The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-06
probably make better showing than this, /

probably make DetCer showing cDan thtS,
Fbecause means were used hst winter to di.
minish current expenses, and there may be
some increase OF revenue. So. 1t would
seem that no great effort is required to
make the endsameet, SO far as these I'M
avOidable liabilities are concerned. Hadthe
t.register been struck every time a drink was
taken within the last year, instead Of hay-
ing to come in sackcloth the school-teach-
ers would now have their little earnings
and be chcerfully ut work again. ,Ebe
general difficulties OF the State are great
lwhen the whole mass OF her liabilities is
considered, but 80 far as the protection OF
the schools is concerned there really seems
to be but little difficulty. Three hundred
thousand dollars is not q serious matter TO Il
great State, which,rin addition to the pri-
vate means of her citizens, owns the largest
and richest tidal domain upon earth, whose
rental ought to make her income enormous.
South Carolina leases the bottom OF her
rivers to the dlggers OF phosphate rocks,
and we might do the same to fishermen and
oyster-farmers.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TIE pIBLIC DEBT.
Whether the State is able now to carry both
her public schools and her entire debt is q
question lying beyond the province OF this
office. Reputation is moral death-it Is
more, it is eternal damnation. But it is be-
lieved that there IS no large party in the
State which deserves this infamous brand.
There are many who believe that the maxi
mum OF taxation on land and property has
been reached, and such an opinion might be
held by the most honest Of men. But the
question in this form may not here be con-
sidered. Nor may we here consider the
legal questions a0iudicated by the coart OF
last resort TO its decisions we must bow
humbly. II is a sad thing il it be true
that the Legislature has power by vol
uniary act to ALLEVIATE funds sacredly
set apart for special purpose; and that
we must accept the inference that il one
Legislature may do it for one purpose, any
ctber Legislature may do it for similar
purpose, or for any other purpose; and so
our school money, even If now restored
and guarded, would still stand in jeopardy
every hour. The Supreme Court does not
declare that this is lawful and right. but
such has been the practical Interpretation,
whether right or wrong. The court de-
clares that the debt and the schools are, in
the eye Of the Constitution, equal claimants,
and that money should be provided 10 pay
both. But our misfortune is that, whilst
the Constitution and law provides money
ditor, in practice the creditor gets his money
and the schools in large part go without,
Dr. Ruffner then goes on to discuss
whether the debt really las chronological
priority over the public schools; the right
OF the State TO educate; the worlds opin-
ion and practice; the power OF culture; the
points OF laborer and how education i'm
proves him; the moral and religious ten
dcncy of education; education, crime, paul
pcrism, and government, &c. The report
makes siXty-four book pages. In conclu-
sion, he says:
And how can we produce largely il we
must work at heavy disadvantage as to
labor and the machinery Of production?
Here is the weak point in all our schemes.
Here is the point toward which the most
earnest attention should be directed. Here
there will be no disappointment. Every
blow struck will be sure move toward the
uplifting of the Commonwealth. Here is
the richest Of all the mines or undeVeloped
treasure. Here we unseal the mighty foun-
tains of national power. Here we give chill
dren to the mother earth, who will bring
back to her the fertility OF youth, and
through all the lines Of industry will thrill
4 new and stronger life.
Nould tnaf our leaders or lnouShC couIu
sec that here is our strength. Then would
the voices cease the everlasting cry, Lo
here! and 10 there behold our lands, our
minerals, our railroads., our river" -; and
would listen to another voice, :" The king
dom is within YOU" And then, as the
practical conclusion of all: II you would
develop Virginia, develop the people o1
Virginia, and they will develop the State.
........ ...... W. Fl. RuFFNER,
Superintendent OF Public Instruction.