The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-19
Dr. RuHner nnd the Educational
Journnf.

Il -. 4 Z ##
REPORT OF, TIE SPECIAL. COMMITTEE APPOINT
ED TO CONSIDER MR.. HURTS CHARGE AGAIHsT
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF, PUBLIC IEsTRUc-
i TON ~ REF EREScE TO The EDUCATIONAL
JOURNAL. .r-.;,...., ,,........E =.
Mr. Phlegar, chairman OF the special COM
mittee oil the Senate appointed to consider
the charge that DIR. Vt. III. Ruffner, Super
intendent OF Public Instruction, hnd di.
rected tbeeounty superintendent OF schools
for Pittsy lvania county not to grant u Ger
tain class OF, teachers certificates to per-
sons who were. not subscribers to the Edu-
cationdl journal, yesterday presented the
following report; which was placed on the
calendar: l.. -,.,.. s...f.'
10 the Senate Of Virginia: -....I
Yotir committee appointed under the fol-
lowing resolution, adopted March 5, 1879
There follow :he preamble and resolution],
would respectfully report that they have
heard the testimony OF Senator John l..
Hurt and DR.. William Fl. Rufi'ner and con-
sidered the certificates Of various gentle
men filed by Mr.. Hurt and DR.. Ruffner,
from which they report:
1. That neither the Board OF Education
nor DIR. William Fl. Rufner, Supcrlntcnd-
ent OF Public Instruction, ever instructed
any county superintendent Of schools "not
to grant certain class OF teachers certit-
Gates to persons who were not subscribers
TO the Virginia. Educational Journal or any
other educational iournal"; that said Board,
by an order published in the Virginia Edu-
.cationat Journal. May, 1874, page 375,
established Il grade OF higher or premium
certificates, TO be "bestowed sparingly,"
and only to those who have familiar ac-
quaintunce with the improved methods OF
instruction, and who are habitual readers
OF "the current educational literature"; !;
and by an article in the July 1S74l No. OF
the Virginia Educational journal DR.. Ruff
ner said, "And the teacher who does not
take an educational journal thus gives pre-
sumptive evidence OF untuess for first
grade certificate" No other or different
instructions were ever given. Your coni-
mittee are Of opinion that both the regula-
tion and the remark OF DR.. Rutfner are pro-
per and iudicious.
2. In a public meeting at Pittsylyania
Courthouse in the summer Of 1878 DR..
George W. Dame, the county superintend-
ent OF that county. in answer to an inter-
rogatory irciH Senator John T.. Hurt. said
he had refused premium certificate to an
applicant because she was not 4 reader OF
any educational journal, and that he did so
cation that DR.. Ruffner was present, and
aSsented to this declaration of DR.. Dame
that the assent was given under an impress
sion on the part OF DR.. Ruf'ner that the re-
fuSal was because OF non-acquaintanc
with the improved methods OF instruction
and the current educational literature ~
he not understanding the declaration OF DR..
Dame to be limited TO the reading OF an edu-
cltional journal.
Your committee believe the misunder-
standing in this case grew out OF failure
on the part OF the gentlemen concerned to
draw the distinction between the Virginia
Educational journal and the residue OF the
mass Of educational literature which Is pub
llshed, and that therc has been no inten-
tional wrong or misrepresentation on the
part OF any one connected with the matter.
Your committee submits the evidence
taken before il, and ask to be- discharged
from further consideration Of the matter.
Respectfully submitted.
CSienedl ARCHER a. PHLEGAR,
Chairman;
A. FULKERsoN,
JOHN FL. GAYLE,
...'..r.. DANIEL A. GRIMsLEY,
... HENRY W. MURRAY.