The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-15
PETERSBURG.


c010RED TzAclrERs. No nm xxPLorRD TN
coL0RED SCHOOLS WHEN THERE ARE VA
CANCIEs-AN OLD TRADITION EXPLODED
READJUsTER MEETING IN PRINCE GEORGE
WORK COMMENCED ON A NEW RAILROAD.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
July II, 1882.
The action OF the School Board on We'd
nesday evening in the matter OF appointing
colored teachers was not altogether uneX-
pected. There was q strong sentiment in
this community and among the members Of
the Board against turning out tried old
white teachers OF colored schools and re-
placing them with colOred teachers. The
former have worked diligently in teaching
their colOred pupils, and it is but fair TO
presume that, being an intelligent body as
a whole, they have worked with success.
Besides this these white teachers are de-
pendent, in large degree, upon the posi-
ti0ns which they hold for their daily bread
The petition praying the appointment Of
colored teachers was presented by A. W.
Harris (colored), former member OF the
Legislature. Harris made speech IN adj
vocacy OF the petition, and presented his
side Of the question with fair ability. But
the man who attempts to demonstrate in n
few minutes speech that white teachers
because they are not colored cannot de-
velop the full moral and intellectual nature
Of the negro must have more than average
ability.
There has been pleasant belief among
the antiquarians OF our city that in some
OF the churches here was the bell which
Charles III. had bestowed upon his "right
tr,lsty and well-beloyed subjects" the first
settlers OF Jamestown. This belief was
rather strengthened by the publication, n
few days since, Of an extract from letter
written in 1923, in which The statement
was made that the bell had been hung in
the tower OF old st. Johns until the pur
chase by the city OF the site upon yshich
that church stood. il was furthermore
stated that the bell had been transferred ut
that time to st. Pauis church. and subse.
Quently from this latter to Grace church,
where it was thought il still remained. To
possess the oldest bell in America, and
bell which had been given by 50 illus
trious parsonage, was indeed
subject OF great pride TO Us. But
to-day 4 letter is published which sounds
the knell OF our proud hopes and crushes
enthusiastic antiquarians most sadly. Our
city has no bell given by Charles III. The
bell itself was sent number OF years ago
to some foundry, where it was probably
melted and its identity entirely lost. OF
the whereabouts OF the melted bell none
can speak with certainty, and that plume
in our historical cap. has been ruthlcssly
plucked out.
The Readjusters of Prince George adopt
ed resolutions mt their meeting on Thurs
day which are highly damnatory OF Massey
and cOmmendatory in proportion OF John
S. Wise. The wrath Of the trainers OF
those resolutions must have been exceed
ing great; and Massey must be sadly
squelched by the comparison which they
institute between him and Julian the Apos-
tate. Fancy the cheers which must have
applauded this comparison, the only one
which has not as yet become withered and
stale. The Prince George meeting was not
altogether devoid OF effect; for it accom-
plished the magnificent result OF suggest
ing another historical parsonage to whom
the Parson might be compared. The latter
gentleman, however, will poll q good vote
in this section; for the sentiment is "any-
thing to beat Mahone."
A charter was obtained some months
since for a railroad with termini ut Mar
garettsvile, n. c., and IIicksford, on the
Petersburg and Weldon railroad. 1t is
now stated that the grading OF the road
bed has been commenced, and will be push
ed forward us rapidly rs possible. This
road will open up fine section OF country
abounding in timber OF excellent quality.
Margarettesvillc Is in Northampton county,
on the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad, and
is situated on the Mcherrin river. 1t Is in
a fine cotton country, the people OF which
are In quite prosperous condition.