Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-25

son Tor II. and an attempt 10 hufhiiia'e
the Board by placing them subseryient
to another committee. Nothing could
be said against the present State School
Board. They were men Of known m
tegrity, and yet when they met at times
and asked for things needfnl for the
good Of the schools they would be told
that nothing could bepurchased without
a written order from the Council COM
mittee. Why the great demands for
enlargement Of the public schools !
Why this increase in school facilities!
The good management Of the schools
by the School Board had made the
rich and the poor want to enjoy the
benefits of the schools. The school
system of Richmond had become Co
lossus. and had wrung plaudits from
the hub of the world-Boston. The
committee knew comparatively no.
thing about the working Of the system.
lie could go into any department
of the city and save money, but he
would by so doing impair the efficiency
of the department. So in regard to the
schools. The School Board had to as
sumo the entire responsibility of the
schools, and yet they had to do what
no Council committee would submit
to-become subseryient tc another COM
mittee. Mr.. Williams then read the
law concerning school boards in or
der to show that his position was strict
ly in accordance with the law.
Mr.. Chaffin opposed Mr.. Williams's
ideas, and said that the Council had its
own responsibilities to assume. lie
said it would be calamity to change
the present system.
Mr.. Page said that the funds en-
trusted to the committee had been well
managed.
Mr.. Williams asked Mr.. Page to give
the statement of savings made by the
committee.
Mr.. Page made no direct reply to this
query.
Mr.. Page said there was no humilia-
ton in placing the School Board under
the committee. If Inundated, why did
they not resign:
Mr.. Dickerson supported the present
system Of disbursing the school fund.
Mr.. Glasgow said the main question
was whether the city would give this
amount to the schools. This was what
the people wanted to know, and in his
opinion all the discussion was just the
difference between tweedle dee and
twecdle DUN. He thought. however,
it was advisable TO have committee to
come before the Council in behalf Of the
schools. The discussion of the ques-
tion lasted for some time. during
which the opinion of Mr.. A. NJ. Kelley,
City Attorney, was read as apart Of the
remarks Of Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Kelley
expressed the opinion that there was
no doubt but the City Treasurer should
be the custodian Of school funds and
that they be drawn out by warrant of
the School Board, as the Board was
presumed TO be better acquainted with
the school system than any one else.
The vote on Mr.. Williams amend
ment resulted as follows:
AYEs.-Mr. Williams-1.
NoFs.-kIessrs. Adams, BarkSdalc, Cabell,
Chafiin. Crump. Dickerson, Glasgow, Page,
Powers, Robinson, Taylor, and Bass-l2.
HANDS AND CARTS.
When this item in the budget was
reached, Mr.. Chaflin wanted the whole
item of hands and carts, crushers and
rollers stricken out and the work done
by contract.
Mr.. Page thought the appropriation
ought to be made, and action could af-
terwsrd be taken.
Mr.. Powers agreed with Mr.. Page.
and the motion to strike out was lost.
OTHER APPROPRIATIONS.
The Board agreed to add to the list Of
appropriations s400 for the Eye and Ear
Infirmary and 5000 for the Spring-Street
Home.
COULD NOT EXCEPT.
a motion to except the retort men
at the gas-house from the operation Of
the resolution opposing any Increase in
salary was lost.
ABSENT IN NEW ORLEANS.
A communication from Mr.. Guy.
chairman of the Committee on Ordi-
nssces, stating that his committee was
very much embarrassed by the absence
Of f. A. Randolph, who was in New
Orleans, and who did not attend COM
mittee meetings, was read.
On motion of Mr.. Page the Chair was
requested to appoint committeeman
in place of Mr.. Randolph.
At $3.50 the Board adjomed.
The Death List.