Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-09-15
+" ETCHINGS."
IN WHICH THE INDEPENDENT
Attempts portraying the Varied Inter-
ests and Industries OF
Martinsbnfg.
NUMBER v

NUMBER V.
The s'etcher" has been making some
inquiries in relation to educational
matters in Martinsburg, and conyersa-
ton with those best qualified to pass
opinion upon the merits or defects Of
the public school system demonstrates
the fact that intelligent public spirit
snstains and strengthens such educa-
tional efforts as have been put forth.
Very little of the false sentiment that
would place 'scastev or "creed" as an
obstacle in the way of the free school
system of the State is observable ; the
community as such appreciate the sys-
TEN, and bids God-speed to the work.
The boast of the Northern States has
been (and with reason, too, that it's
public schools, freed from Church or
State influences, constitute an impor.
tant element of power. "Dlxiev has
ever been slow to appreciate the fact,
and it has become the province of West
Virginia to set an example to her sister
States, by providing literally for free
schools. So far as Martinsburg is con-
cerned, while it is true that its public
schools are not all that could
be wished, yet it must be remembered
that the system is, comparatively
speaking,a new one, and, for the masses
of the people, there is vast difference
between the old regime and the new.
1t was not until 1866 that a graded
school system was attempted here-pu-
pills, parents and teachers, since then,
have alike been educated to it, and, by
degrees, old barriers have been swept
away, old prejudices been overcome.
The millennium has not quite arrived,
however. There is still lingering
hostility to the system in the hearts and
minds Of few Bourbons and would-be
aristocrats (?), but this element of OPP
position is of little account.
BY special Act of the Legislature,
approved Dec. Goth, 1878, Martinsburg
was constituted an Independent school
district-a measure that has tended to
decidedly promote the efficiency of the
system. Still another evidence of
progress--a recognition of advanced
ideas-is embodied in another special
Act, approved in March 1870, requiring
German to be taught in the city schools.
The control of the schools is vested in
Board of Education, each of the
Wards of the city having one represent
tative in the Board. The present Board
is composed of the following named gem
tlemen
1st Ward, d. w. Rodrick.
End " j. n. Thatcher.
3rd g w. b. Colston.
4th 6 Richard Boyer.
9TH " III. Mcdowell.
Captain Colston, editor of the States
man, is President of the Board, and it
is but right to add that he and his con-
freres are in earnest in their efforts to
advance the cause Of popular educa-
ton.
The public school system in Martins
burg embraces five ward schools Zone
of which is colored school and one
grammar or high school. The curricu-
lum of studies and the graduation OF
classes are modelled after those meth
DDS that have been found most effective
in the North, and the result is that no
city in the State has more right than
this to take reasonable degree of
pride in its educational system.
Wonderful improvements have been
made since 'G6, and other improve
ments are in progress. The school
buildings in the End and 4th Wards are
very creditable-the are cOmmodious,
well-lighted, well ventilated and well
arranged; the 9th Ward building is also
fair one, though it needs charging,
while the new grammar or high school
building which will be completed this
fall or winter Cat cost of about $l0,-
000) will be an ornament to the city.
The ward schools are preparatory;
advancement from one grade to anoth-
er depends upon proficiency and
not upon fayoritism; graduate of the
high school has thorough education,
so far as pertains to the branches
taught in schools below the grade of
college. In these schools education is
free to all pupils between the ages of
6 and 81; the State appointments aid
ing in sustaining the system, amounts
to $4,000 per year-a direct tax makee
up the remainder. There are, all told,
% teachers, and the total attendance