The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-07
MAI. VENABLE--THE LESSON OF
HIS LIFE.


He was every inch man ply sieally,
intellectually. morally. He came of a
family distinguished for brains and
probity. He was a brave Confederate
soldier. a member if We mistake not, of
Louisiana regiment. Returning to
North Carolina, he established a high
class preparatory school at Ashevllle If
he had established it as a young man and
continued it, the Venable school would
have ranked with Bingham's and Her
ners in the States history He had
many of the qualities Of the elder Bing-
ham.
Mr.. Venable has had no superior in
ress among North Carolina county SUI
perintendents-an office of the highest
Importance and the greatest usefulness.
When he was elected county superin-
tendent of the school of Buncombe coun-
ty. Maj Venable found that two things
were necessary: /. More money; 2. Bet
ter system. He began to study the
sources of income for the schools, and
found that over $4,000 belonging to the
school fund had been used for general
county purposes. At first when he lie
manded that the county refund this
money to the school fund, some of the
authorities were disposed to laugh. But
he had the resolution and will of Stone
wall jackson. Backed by progressive
county board, he pressed the just claim
until the county commissioners agreed
to pay it in annual installments of 81, 800
a year. The exact amount, with interest
and certain whiskey taxes unpaid in
1878 amounted to $9,93950. That
money was devoted to building. in con-
centrated districts, graded school houses.
He did not stop there. He requested the
county commissioners to unite with the
school board in making an examination
OF the books of the criminal court. One
thousand dollars was obtained from that
source for Buncombe schools Acting
with the progressive board of county
commissioners expert investigation added
over 100000 valuation of money, solvent
credits and other like property not reach
ed by the assessors in that county. Fol
lowing along these lines Of inquiry, Maj.
and fines for violation of the criminal
laws, which by section five of article
nine belongs to the school fund, had
gone into the city treasury of Ashevilie,
and used for city purposes. Suit was
brought to compel the city to refund this
money to the school fund and it became
a celebrated action. Maj. Venables con-
tcntion was upheld by the Superior Court
and affirmed by the Supreme Court
No man in North Carolina ever under
took harder tasks than these above
enumerated. No man without craw
full of grit, indefatigable industry, and
ability would have undertaken this work,
which called for a contest and a con-
tinuous fight for more than three years.
Maj. Venable entered this fight, too, at
the age of seventy, when the physical
force of most men calls them from active
efforts. He had robustness of body as
well as robustness of intellect and the
fire of the youth. 1t was these qualities
that enabled him to secure for the
schools of his county money that hther-
to under lax management had gone into
other channels. His fight in Buncombe
will not only add to the school fund of
Buncombe county, but its good results
will bless every school in the State for
all time.
Maj Venable was not less resourceful
and progressive in making better schools.
He built better school houses, he Sc
cured better teachers, he adopted new
and better methods, he established rural
graded schools, built houses in concen-
big summer schools, and in other ways
put new life into the public school sys-
tenn. He was the author of the plan
known as the duplicate system" He
was a very genius for progress and set
the pace for his youngest teachers in
aboundant labors.
Think of it! All these public services
were rendered by an old ex-Confederate
soldier, who had devoted most of his life
to teaching boys, after he had reached
three score and ten years. What an
example of the robust and useful old man
his latter years must be to every old
man, thinking of retiring from active
labors! He died in the harness. noble
type of the best Southern civilization,
| and an old-time pedagogue worthy to
| rank with the best headmasters of Rug
| by.
The lesson of his life is that men, who
would serve their fellows must not seek
an easy berth in their last days, but must
| tI,o