Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-12-13

lowance to the pnbIc schools from
the State funds. Ths interest, as
certained by act of Assembly OF
February 9. 1882, to be duc on
literary fund bonds and computed
be 1919, ,270, was by acts # A,se n.
bly,, sessions 1856 and 1878. ap.
propriated to the use of the public
schools in annual instalments Of
100000. The last instalment,
which was raised TO 100000,
by n supplementary apprO-
priatlon from the general reve.
nue. of the State, VIII be expended
during the year closing July 81,
1890. Hence. after this date, un.
less some special appropriation be
made, a deficiency of $4,000 per
annum will occur IN the cash ap-
portiOnment to the schools from
the State funds.
The 70 thcOmng annual report
of the Superintendent Of Public
Instruction, which will be- sub.
mitted to the General Assembly AT
an early day, will furnish addit Onal
statitiscal and Other Information OF
special value IN relation botn 10
our public schools and our irsti.
tutiOns for special and high r
education.
SUPPORT OF COLLEGES.
1t has been uniformly the policy
of the State to support her higher
institutions of learning with a
liberalty commensurate with her
resources. 1t is needless here to
present in detail the considerations
which vindlcate the wisdom of this
policy. 1t Is conceded that, in "A
free government especially, a
viTtuOus, Intelligent and patriotic
citizenship constitutes an essential
condition Of public safety and
social well.being. Therefore such
civil institutions as are adapted tOI
create this condition and thereby
to conserve and promote the pub
lie veal the State has right toI
establish and maintain. On this
theory rests the establishment OF
public free schools, and to the eX-
tent that they attain, or can be-
made to attain, this great end,
they are to be regarded as ne
cessity.
But the strength and prosperity
of a State depends also upon other
agencies; upon ludlclous a lmIn-
istralion OF public affairs upon
liberal culture in the various pro-
fesslons; upon directive power in
mining, manufacturing, mercantile,
aud other economic interests.
Hence, an enlightened policy de
mands the protection and promo
ton OF literature, science and art,
as contributing to these important
ends, and as constituting, OF them
se yes, apart from their practical
utllitJ, prominent features in an
advanced civilization, and hence
the value of institutions especially
adapted to higher literary, sclen-
ti(ic, and technical training. The
conditions of modern life, the
progressive and col pleX nature OF
modern civilization, demand "a
wider range OF technical instruction
and training than have existed ia
any previous age. Hence, without
institutions, or means IN some.
form, to furnish the higher, gener-
al, and special training, the State
must needs tail in a measure to
attain its normal condition OF III
tclectual, social, and material
well being, or send her aspiring
vonth beyond the borders in quest
Of the culture not Afforded at home,
or commit, in measure, the dlrec'
tion of her affairs and the develop
meut of her resources TO the edu-
Gated brain and skilled hand Of tho
stranger.
But Virginia has not been remIss
IN the timely organization OF higher
institutions Of learning, or In ac'
cordlng them a reasonably gener
ous support. The reports OF the
current year show these institutions
TO be. on a whole, in "A more pros
perons condition than for some
wears past. In some OF them the
number of matriculates has largely
. increased, especially during the
past two years. The distinctive
features OF these institutions are
readily recognized. Tue UnlyerSl'
ty of Virginia mlintains "A variety
of literary, scientidc, and PROBES
sional departments or schools
The soundne-s and thor0ughneSs
of the several courses OF lnsirlc
ton, aud the high standard ol
A scholarship uniformly required Ion
. graduation, have Justly placed th'
.. University IN the fore front OF ad
Q ucational institutions. Additlona
{ facilities for instruction, especially
1 of a practical character, in some o
( the scientific departments, woul'
i. enhance the usefulness OF th'
T school.
The Virginia Military lnstltut'
= maintains distinctivel, the milltar.
system IN its government and dis
4 ciplne, and gives both Theoretical
Il and practical instruction in militia
q ry service and tactics. In its othe
~ educational work it gives prom
= uence TO instruction in science an'
its leading applications. Such Az
o ditIonal equipments as the scho'
" needs will be brought to the atteI
n tion OF the General Assembly.
"a The Virginia Agricultural an
Mechanical COllegeis better equlpI
r - ooon;nt ,vnfly than q. q