The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-03

IN relation 10 compromises by ndIlciar1es
with the sanction OF court Of equity.
By Mr.. Wirkham: Bill TO incorporate
the Twin City Ferry and Railroad Com
pany. accompanied by memorial.
BY Mr.. Trout: Bill to prevent fraud and
fraudulent practices upon or by hotel
keepers, inn-keepers, or clearinghouse
Keepers.
By NJ. Heaton: Petition,of Charles NJ.
Fauntleroy, l.. II. Powell. and seventy
other citizens OF Loudoun county. praying
amendments to the game laws.
RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED AND ADOPTED.
On motion Of Mr.. Diggs,
Resolred, That the Committee on Public Instl-
turons and Education inquire into the expedlency
OF providing 10y law for the admission INTO the
Coiored Normal and Collegiate Institute one stu
dent from each senatorial district upon the re-
commentator OF the respective seIiators. free
from all charge and expenses Of tuition.
On motion of Mr.. Wickham,
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be
directed 10 inquire into the eXpediency OF refund
ing ~ the Virginia state Agricultural Society n
certain sum OF money paid by II In the autumn of
1883 on account of Iicensts on certain sales snd
exhibitions at their last Fair, aud report by bill or
otherwise.
On motion OF Mr.. Wickham:
Resotred, That the Committee for Courts of JUS
tice inquire into the expediency ofauthoriziDg the
supei yisors Of Henrico county 10 compensate
Judge John ID. Foster. Of King William county.
for holding term fthc County Court of HenricO.
and report by bin or otherwise.
MESSAGE PROM THE GOVERNOR.
The Chair laid before the Senate COM
munication from the Governor, which was
partly read. and on motion OF Mr.. Koiner
laid on the table and ordered to be print
ed.
COMMONWEALTH OF NIRGNIA.)
GOvERNOR's OFFICE.
RICHMOND, February >, 1884.
To the Genera! Assembly:
The absence OF proper data and the
pressure OF routine duties consequent
upon the meeting Of the General Assembly
prevented submission then OF the facts and
recommendations now communicated.
The matters to which your attention will
be directed are OF a purely business na-
ture, and as such they should be treated.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Since the re-establishment of the public
revenue and the consequent increase OF
funds available for the cause OF free edu-
cation. the greatest want experienced in
the administration OF the public schools
has been that Of competent teachers. In
the past five years this need has been mea-
surably supplied, and ii may reasonably be
hoped that the normal schools now in exist
ence, and those in progress OF institution.
will i'm the near future meet the demands
of the case so far a. the number OF educated
instructors j. concerned. But experience
in other States has developed the neces.i .itv
OF educating the educators, Of bringing the
teachers together to consult and determine
upon the best methods OF teaching. So far
this State has been dependent for fGnds to
conduct teachers institutes on gTatuitOus
contributions Through the Rev. DR..
Curry from the Peabody fund. The
present school law OF Virginia forbids
the State Board OF Education to expend
one dollar to the purposes which / con-
slider so essential. Teaching, when APP
piled TO the enlightenment OF an indi-
vidual mind or character. may re 4 gift,
but when directed to overcoming the ig-
norance or stimulating the intelligence Of
a large community, must be an acquired
science. The men and women who are
TO lead the attack by intelligence upon
the army OF ignorance should hold cosn-
ellis OF war as to the ends TO be sought
and the paths by which to reach them.
And the interest of the teachers (p00rly
paid at best for most useful and hOnora-
ble seryice) should be stimulated by calling
them together during the school vacation
for comparison OF views. statements OF eX-
Derience. to feel the touch of elbow, and
gather fresh courage and knowledge for 4
task which deserves all the encouragement
n State can give. Ii is earnestly and ur-
gently recommended that the State Board
OF Education be authorized TO eXpend not
less than $4,000 annually for the holding
of teachers institutes.
THE STATE MILITIA.
1t appears from the report OF the Adiu-
tant-General "a most faithful and efficient
offcer) that the volunteer service is in
creditabIe condition. | should say it was
unexpectedly so in view OF the neglect
which the State for many years has shown
10 the volunteer soldiery. More men are
reported for duty than ever before; the
forces have been gathered into regiments
and brigaded, and under all the dlsad-
yantages attending this matter improved
arms and equipments have been fur
nisbed our State troops. Still, 1t re-
mains the truth that the Legislature ig-
nores the active militia. Last year the
military appropriation was olV. L nat
sum did not pay for the shipment Of arms
10 the companies organized during the
wear. The Legislature should either en-
dorse and provide for the citizen soldiery
or abolish the organization as useless adj
junct OF the government.
It Is hoped that the report Of the Adiu-
tant.G .General will receive the earnest con-
sideration OF your body. His long eXpe-
rience entities bis views TO be received with
favor. and they seem TO me to force them
selves on your attention by their own
weight.
In this connection II may be proper TO
state that for many years We have had an
Ad,utant.G Gcneral serving for nominal pay.
I wish TO say emphatically that the Adju-
tant- General has now increased duties and
RESPONSIBILITIES, while he receives practi-
caliy nothing for his work. The Office Is
one OF daily labor. The service, when
properly rendered, must occupy all the
time OF competent official.
recommend that the Office OF Adiutaut-
General should be restored to its former
position Of dignity and emoliment; and It