Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-08-12
BUNKER HILL.

lie that ground has been broken
for the erection of new school
house at this place. [ would feel
much prouder of my nativity, ii
the building was of larger proper
tons, and a college with a full
corps of teachers, was to be estab-
lished in its stead. Free schools
are primary and we need them
too. but the great advantages that
this place presents for the estah-
lishment0f an institution Of learn
ing, in consideration of its locali-
ty, its fine churches, its society, its
uperabundance of fine medicinal
waters, its natural scenery, which
il in itself q perfect encyclopedia
for the painter or the philosopher,
are sufficient evidence that Bun
ker Hill has attractions that few
places have. | do not wish to he
understood as being opposed TO
the free school system, rs ii was
originally intended, but it seems
to me that we took hold of it be.
fore we were ready. There is
something in connection with it
as conducted here among us, that
is not understood by the masses,
consequently it fails TO give entire
satisfaction. We are to narrow
minded to run a free school sue
cessfully. Our taxes are too high
for the benefits we receive. We
should have large, we'll ventilated
school houses, located at central
pOints~-not at the door of a favor
ed few. Spacious play grounds is
one Of the most essential things
of a school building, because, If a
child's sports are confined, the
school room will become irksOme
and he will lose his taste for study.
Employ competent teachers, and
increase rather than diminish their
pay. Run the schools ten months
in the year, and a single man
might make a living at $2S per
month; but the salaries are too low
to secure good teachers. We can't
expect to have prosperous schools
without good teachers. | do not
design, however, 10 open the way
for any controversy on the subject
OF free schools. | have but one to
educate, and / intend 10 teach her
all | ever did know, all that |
might have known, ali that / now
know and all that | may learn be-
tween this and the time Of my de-
parture L will console myself
that she will be able, at least, to
scrub Kitchen or peal a later.
Camp meetings are now la order.
One commences at Crum's chapel,
in Clarke county, Va, on the 18th
and one commences near this
place on Che 25th, while one is now
in progress at Bedington. Candi-
dates will no doubt avail them
selves Of The many little advau-
tages these religious ~ recrea-
tions offer They never like to
worry their families With the te-
dunn of the camp ground, SO they
leave them az home, aud, gener-
ally go empty handed, that they
NAV be untrampied and left free
TO enjoy the iuXurjes provided by
their friend. A few short years
ago there was O noted vessel, that
was Away anchored upon our
camp ground at picuics, &c, whose
proprietor, (uOh'e soul that he
was) has been called home. Many
of your readers on Tuscar0ra will
readily perceive to whom | refer
when | say that The Great East
ern" would cruise around the coast
of our camping ground and always
drOp her anchor amid a host Of
friends, her iiue@ made fast. gang
plank laid and her cabins all ready
inspectors were soon on hand to
examine her celebrating cargo.
There was no need OF a fog horn
when old friend MOng was once
tied fast. His cheerful counte-
nance gave q welcome to all his
friends. To "Wet the whistle"
was the prelude to the onslaught
of his inexhaustible supply of
edibles he used as ballast 10 keep
down the "Great Eastern" /
doubt whether the great sea giant
was ever freighled With better
supply Of spurious fermeai than
was this dry land vessel Of nina
tive proportions called The Great
Eastern" | was sorry when |
heard of the fate Of This bot
vessel. for / know that it bright
ened the hours of many a despon-
dent candidate, some OF whom |
dare say would like to possess
some of the pieces in token of it
precious memory.
Only a few more days will
elapse ere the doom of our aspir-
ants will be sealed. Some OF our
delegates to the different c0aven-
tions are subjecting themselves 20
self infections in order that they