The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-18
THE SCHO0LMEN.
POLITICAL TALK YESTERDAY.

the Law 60 Prevent schooImen Meddling
In Politics.
The Conference retissembled In the
h all Of the House OF Delegates yesterday
morning at III O'Clock. The proceedings
were opened with prayer by Rev. w. b.
McGilvray and Rev. DR.. George w. Dame,
Of Danville.
Hon. J. L. NJ. Curry was introduced to
the audience. His subject was "The In
portance Of Normal Training for Teach
ers."
THE FARMvILLB SCHOOL.
DR.. Curry was followed by Professor
Harris, OF Richmond C,lIege, whose sub
iect was the Female Normal School at
| Farmville."
When Professor Harris concluded Super
intendent Funkhouser, OF Rockingham,
offered the following
RESOLVED, That while this Conference
fully appreciates the vital importance OF
normal schools for teachers, and recog-
nizes them as an integral part OF our free
school system, yet we deplore the fact that
our authorities have made sex n condition
OF admission to the privileges OF the Farm.
vile State Normal School, thereby ex-
cluding large proportion OF the teachers
OF the State from State normal training.
The resolution was referred to the pro-
per committee.
DID NOT LIKE THE LEGISLATION.
Mr.. Mcdonald submitted the following
resolution. which he prefaced with O speech
marked with political bias, great nervous
excitement, and suitable for being heard at
political convention:
| Whereas the Legislature at its last ses-
sion enacted law to prohibit the active
participation in politics by certain officers
under the State Government among
which officers are included all superin-
tendents OF schools and whereas the viola
tion OF this law is made crime, subject
ing the offending person to indictment and
making him liable TO fine OF from $50 to
$500, and forfeiture Of his office; and
whereas this law casts upon us the impu-
tation OF being turbulent political aglta-
tors, whom it is necessary to repress for
the good OF the State; and whereas this
law is evidently intended to abridge and
curtail our privileges as citizens, and TO
deprive us OF the right OF free speech-a
right dear TO every citzen-therefor be it
ReSOlUed, BY the Superintendents OF
Schools OF the State Of Virginia, in Confer
euce assembled:
/. That we Indignantly repel the foul
imputation cast upon us by this law and
that we protest to the words that we are
not now and never have been disturbers OF
the public peace, but that we sincerely de-
sire and are earnestly laboring for the best
interests of the people OF the State.
.. That we regard with alarm this at
tempt to deprive us Of our rights as citi-
Zens, and that we insist that in becoming
superintendent OF schools we do moi
cease TO be citizens in good and regular
standing, and that we are still entitled, OF
right, to all the privileges which are by ouT
laws and Constitution conferred upon any
and every citizen OF the State.
3. That we deem it right and proper here
to enter and record our most earnest and
solemn protest against this proscriptiyt
legislation.
Dr. Curry asked if he could vote. lie
did not want to vote. He did not want tC
vote because he did not know that the arti
Gle read was the law.
Mr.. Mcdonald "Here is the law ,
l(handng to the clerk newspaper clip
ping).
II don't know whether 1t is or not, mol
do you," said DIR. Curry.
DR. Curry said he thought it slightly II
bad taste for the gentleman to make vim
dictive attack upon the law in an eloquen
speech and then ask as personal fayol
that no one answer him. ["You are righ
about that" said member.] DR.. Curry
said he was out OF politics. There was no
an Office in the State that he would have
for million OF dollars, even il every man
woman, and child were TO vote for him
He only voted, and he had never made
q political speech in Virginia or
party appeal. He had discussed ,
question OF morality, and he would no
even call ii by name. He had consecrateC
= his life to the cause OF education, and Goo
> helping HIM he would devote his life to tht
education OF the youth OF this country, ir
respective OF color or condition. He re
garded this as the highest honor mar
could possess. He had addressed NOR,
Legislatures than any other living man
and he had scrupulously and conscientious
ly abstained from utterlng one word tha
could be construed into party preference
or denominational or race influence, anC
therefore, as the representative OF the Pea
body fund, he could not be expected Il
vote for anything that could be construed
into partisan feeling. He believed that tht
efficiency of the school system should b,
divorced from politics. 1t was a subiec
upou which there should be no party aflili
alton OF feeling. He was q democrat, no
In the party sense. He loved the rights o
the people against royalty or favored
classes. He would lay down his life fol
what Chief-Justice Chase called an ain
dissoluble Union,' but ahead OF him were
dark shadows, caused by ignorance ant
} illiteracy. He could see clearly only on'
place for his feet. Christianity and edu
cation must save us; If not, this coun
TRY would have q fate worse than th(
horrors and devastation and ruin o.
1.-THE French Revolution. Let us labol
for the success OF the republic an(
the perpetuity OF our institutions. he
would not express any opinion ab0u
the resolutions, but as the representative o.
| q great trust gwen by northern man (th'
first act OF cheer and benelcence that came
to the relief OF the stricken and bleeding
South after the late war; he must be pre-
vented from voting OF giving any expires
sion TO a sentiment which by any possible
means could be made party shibboletf
for the future. He intended to keep hi
skirts clear from anything OF the sort.
| DIR. Curry's speech was brilliant, elo
ouent. aud SO sensible as to draw The
strictest attention.
MIR. Barksdale, OF Halifax, regretted tha
the resolutions had been introduced. The
law had been passed, and they could no
change IL. They could only say whether
they fixed IL or not. He did not think ht
had a right 10 raise q question involving
politics. He hoped the gentleman would
excuse all from voting, or Withdraw the
resolutions. a
Mr.. Slaughter said he in his oath had
sworn to support the laws OF Virginia
He therefore could not vote for the resolu' u