the full scope of this great benefac
ton, and have addressed themselves, with rare
courage and earnestness, to providing the
means for their successful operation and pro-
gressive development, The foundation is now
laid forthe best arranged and most useful schools
in the Commonwealth. 1t will require the fos-
tering care of the city, through its council, to
fully realize the expectations of the people, and
still further open up this great benefaction
for the training of the children within the cor
porate limits.
The gentlemen now composing the council
understand this well. Their hearts are in this
great work. They have shown the deep inter
est they take in them by appropriate and es-
sential acts, and it would be an exceedingly
doubtful and nnwise policy to transfer this i'm
portant interest to unskilled and unknown
hands. Tire gentleman running on the prima-
ry ticket may be in favor of the Free School
system-some OF them we know are Others
are opposed to the principle involved in them.
But even were all of them nvowedlv the friends
of the system, it would not be wisdom to ell
trust the schools to untried hands, and place
their success upon any contingency whatever.
The Public Free Schools of Staunton are the
Peoples Institution. They are for the educa-
ton Of the poor as well the ricll--tlle nursery
for the future guardians OF the city's and tie
States welfare. Let the voters of Stanton
cherish them as the richest boon ever vouch-
safed to them, and guard them with vigilance
as sacred and intrepid as that which hedges
| around virtue itself. We cannot afford to en-
counter risks. We cannot tamper with this
great interest. 1t is above price. and should be
nourished and fostered, as we value the future
usefulness and intelligence Of our Children
By supporting the old council, there can be no
possible mistake. They have been tried, and
AteFO FiofCN lLCG It's otdHtt Nv tHeiil
and attest our appreciation of their great SER
vices in behalf Of the Free Schools by continu-
ing them under their guardianship.
We regard the Public Schools as above par
ty, above friendship, above every other consid-
GRAFTON except the religion Of Christ, and as the
handmade Of that. Let the people jealously
protect them-keep them safe upon their pres
ent basis, and allow no doubtful experiments to
ieopardZe them.
We all know there are enemies of this inter
ests in ON midst. We all know there is now
concerted movement in the State to cripple first
and then destroy. and that it has sympathizers
here. We assume not that any of the gentle
men on the primary ticket will lend themselves
to such fatal policy. But we do assume that the
interests of the Public Schools of Staunton can
not be improved by substituting them for the
present council. There will be no bundc1
committed. no backward step taken, if we hold
fast to the friends we now have. Let us see to
it that we do this, and then keep above contin-
gency the success of our present admirable ed
ucational system