Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-03
THE COMMON COUNCIL
DISCUSSING SCHOOL FUNDS.


J. Taylor Ellyson tpresident. and the
following members Messrs. Ammons,
Archer. Bahcn, Bowie, Bryan, Cabeli,
Campbell, Curtis, Cutchins. frisch-
korn, Griffith, Gum, Guy, Hargrove'
Hughes. King, Lewis, Parater, Pear
man, Phillips, Pizzini, Rankin, Red
ford, Riddell, Robinson, straus, and
Turpin.
The Clerk read the minutes, winch
were duly signed by President Ellyson.
FROM THE MAYOR.
The Clerk read the following from
the Mayor:
To the Honorable Members Of he CITY
CouRcii..-
Gentlemen,--I have the honor to
transmit for your action petition from
the Manchester Railway and Land-im-
provement Company, asking privileges
for street railway on certain streets
in this city.
The wisdom and policy Of such i'm
proyement will doubtless prove OF vast
convenience and benefit to the two
cities, and it would seem the duty OF
each city to grant the other all facilities
needed for trade and travel.
Your judgment will guide you cor
rectly to such restrictions in any grant
made this company as may be demand
ed by justice, and your spirit of pro-
gress will lead you to be as liberal as
consistent with duty.
At any rate, | trust it may suit your
convenience and pleasure to have a
speedy decision Of the matter.
Yours very respectfully,
W. c. CARRINGTON. Mayor.
Referred TO the Committee on Streets.
Another communication from the
Mayor announcing the resignation of
Messrs. p. II. Mayo and John H..
Gresham, members Of the Board of
Police Commissioners, and asking that
the vacancies be filled as early as prac-
ticabie, was read by the Clerk, and. on
motion Of Mr.. Pizzini. was referred to
the Board Of Public Interests.
ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.
On motion of Mr.. Pizzini. the rules
were suspended and the Council pro-
ceeded to consider the report of the FL
nance Committee making appropria-
tions for the year 1855, all Of which
has heretofore been published in the
Dispatch.
FOR TIE SCHOOLS.
When the item s59, credited to
the special contingent fund, was reached.
Mr.. Bowie moved that the words "spe-
cial contingent fund" be stricken out
and "City School Board" be substi-
tuted.
Mr.. Cabell at once opposed this mo-
ton. All appropriations made hither-
to, with the exception of this one, had
been placed under the control of a
legitimate committee Of the Council,
responsible TO the people. until some
time ago a change had been made,
and the money for schools had been also
placed in the hands of the School Com
mittee of the Council. The present
School Board were men to be trusted
with any amount of money, and incapa
bic of wrohg-doing, but they we're
State officers. The interest Of the
State might oppose the interest of this
city i'll the management Of the schools.
lie did not believe this would ever hap
pen, but the Council should be pains
taking in order to avoid snags. The
Courcil should see that the money was
properly spent. 1t was an accident
that the system was ever changed.
Principles, not men, should govern all
legislation. lie claimed that the pre-
sent system had resulted in great saving
TO the city.
Mr.. Bowie said he thought he voiced
the sentiment of the School Board when
he said that he did not, in making his
motion. wish to reflect upon the School
Committee. lie did not want to vote
$4,000 without specific reference. The
law was plain, that as matter of detail
when this money was voted. it was at
once under the regulation of the school
trustees Of the city Of Richmond. The
money was to be expended for school
purposes, and the Council should ap-
propriate it directly for this purpose,
without evasion. All the school build
ings were under the control of the
trustees. as was also the con-
duct and management Of the schools.
The delays occasioned by having to
hunt up the chairman of the Committee
OH Schools i'll order to make petty pur-
chaseS had worked injury to the schools,
and had been the main reason which
caused the Board of Trustees (com-
posed, as il was. Of one third Council
members) to claim what was clearly
their right under the law. in which
opinion he Was sustained by the City
Attorney.
Mr.. Bryan thought it was simply
common sense that the city should ex-
pend this money, having previously ap-
propriated it for school purposes.
Mr.. Ellyson (Mr. Pizzini in the chairJ
said the discussion seemed TO turn upon
the fact that the School Board was a
foreign institution. This was no more
the case than was the Board of Public
Interest. The School Board was directly
responsible to the Council. The ex-
pcnses of the schools had increased be-
cause the schools had grown in public
favor. The sale Of the States interests
in the Atlantic. Mississippi and Ohio
railroad had caused the State to make
greater appropriations.
The schools were jointly supported
by city and State legislation. Suppose
the State were TO refuse to give cent
to our schools unless under the super
vision Of a committee-why at least a
third of the schools would be closed,
as the State now gave one third toward
their support.
The Council could determine the
amount, and this amount, it was clear,
should be placed under the control OF
the School Board. In support of this
statement Mr.. Ellyson read the follow
ing letter from Hon. A. NJ. Kelley.