The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-12
Public Schools and Public Roads.

Public Schools and Public Roads.
There are two interests about which the peo-
pie OF Augusta should be actively concerned.
for with their lively and prosperous care.
the welfare Of the county is intimately
associated. We mean the Public Schools
and the Public Roads. There are no,other
interests that come so closely home to the
people, and which bear so directly lnon
the future advancement of all the material
elements which go to make up an attractive.
progressive, intelligent community. With
good schools in every neighborhood centre,
and good roads leading from every por-
ton OF the county to the county-seat,
a wonderful change would be effected
IN the estimation of those seeking new homes
and contemplating investments in our farm
ing lands. We hazard nothing in saying,
that with good schools in every neighborhood
running nine months in the year, and graded
and grayeled roads leading through the prin-
eipal sections OF the county, real estate
would be enhanced in value largely be-
yOnd the cost such results would require.
We can conceive of nothing which would
be more attractive and more inviting to
strangers prospecting for change in domi-
ell and investment than the assurance
that in every neighborhood there was a
healthy condition Of the Public Schools,
and solid, substantial roads at all seasons
of the year passable forevery kind of farm
vehicle.
Unfortunately we have neither. The re-
cent report of the Superintendent Of Pub
lie Schools for the County informs us that
OF one hundred and thirty-one schools that
should have been run during the scholastic
year, there were only seventy-four in oper-
alton, and they so inadequately supported
that the benefits which should have been Sc
cured from them were not realized. This is
lamentable reflection upon Augusta coun-
ty,and serious imputation upon the public
spirit of the people, and shows the absence
OF an intelligent concern for the future of
the rising generation. 1t cannot be charged
to the inefficiency of the Public School sys-
tenn, but is attributable to the want of that
support which would give the system a fair
chance to work out the benefcent ends its in
auguration contemplated. There is not 4
district in the county which would not be
more than doubly compensated for the out
lay for the liberal support of all the school
houses in each OF them. and ample provision
made for the schooling Of every child in the
county. No more winning and conclusive
invitation could be given to intelligent, desi-
rable immigration than the fact of an estab-
lished, successful Public School system,
offering educational advantages for nine
months in the year, for the children of all
classes of citizens. In all the Northern
and Western States the public Schools are
the public pride, and residents of those
States, enjoying such advantages, would
as soon think Of locating in wilderness
as to settle in Il neighborhood where school
facilities were absent.
And so with the Public Roads, With the
exception of the Valley and Parkersburg
Turnpikes, there is not road in the county,
running from Staunton to the limits of the
county, that is not impassable..fo wagons of
ordinary freight capacity at certain periods
of the spring, fall and winter seasons-at
the very time when work is slack on the
farms, and when produce marketing ought
tobe done. The wear and tear of vehicles,
the saving and utilization of time and
horse power, would more than compensate
for all the expense that would be incurred
in putting and keeping the Public Roads in
good condition graded and graveled. 1t is,
too, safe to estimate that if these two in
terests-Public Schools and Public Roads
were placed on different and more favor
able footing than they are now, that real
estate would advance at least twenty-five
per cent. Inducements would be then held
out to persons from distant States seeking
homes to purchase farms that are in market,
and give us the benefit of their experience
enterprise and capital. Several Northern
gentlemen, a few weeks since, visited dis
tant localities in the county, and the first
thing they unfavorably commented on, af-
ter returning to Staunton; was the horrible
condition Of the public roads as compared
With those in the State whence they came
New York. They were free to express
the opinion, also, that the greatest draw
back to the Valley of Virginia that existed,
was the sickly condition of the Public
Schools and the rough and uninviting char
acter of our Public Roads.
Why should this be so? Augusta county
of Tn 1,o1s
there is a surplus in the Treasury. She is
enjoying the benefits of two railroads, with
out being taxed for their construction-she
is receiving donations from the State for the
support of the public charities located at
this place, to the amount of over 100000
annually, nearly all Of which is scattered
through the county-the Female Schools
established here through private and de-
nominational enterprise, distribute an eighth
of million dollars among the county people
every year, furnishing a market for every
thing that is raised on the farm. With these
substantial and unusual advantages, and
the benefits incident to them, it is not I'M
reasonable for us to suggest that the peo-
pie of the county should take live and in
telligent view of their own wants, to the
end that they may better appropriate the
propitious surroundings, and add to their
own comfort, stimulate their progress an
hold out richer and more varied induce
ments for the consideration of all who
may desire to locate in this beautiful and
highly favored valley.
We throw out these thoughts, hastily for
mulated, for the consideration of our read
ers, in the hope that they may meet favor
able response and invoke free and liberal
discussion. We believe if proper thought
were given the subjects we have adverted
to, a deep interest would be excited in them
and much good result. The people of Au-
gusta have enterprise, intelligence and pub
lie spirit, and if due reflection were to gov
ern in the matters of Public Schools and Pub
lie Roads, action would follow, and a new
and progressive era be inaugurated, which
would show its fruits in enhanced real val
hoe and moro penera1 aud v;dalu .J;H,cod