Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-06
Free Hooks for Public Schools.

Under existing law the district
boards Of school trustees for the cOun-
ties are allowed to purchase books for
the children Of INDECENT persons ont OF
district school funds. Now, it occurs
10 me that if the General Assembly
will pass a law amending this section
and allow the boards to furnish free
books to the children OF any parent
who will make application, declaring
on oath that he or she Is unable to buy
the necessary books for them the same
to be paid for out Of any district school
fund under the control Of the boards
not needed for district school purposes,
the said boards to use discretion as to
who are most needy, it will be a prac-
teal solution Of this free-book question
until the time comes when we can do
more with it.
There would be in this no increase
of taxes except such as is incidental
under existing Law, and | am satisfied
that inasmuch as the district school eX-
penses are decreasing, as new school
houses are being completed and pad
for, that the funds now raised by the
boards will be sufficient to meet every
demand that will be made for books.
An act Of this sort will amply fulfil
The promises Of the Conventions to fur
nish free books. have seen no one
Of any party who did not ridicule the
idea Of increasing the taxes 70 bay
books for the schools. If we hll
plethoric Treasury, with no " cut
worms warming into renewed activity
under late decisions, even then it would
be a difficult problem as to how this
could be done in the way to avoid
reckless extravaganza and fraud in the
purchasing and distribution OF free
books. 1t would take time and care
and great wisdom to start and carry
out the innovation in It's details.
But to discuss the propriety OF attempt
ing it under existing circumstances IS
a waste Of words. The reply is made,
and often, that both parties promised
it; and so both parties promised that
there should be no increase of taxes.
This is not the first time that things
have been written in the book Of reSo-
lutions that could not be recorded in
the book Of acts nor did either party
intend to perpetrate paradox.
What was intended: COnstrue their
utterances, if there is doubt, as you
would a legislative act-by the intent
of the makers.
The idea had fastened itself upon the
public mind that under the " Blair
bill " a large amount Of money would
be under the control Of the State for
school purposes. 1t was in connection
with this idea that the promise Of free
books was made, or that books would
be furnished to an extent within the
revenues collected under the existing
law. If this was not intended, nothing
was intended. We all hope to see the
time in the near future when education
shall be a. free to all in this as in other
respects. But we must meet the
inevitable now. In the mean time the
enlargement Of the powers of the dis
trict boards to furnish persons who are
most needy tout of funds under their
contrOD would meet the public demand.
] have been a school trustee for
many years. and in that time have
found very few persons in my district
who were willing to accept free books,
In some instances when they were
offered they have been Indignantly re-
fused.
1t is contended that we cannot 90 to
the people for their support without
some provision. If this is so law
such as is indicated above will be suiH-
cient.
We can't tell them that we have in
creased their taxes and expect their
approval. But we will tell them that
the only provision possible without
such increase has been made.
!. II. G.
WILCOX WHARF. CHARLES CITY
COUNTY, February 81, 1856.