The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-06

cost.s1 ,05o,346 81 $96l,s94 81 $ss,45l GO
1t will be observed that whilst among the
whites there was a loss of 43 schools. there
was a gam OF 541 pupils, which shows the
increasing spirit Of education among the
white people. The blacks lost 81 schools
and 3,271 pupils, which is a loss OF about 45
pupils for each school closed, or loss Of
pupils in ordinary proportion to the loss OF
schools. Here we have over 5000 children
remanded into Semi-barbariSm, who are
soon to take their places rs voters, and as
component parts OF the social organiza-
tion-a costly economy, and one OF the
earlier bitter fruits OF that spoIiation Of the
schools which will give us heavy crop this
year.
| Thestatistical tables and written reports
Of county. superintendent show that the
work of the year was conducted in the
usual orderly and systematic way, and with
increased economy, and that these officers
rendered a large amount OF service. VAL
liable always, they are now especially so in
preventing excesses, enforcing the law,
spreading information, advising bewildered
officers and people. encouraging supple
mentary contributions, and managing the
whole schooi-work so that the system sball
be kept in order, and the best use be made
OF funds that they have.
1t will be seen that the great bulk OF the
people are firm in their determination to
maintain the school system, and are greatly
dissatisfied at the present state Of affairs.
| There are. numerous matters Of detail on
| which / might remark, but these may he
waived for the present in order that space
may be allowed for the discussion OF those
more general topics which affect the exist
ence, or at least the efficiency, OF the system
| itself.
THE LOSS OF SCHOOL REVENUE AND '1Ts
| g.. CONSEQUENCES.
The diversion of school funds complained
Of in my last report has increased. Pre-
yiously we had lost at the rate OF about
$50, 900 annually, but last year over $3.50, 900
OF school money was used for other .pur-
poses, or about one half the proceeds OF
4 taxation for school purposes. The result,
of course, is breaking down OF the useful
| ness OF the school system. .-5
The Doctor is certain that no less than
81, LOO, ,0OO-probably much more-is due
the schools. ....'-.''.-
- 1t is idle to talk OF separate
| schools supported by the State specially for
| poor children. This idea is banished the
moment two things are recollected First,
the sparseness OF the Virginia population,
which requires all the children OF q neigh
| borhood in order to form 4 school; and
second. the American pride OF character
which would lead parents to accept igno-
| rance for their children rather than social
leprosy. Nor would such a plan be deSira-
! BILE If it were possible. ,-
Dr.. Rutiner discusses ut length the diver
sion of the school money, and ably presents
the views with which the public is already
familiar.
OUR DIFFICULTIES NOT GREAT.
All parties acknowledge the obligation to
set apart and apply to the support OF the
school system the funds designated by the
Constitution. The difficulty begins when
the State revenue proves to be insufficient
for three grand Objects-the maintenance OF
the Government, the support OF the schools,
and the payment OF interest OH the pubic
debt, particularly that part OF the DEBT
which was funded under the act OF 1871,
whose coupons are receivable for taxes.
Some persons, however, on moral grounds,
consider the entire debt as unit, and would
make equal provision for all classes OF bonds.
All agree that the Government must be main
tanned, and practically there is no difficulty
as to its support, for 1t takes whatever
money comes to hand. But when the mil
lion OF dollars necessary for this purpose is
subtracted from the annual revenue, the
remaining one million four hundred thou
sand, il all were taken, would not suffice to
pay the interest on the entire debt by scVe-
raj hundred thousand dollars, and, il con-
fined to the payment OF the taX-receiyabie'
coupons, would leave, and does leave, for
the school fund only about two hundred
thousand dollars out OF the five hundred
thousand annually due. These figures arc;
not Intended to be exact, but theyare an ap-
Proclamation to the facts as matters have
been heretofore.
Throwing out the unprotected part OF
the public debt, the account may thus be
roughly stated:
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
State income
Unavoidable annual liabilities
Of the State: 90
Tax.receirable conpons...$ 100000
Curl ent expenses. ....,....., l.000,0D0
',s ~, &e, 100000
Annual deacit. it......................$ -. 100000
The financial Yeports this winter Will