Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-04-14
LETTER FROM NORFOLK.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette


NORFOLK, VA, April -, 1SS4.-In my
last was in Prince William county, view
ing its battle grounds, and forming al &C
quainsanco with its people who are q:
whole-sculed and hosptable as have found
| in my travels through twenty-five States
during the past two years. There is q
marked difference between the people here
aud in parts OF Massachusetts. i stranger
visiting this locality is received into THEN
! homes and by their liresides he IS taken
into tncir society: in short, they presume
| that lie is IL gentleman until he proves him
SELF otherwise. My experience is that these
courtesics are granted usually without price
OF preference 10 those who appear 10 be
| worthy.
In parts OF the former State the same
stranger would he ask ed for letters Of recon-
mcudation ii lie had not these to give and
could not prove himself 10 be the son OF
some great aristocrat or that his great grand
sire MAS Il member of some returning board
he would then be regarded Ut Il suspicious
character. His general appearance, man
! hers and business would be the topic Of their
private conversation. The charges for ia
yo!s received would be limited by his
ability 10 pay. In short, they would regard
him as being rascal until he had passed
| the gauntlet Of their scrutinizlng gaze and
served II probation under their cold neglect
and cutting criticisms
In the point of education | can not say so
much for this part Of Virginia. | find many
vouug mcn who are unable to read or write
:.nG there i; q sad Indifference OH the part
or many concerning the public schools. The
schcoi law IS bad 20 begin with, and be-
iieve the teachers oi your State will uphold
me ia this assertion. The wages paid Them
are rot sufficient 10 support them, 10 say
nothing about better qualifying them for
liciY nigh and responsible calling. | lind q
numb@. Ds school houses unoccupied for
want OF teachers 10 teach iOr wages, which
are less than the man gels "ho handles the
pick and shovel. These charges are severe
vet have found tnem true. l find much
greater interest manifested by tnc negroes
IL different sarls OF the State than by the
whites II this state Of things continues
there will be q SAL state Of affairs iog the
whit. population otlhis Stalc in the iuture.
j find ;:c colored school; all we'll attended.
Tn" teachers and pupils OF these schools are
eaocr and persistent in their Gcmand:, ANA
often where they pay i!tiic OF 10 taxes.
While in Prince William county, ! rclna!ncd
for a time with Ir. William Buckley. of Catha--
pin IL justice 10 Ir. iicklcy would say II tic
county had 4 few >ECh workers for the schools
there you'd b. change for the hctt"" N short
time lie has made Il sacrifice Ci time and money
for me schools which are GHacr his charge but
he j. cue OF the few .ho can say 50 much Tor.
| fad tho teachers throughout The state ready
..ad willing 10 d, auythin; which will better fit
t.l.srlv,, for their lrOri; and advance the cause
a; ct!uca;on. BIZ; find their efforts greatly
injured by The political changes il your State. y
uarty which does no, protect and roster cducat on