The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-09
EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA.

as 10 the condition Of the public schools
OF the State, and the conclusion which
we have reached is that in some sections
at least the schools are very poor and are
not improving Virginia is expendiIg
about 100000 year on her schools. but
she has not been getting value received
at least. she has not been getting as great
benefits as she was fairly entitled to re-
ceive for this large expenditure of money.
Public sentiment is largely at fault
There is a lack of appreciation OF this
matter of popular education, no less
amones the educated classes than among
the uredscated classes. Indeed, it is our
deliberate opinion that the fault is more
with The former than with the latter.
That class of people who do not patronize
the public schools but who send their
children to private schools, have not Civ
en- proper attention and consideration to
tho public-school system OF Virginia.
Many such men are willing to pay their
school tax, but are disposed TO throw this
money as a tribute to the system and
after that wash their hands of the whole
business.
To be perfectly frank, this is due in no
small degree TO the training OF the South
err aris.ocrat Before the war the slave
owning class were very careful to have
their sons and daughters trained in the
best schools of the land, for they fully
appreciated the value Of education; but
the dominant sentiment among this class
OF people was that education was not q
good thing for negroes, or even poor White
folks. 1t IS true that there were schools
for the white masses, conducted at the
pubic expense, but they were called free
schools and were held more or less in
contempt by the aristocrats.
It has been difficult matter TO over
come this prejudice and to educate the
educated people of the State up TO a full
appreciation OF popular education. Il is,
therefore. with a view TO bringing this
question in all its serious import 10 the
attention of the educated men and women
of Virginia that The Times has deter
mined to devote q portion OF its space, at
least once 2 week for some time to come,
to a discussion Of this question in all its
bearings, with the hope that sentiment
may be more fully aroused and crystal
lied We have the promise Of q num-
Der of prominent educators throughout the
State TO contribute something towards this
department, and the first article in the
series is from the pen Of Hon. j. L. NJ
Curry. IL. D., who has devoted many
years of his life to popular education. Dr.
6urry's article is one of the most force
ful and comprehensive that we have seen,
and it should be carefully read and cane
fully and praycrfully studied by all men
and women who have the true interests
Of the people of Virginia at heart.
DR.. Curry first OF ali tmpresses the fact
that education Of the people is function
of the State; that it is the duty of the
State to provide the means of education
TOR all the people. This does not mean
that there shall be no private schools, but
81 does mean that there shall be good ana
efficient public schools, where all children
without money and without price may
receive the advantages offered. This is
a perfectly rational and logical view, be-
cause education is the means TO an end
of government; it is a means Of impror-
ing our citizenry, of uplifting the pep
PIE, of promoting public morality. and
therefore Of establishing more surely and
maintaining our Institutions Of govern
nent.
But apart from all this, education is
u practical thing, for it stimulates en-
deayor in the material world and in
creases the productive capacity of the
peonle. Dr. Curry says that the common
estimate of political economists and sta
tisticians is that education adds p per
cent to the value of labor. II any man
doubts this let him make comparisons
between the wealth and production OF
those States where for years a good sys-
TEN OF public schools has been in opera
ton ana those States where popular edu-
cation has been neglected. IL this view
OF the case a good public-school system
IS an economic necessity. There is COM
petition between the States and Virginia
cannot reasonably hope to progress as her
natural advantages enuue her TO progress
unless her. people are by good training
qualified TO compete with the well-trained
artisans of other States Instead OF be-
ing too poor to educate" adds DR. Cur.
ny. "we are too poor not to educate" As
Nell talk of discarding labor-saving ma
chinery or any other instrumentality OF
modern development as to talk of aban-
aoning our. schools because We are 100 poor
10 maintain them. Such a proposition
were as absurd as that Of the wood-saw-
yer who declared that ne did not have
time TO stop and sharpen his say
DR.. Curry also makes some timely re-
marks on tie necessity OF general in
specrion and supervision and visitation OF
the schools which he says, should be
made the duty OF an efficient ard re-
sponsibie State Superintendent and otner
expert :ccsi saperintendeats. Politics
an55 scotia .;a Ynse.,t - he adds sslo1,l be