Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-19
For the SPECTATOR,
Letter from Alton.
ALTON, VA, Feb. 9th,

ALTON, VA, Feb. 9th, 1878.
In the public schools of Virginia the
people and immigrants are promised
everything that could reasonably be ex-
pected. Our system, to be sure, is not
perfect. nor. indeed, will it be easy to
find one that is-0ne that will apply
with equal success in every instance,
but ours possesses many advantages,
and these, with increased wealth and
population, we may expect to see fully
developed. Many of the counties Mel
sen excepted) have already given un-
mistakable evidence of their determina-
tion to leave nothing undone to make
our public schools practical success
In the itemized estimates of quite a
number of the counties for the ensuing
year, we find provision made for an
Increased number of schools over previ-
GUS years, and in others more liberal ap-
preparations to those already organized.
Where counties have fallen behind, the
cause is to be traced, in almost every in
stance, to the lack of energy and enter
prise on the part of the County Super
intendcnt aud Trustees, (which is the
case in Nelson.) Altogether the pros
pect is most encouraging. Local school
officers are alive to the importance of
maintaining the system, and although
fully imbued with the spirit of retrench:
ment, and determination to meet obli-
cations already incurred, they are un-
willing to abridge the advantages to be
derived from supporting their public
free schools. In other words, though
they feel the burden of taxation, they
are not disposed to reduce it at the ex-
pense of the educational interest of the
country. This is as it should be, yet we
only see in such action of county boards
the sentiment of the people reflected
upon this subject. (Again we must ex-
cept Nelson county, Members of boards
act in a measure. no doubt, from sense
of responsibility and duty, yet they also
realize the demands of public opinion
upon them, and, as long as this is the
case, whatever faults may exist in the
system, they can never have very dam
aging effect, for where a people are in
earnest, and have a disposition to do,
obstacles and disadvantages are always
overcome, Except in Nelson county
where the boards are fogies.) But the
increased interest of the people in the
cause of education, and their consequent
willingness to submit to taxation in or
der to its advancement, is not the only
view of our school interest which prom
ises higher degree of success in the
future. We shall be enabled in time to
offer better salaries to teachers, and by
this means will attract those of higher
attainments to engage in this work, an
object which should always be Kept IN
view. When the school Germ covers
onIv the sepmo,,A u year, and a teach
or racais-es but an Indifferent remunera-
sson for the time employed, those who
are really fitted for the duty of instruc-
tors are apt to seek some other chan
mel OF employment. Our county boards.
therefore, should bear in mind that it is
of very great importance to have good
teachers, and that to do this such in
ducements must be offered as that schol-
ars OF the first ability must be led to
enter this field of labor. Nelson coun-
tty boards have no use for teachers, as
they have no school-heuses, except one
for each trustees convenience We
may also expect very soon the organiza-
ton of teachers institutes and a uni
tormity in cur school text-books-two
Things most desirable in every system
OF public schools. The one will tend to
Introduce uniform and more efficient
methods of instruction; the other will
prevent that very great evil of change
OF textbooks, and the consequent check
20 sne pYgres. OF the pupil with every