The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-23
THB FREE SCHOOLS.


THE FREE SCHOOLS.
Judge Fleming Claiming n EittiC Too Much
for Ills ParIy--rho Republican Record.
To Ia Editor Of DE Lateliigeaee.
S1R:-I see that Judge Fleming, in his
campaign speeches for the Goyernorship
OF the State, admits that the Republican
party established the free school system
in West Virginia, but claims that the
Democratic purity has perfected it.
The Judge is very modest, pleasant
gentleman, and ought not to give cur
rency to any Misrepresentation, even
upon the stump.
Upon the organization OF tho State OF
West Virginia in 1868, Prof. Ross, OF
Ohio county, was made Chairman oil the
Committee on Education in the House
OF Delegates, and your correspondent
having been teacher for years, was
placed at the head OF like committee in
tho Senate. Each reported bill and
from The joint iabors OF the two commit-
tees a school law was formed, and the
free schools fully inaugurated. Already
the citizens of Wheeling, and believe
those also Of part Of the Eastern Pan
handle, had under the laws OF Virginia
made some progress in the system OF
public schools, but with these two OK
centions, the work had to begin at the
bottom-nO school houses-but few
teaChers-and but little funds. In seven
years the Republican party handed over
the State to An enfranchised Democracy,
with over $500 school houses and re-
spectacle school fund.
1t will not be thought strange that !
took peculiar interest in the success OF
the institution and that felt iaudabie
pride in having something to do with
cause, upon the success OF which the in
telligence, the prosperity and happiness
OF the new State so much depended.
In 1872 was elected member OF the
Constitutional Convention that assem-
bled at Charleston, and when sat down
with only eleven other Republicans;
found that It took two weeks to recon.
Gle the body to sit under the Union
flag; that motions were made tochange
the names Of the counties Of Grant and
Lincoln to Davis and Lee; that such was
the hatred to everything that had been
inaugurated by the Republican party,
that they wiped out the word township
ond reorganized the old eiiete County
Court system, trembled for the system
OF Free schools.
A subject that richly deserved d full
committee, was given into tue hands OF
the Finance and Corporation Committee.
All kinds OF schemes were suggested.
If Old Virginia; ideas were exhibited
upon any part Of our New Constitution,
it was upon this subject OF education.
Colonies and majors were ready with
the old log house system and IN INDECENT
poor fund, and the motions and discus-
sions which took place in committee Of
the whole, were both ludicrous and
voluminous, and well for US that in that
body we had such men as President PEN
titeton, Waitman I. Wiley, Judge
Woods and lew others.
After some four days had been spent
over the article upon education, we had
migrated every section Of the old con-
stitution except one, when Isent to Mr..
Woods, by page, a motto requesting him
that MS we now had MI the old constitu-
ton transferred TO the new except one
section, would he not do me the favor to
moyeits adoption. / had learned to trust
and love the man for his endeavor and
ability to do the right, and after reading
nv note, nod signitied his readiness to
act, and on his motion the 18th section
was added 10 the article on education
and / felt relieved. II any person
will take the trouble TO compare the
constitution OF 1868 with that OF 1872
they will see VIC succeeded in saving the
system intact, except that they added n
new section that white aud colored
children should not be taught in the
same schools. Whether that was an
improvement on the old, am willing
to leave To posterity.
II the Democratic party has carried
out the system in good faith and con-
summated the work we SO grandly be-
gun, l am content. But would not Il
meek and quiet spirit become our
friends all the better, and ought they
not at least give us the credit OF first
leading off in the good work2
The Judge does not seem TO be very
well posted in school affairs, and when
he ventures to give figures and make
comparisons he gets into deep water.
And he must not be surprised II the
friends OF the free schools are suspicious
that the School Fund" is not to-day as
safe rs when we delivered it to his party
in 1870.
By what authority do the State officers
borrow the money Of this fund and give
her bonds for the same? True, West
Virginia bonds are just ms safe as the
bonds OF the general Government; but
where do they find the power, to take
this school fund to run the schools with
in order to lead our citizens to believe
that the taxes are lower under Demo-
cratic administration than they were
under n Republican.
Just how mnch OF this school fund has
been so used we are unable to fud out,
and we propose as the best plan to audit
the books-to turn over to the Republic
eau party the administration Of State
affairs.
It is stated as fact OF history that
when the Democratic administration
came into power at Washington, and
full count was made of the cash in the
United States Treasury, 1t was all &c
counted for except a deficit OF two cents
Happy will our friends be il their books
stand so close a scrutiny.
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