The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-19
The Schools.


The Schools.
That resolution OF the Democratic creed
formulated at Lynchburg which pledges
the Democratic party, II successful next
fall. to the policy OF providing by law Tor
negro trustees and teachers for negro
schools and white trustees and teachers Tor
white schools. is day by day gaining favor
with the public II we may Judge from tue
articles on the subject which have
appeared In our State exchanges.
That resolution was rendered neces-
ssry by the fact that CAMERON, FAIR,
and BLAIR had appointed in this city negro
trustees to supervise white schools
and elect white teachers. IL the color line
has been drawn recollect that 1t was drawn
by the State Board OF Education OF the Co
alition party or, as the call for State
Convention OF the Democratic party phrased
IL. by ga malign influence" The peculiar
features of the resolution In question ORR
cinated in Rockingham county in meeting
in which Hon. JOIN 7. HARRIS, DR.. S. II.
MofFETT, Judge JOHN I. OFERRALL, and
number of other experienced politicians
took Fart, and the resolution itself was nc
doubt commended to the favor oil Tho
Lynchburg Committee on Resolutions by
that fact. The resolution in its original
form reads as follows:
4. That we express the sentiment oil
every Democrat when we declare, as we
now do, our determined opposition to
MIXED schools. We believe that the efii-
cheney O; the system and the interests OF
both races demand separate schools for the
raceS-tnc State fostering each alike. and
giving to each its full share OF all moneys
levied or raised for educational purposes,
and that we favor white trustees and white
teachers for white schools, colored trustees
and colcTed teachers for colored schools.
and the enactment Of all Necessary laws to
that end.
II that is drawing the color line, then it
is drawing il in such way that every
voter in the Commonwealth, white or black,
ought to be willing to be party to the act
The question OF the constitutional power
Of the General Assembly to pass such laws
a. the above resolution calls for has been
raised. II the Constitution does not allow
such legislation, the natura; and only
remedy would be TO make 10 that instru-
ment an amendment which would allow it.
But the Rockingham resolution and the
Lynchburg resolution both assume that
the Legislature already has the power.
The Committee on the Platform OF the
Lynchburg Convention was in ses-
sion until 10 O'Clock at night. They
went over the resolutions again and
again. and considered every objection
which could be made and every point which
could be raised either for or against any
one OF the resolutions. Upon that CON-
mittee were twenty-Seven good men-a
number OF them distinguished lawyers.
Were they guilty OF the gross carelessness
OF pledging themselves to unconstitutional
legisla,ions Did they adopt so important
a resolution-one so far-reaching in its
Recommendation even consulting the
Constitution Let us see:
Article VII, section 3, provides for the
election OF school trustees in the several
macisterial districts Of the various coun-
ties. The very next section [4] provides as
follows:
"NOthing in this article shall be con-
stiqled as prohibiting the General Assem-
bly, from providing by law for any addi-
tional officers in any city or county,"
This language necessarily applies to
school officers as well as others. The Cen
eral Assembly can provide by law for adj
ditional school officers, II it be found ne
cessary TO do so.
But how as to the duties of these addi-
tional officers? Does the Constitution
limit the powers OF the General Assembly
in this respect? No. On the contrary,
whilst Article VII, section 3, as we have
said. provides for the election OF school
trustees but says nothing as 10 their duties,
Article VIII, section II, gives the Legis-
lature plenary power in the premises. 1t
says:
"The General Assembly shall fix the
salaries and prescribe the duties OF all
school officers"
"An school officers" is q sweeping
phrase. Ii leaves no room for cayil.