Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-03
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1886.
The Richmond Schools.

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though her taxpayers pay one-eighth
of al the taxes received into the State
Treasury. Think of the injustice of
saddling upon them in addition the cost
Of educating all the children in the
Commonwealth whose parents are able
10 send them hither for the purpose OF
receiving IN education. Richmond can
not discriminate against her colored
children If she desired to do so. And
vet, incredible though it may seem, 1t
is actually urged Is reason why she
should be made to educate children
from the country that she is already
compelled TO educate three thousand
negro children! The reason given for
breaking her down with new burthens
ID that she already has burthens to bear
which no other city in the Common
wealth could carry!
But it is said that the proposition is
to compel Richmond to educate only
the children Of non-residents who pay
taxes in this city. We have heretofore
asked how long the law would stand
after the candidates who desire to get
into the Legislature, or into Congress,
or into some Office Of honor or emolu-
ment, had opened upon it in full cry
on account of its discrimination against
the masses of the people? And can
any good reason be given for making
such q discrimination? The amount Of
property which the law now fixes as
che amount that taxes must be paid
upon in order to give its owner the
privilege Of educating his children at
the expense of this city is only fifteen
hundred dollars. The State school-tax
in the counties on that amount Of pro-
perty is one dollar and half year.
In this city it would be say three dol
lars. For this small sum the schools
of Richmond are to be thrown open to
al the children, white and black, in the
Commonwealth. More and worse A
proposition is pending to make Rich
mond educate the children of all non
resident parents who pay here tax Of
any amount! What is the difference
between paying nothing and paying a
dollar or two a year for such an educa-
ton IS our schools give?
The least meritorious of all the ex-
trapolitan applicants for admission into
the Richmond schools are the people
residing in her suburbs. These people
have only to come into the city in order
to secure for themselves gas, water,
culverts, and all the benefits of our
unsurpassed public schools. What
sort Of justice would there be in open
ing our schools to them? The Legisla-
ture will without q dissenting voice
agree that they shall come into Rich
mond whenever they desire so to do.
Besides, we suppose that every county
school in two miles Of the city would
be broken up If law were passed al
lowing suburban children to attend the
Richmond schools.
Let it not be forgotten that there are
many children whose parents reside
here who have up to this time been un-
able to gain admission into the public
schools. These children must be pro-
vided for before any children from the
country can rightfully be accommo-
dated.
We have confidence in the sense Of
justice of the members of the Legisla-
ture. They will not willingly wrong a
city to which the people of the whole
State owe as much as they do
to their capital. They will investigate
the subject for themselves, and do JUS
tics without fear, favor, or affection.