The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-04
Publfc-SehooI Fund.
IiFor the Dlspatch.l

While the money-queStlon ana Tue pubic
debt OF our State are subjects receiving
discussion within our borders TO such an
extent az to give quiet man the nausea,
there is another question which is not lost
sight OF by the people, but which, from Its
importance, is receiving much thought ana
comment. l refer to the pu5lic-schooifund.
That the Constitution OF the. State OF Plr-
ginia expressly sets aside a fund for the ex-
elusive useof the public-school system there
can be, no. question a5hateUeT. That inns
fund has to very great extent been per-
vertcd from its proper channel there can be
20. question whatever. That such per-
version has done, is doing, and is
likely to do, great aud serious damage
to this system is equally seif-evident.
These plain .facts-so generally known.
very naturally awaken the lovers OF
our public-sehool system to inquiry
into the causes OF this peryersion-
as to uhere The, monev acent, by what au-
thority it /" went" and when it is likely Tor
whether likely at ally to be replaced. Eleven
hundred thousand dollars Of this money, l
believe, has gone someachere; and when we
see the State Tor the Governor thereby pro-
noses negotiating a loan from tue banks of
the pitiful comparatively speaking) sum OF
SZUU,UUU-utaily CfCis XIV Va "oiSH w ~
be required to pay up the a'TedrageS due
the teachers for the past yedr-the people
feel another impetus to their demand as
to why this fund should have been
thus perverted. Think Of it! The
State treasury due the school fund ST, 1O0,-
900, and having to apply to the banks for a
loan of 100000, which amount, it IS said,
will be exhausted in paying arrearages for
last YEAR Thus it is evident that something
is wrong, for if the money property and
justty belonging to the fund was in place
these arrearages would have been paid long
AGO for rather there would have been no
arrearages), aud there would have been an
abundance OF money to carry, out the sys-
tenn properly and Systematically. ~ ,.
Now for few practical remarks as to the
effect these causes produce. Education is
the very bulwark and safeguard OF every
country. It is Supremety necessary. All
admit it. Our Constitution very plainly
shows it. Some may say our system OF pub
lie education is not a good one. ask, now
or where will you find better? 1t is the
best system educed from practical ohserva-
ton OF every other system Of the kind by
practical, sensible men. There is no sys-
sem OF anything anywhere entirely free
from error-pelfect. Perfection in any
thing does not seem to be within the scope
of mans vision. But il you would know
whether our public-scbool system is ad-
mired-if you would know whether it is
loved by the people OF this old Common
wealth or not, and whether they wish it
sustained or not-ask the people, through
their representatives or their papers, and
YOU will see. clearly that they love it and
wish it sustained at all hazards. But ho1c
can ii be sustained If the funds thereof
are perverted? / answer, it is utterly
IMPOSSIBLE Why, don't we see every
day nearly that teachers are refusing
to reenter upon their duties with such
poor prospects of remuneration for their
services, when they are due for past
services? VIII they, can they, be en-
pected to again engage their time and at
tention with such poor prospect OF pay?
Suppose Governor Holiday succeeds in
getting the 100000, which will enable the
teachers to be paid their arrearages, will
they be willing to resume their duties With
the prospect of having 10 again wait an in
definite time for their money, which Is
rightly due them at the expiration Of each
scholastic month? Some may possibly do
so, but trow they will be exceeding g few
and far between" Teachers have TO LUe.
Many OF them are dependent upon their
salary, as they have no time for other
work, and certificates for money due Ey
the school fund won't pass at anything
near par, Gerry often, at least; while those
teachers who are willing to "go it blind"
are, / hear, in a majority OF cases, not such
men as the people would prefer teaching
their children !; I mean in regard to compe-
tency.
To procure the services OF competent
teachers. to keep the system properly con-
Quoted so that it may be conducive OF great
good, it is superiatively necessary and ur-
gent that the funds properly belonging to
the system should not be perverted for any
cause, under any circumstances. Then. con-
tidence can be reposed in the system, and
the people have their rights. Admit the.
money was iudiciously expended by the
State-that it needed it-yet ] know
of nothing that could possibly justify.
such perversion as the fund has eX-
perienced at the hands OF the State.
This fund is as sacred as any other fund;
more so-it is afund set aside by the Con-
stitution itself for educational purposes.
There is no Justice or right I'm its being
taken for0ther purposes when thereby the
cause of education in our State is, so seri-
ously. impaired. IT is a robbery by the State !,
and one which the, children Especially the
poor of the present generation will rise up
and condemn ia future years. Talk about
and make 1t asfrepulsiye as you
please, but Is 1T much worse-is it any
worse-than this unlawful peryersion OF
the money belonging to tie children Of the
State? Are not their rights repudiated,
and shall this debt, honestly due them, be,
These are serious questions.
The people are alive TO asense OF their In
terests and their rights. Somebody is to
blame, and that most seriously. This money
Ii paid by the people. They demand the
receipt OF the benefit for which 1t is paid.
They demand their rights. II 9. {; g... j!
This may appear arrival matter to many.
Many again do not appreciate the situation.
But T. tell You it is a very serious matter.
when we come to contemp plate it in its full
ness and reality. II involves much. The
rights OF the tax-payins people are being
brampJed upon, and Just where they are
most sensitive. They demand their rights.
And, in, conclusion. let me, say that this
large deficit should be paid, aud that Just
as soon as f,ossibi and that every precall,1
lion: be taken that 70 repetiti ton OF "a thing
50 extremely repulsiYs 60 the people OF this
sid COMMUNICABLE never more blacken a
pasH OF the history of her ifair name
LOUISA, a.; October 3,