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Staunton Spectator: February , 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The School System
(Column 01)

Summary: The Norfolk Virginian criticized the Underwood Convention's plan for public schooling as compared to the educational system in the Northeast. Claimed that differences in population density make this system unsuitable for the more rural populations of the South.

Full Text of Article:

In nothing, says the Norfolk Virginian, has the folly and incompetency of the Underwood Convention been more clearly shown than in the attempt to introduce into a sparsely populated and comparatively unsettled country, the county organization and educational systems as they exist in the densely peopled and teeming communities of the Northern and Eastern States. There these methods have gradually been introduced, subject to such changes and modifications as the increasing wealth and population from time to time suggested, until they have attained their present proportions and development. In such a community, and with such a population, it is not to be denied that the educational facilities are such as to enable the citizens to educate their children in an economical, if not a thorough manner; but to transplant the system here, and expect its machinery to work with the same efficiency and smoothness, argues both ignorance and folly. There all the people are taxed equally to defray the expenses incident to the plan; here the burthens will fall with ruinous weight upon a few; there the school districts are small and compact, each containing, however, a sufficient number of inhabitants to fill the school houses with a sufficient number of pupils to give employment to the teacher, and secure the dissemination of the rudiments at least of an education to the masses of the people; here the introduction of the plan will cause one of two results: either the school districts will be so large that the distance will deter half the pupils from attending, or the State will be dotted over with empty school houses, and the people be taxed to death for the construction of the buildings and the salaries of the teachers, when half a dozen children, on an average, will receive the benefits of the so-called education, and the whole thing will be a farce.

Virginia Politics
(Column 01)

Summary: The editors of the Spectator agree with the Richmond Whig that Virginia politics should remain nonpartisan; instead focusing on electing honorable men and passing just laws. Party divisions would merely divide the people over unimportant issues.

Full Text of Article:

With the Richmond Whig, we think that the election of good, honest, capable men to office, the passage of wise, wholesome, and constitutional laws, and the care of our industrial affairs and of our works of internal improvement, should for the present constitute the politics of Virginia. We have more to fear from a heated, bitter and premature political contest than from any other cause. It would be a contest between divisions of our own people over mere shadows, when we should all be united and harmonious in fostering common and solid interests. It ought to be the wish of every good citizen of Virginia, native and adopted, white and black, to place her once more on the high road to prosperity, and influence. Party divisions will come soon enough without our attempting to force them prematurely.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Baltimore Statesman predicted a Democratic victory in the next Presidential election, so long as the Conservatives unite and act as a unit. Also cautioned the South to exercise prudence and moderation until the election.

Full Text of Article:

In an article on the probable political results of reconstruction, the Baltimore Statesman says: "We discern victory in the next Presidential election plainly within our grasp, upon the consideration that the Democrats and Conservatives of the whole country, the South included, act as a unit, cast overboard obsolete issues and obsolete men, and go before the people on living practical questions, such as involves the preservation of good faith and the revival of all our great interests.

In the meantime, and as an essential preliminary to a successful effort for the redemption of the Republic, we earnestly hope that the South will continue to exercise the greatest prudence and moderation in its most trying and critical circumstances. The hour is big with the future fate not alone of the South, but of the whole country."

The Virginia Bible Society
(Column 02)

Summary: Explained the purpose of the Virginia Bible Society, and how people can become members.

Full Text of Article:

The object of this society, though generally known, it may be well to state, is the distribution of Bibles and Testaments to the poor in our own State, and to the heathen. Owing to the impoverishment incident to the late war, the spiritual care of our own State, however, has more than required all the resources of the organization. Persons of every religious creed or denomination may become members of this society upon paying $2 annually; the payment, however, of $30 in advance, will, without any further contribution, constitute a person a member for life. None of its officers receive pecuniary compensation.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The ladies of the Episcopal Church will hold a fair in Union Hall. The proceeds will help pay the debt incurred in erecting an iron fence around the church yard.

Staunton Library Association
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Library Association asked citizens to contribute to the Library. In exchange, they will be allowed to check out volumes from the growing collections of the library.

Full Text of Article:

We publish below a letter issued to our citizens by the Library Association. We are glad to know its prospects of success are very flattering, and we hope so laudable and advantageous an enterprise will meet with encouragement from all.

Staunton, Va., Feb. 19th, 1870.

SIR: -- It is sought to create a Circulating Library in this place, which it is believed will be of great advantage to the community. Few of us can afford to supply ourselves with large private collections of books, but by the establishment of a well-selected Circulating Library every person, in return for a small annual contribution, may have consant access to a large and valuable collection, which will be rendered every year more and more complete. Our effort has so far succeeded that we have already opened a Library containing over a hundred volumes, which we hope you will assist us by your subscription to increase, until finally a Library will be established which will be a permanent institution -- a credit to our town and an unfailing source of improvement to our people.

The terms of annual subscription have been sized at $3.50, of which only two dollars thus far have been required. If one person in each household will subscribe, the members thereof will have the use of one or two volumes a week from the Library.

The benefit of your contribution and example is solicited. If the majority of the families of the town will aid this scheme by one year's subscription, its success will undoubtedly be secured.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Of the Staunton Library Association.

Carry Me Back to Old Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: The article reported that a number of African-Americans who emigrated to work on farms and railroads farther south now wish to return to Virginia. "It is the experience, we believe, of whites and blacks alike, who emigrate from Virginia, with the hope of bettering their fortunes, that they had better remained at home."

Origin of Article: Lynch. Republican

For the Spectator
(Column 03)

Summary: Account of a meeting in Moscow to thank the supporters of the Valley Railroad and urge continued work to get the road built.
(Names in announcement: Maj. J. M. McCue, Thomas E. Hogsett, James A. Hamrick, Col. M. G. Harman, H. W. Sheffey, Capt. T. N. Clarke, C. Kinney, F. Gilkeson, F. V. Vincent, Samuel Forrer, Capt. P. Herring, Capt. John A. HerringJr., E. M. Bell, J. Givens Fulton)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: J. L. Timberlake and Miss Mary Ellen Humphreys, both of Staunton, were married at the residence of S. N. Bagby on February 15th by the Rev. Mr. Williams.
(Names in announcement: J. L. Timberlake, Mary Ellen Humphreys, S. N. Bagby, Rev. Williams)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Napoleon J. Drumheller and Miss Pennina E. Gollady, both of Augusta, were married near Cline's Mill on February 17th by the Rev. A. A. P. Neel.
(Names in announcement: Napoleon J. Drumheller, Pennina E. Gollady, Rev. A. A. P. Neel)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Martin B. Grove of Augusta and Miss Sallie A. Miller, daughter of the late Joseph Miller of Rockingham, were married in Harrisonburg on February 10th by the Rev. G. W. Holland.
(Names in announcement: Martin B. Grove, Sallie A. Miller, Joseph Miller, Rev. G. W. Holland)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Alice Jefferson Whitmer, daughter of Daniel A. and Lizzie J. Whitmer, died of pneumonia in Long Glade on February 12th. She was 1 year old.
(Names in announcement: Alice Jefferson Whitmer, Daniel A. Whitmer, Lizzie J. Whitmer)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: James Emory Shaver, son of Andrew and Elizabeth E. Shaver, died of pneumonia at Cline's Mill on February 16th. He was 5 years old.
(Names in announcement: James Emory Shaver, Andrew Shaver, Elizabeth E. Shaver)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth Fuller died at the residence of Mr. John S. Ellis on February 14th. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Fuller, John S. Ellis)