Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-08-14

| We are indebted to DR.. John L. Buchanan,
copy of his report for the school year ending
July 81, 1888. The report shows the public
schools of the Commonwealth to be flourish
| ing and to be doing work more useful and
extensive than ever before. Instead of the
| schools decreasing in efficiency. as it was pre-
dlcted by Republicans that they would de-
crease under Democratic rule, they are more
numerous and furnish education to more pu :
pits and employment to more teachers than
ever before. The number of schools, school,
houses, pupils and teachers has steadily in
creased year by year. The Democrats have
controlled the Legislature-the appropriatlng
power of the Government-for the last six
years, and during that time the cause of pub
lie education in this State has continued to
advance. The year 1884 was the last in while h
the schools were supported by appropriations
granted by Republican Leg is1ature. The
Democratic Legislature of 1888 'Si made the
appropriation for the support of the schools in
1885. and Democratic Legisatu res in like man.
mel have made the appropriations for the
schools in 1886 and 1887 and 1888. To the end
of the last named school year this report car
Iies us. Let US now compare the Republican
year 1884 With the four succeeding Democrat
10 years-1SS5, 1886. 1857. and 1888.
The number of schools opened in 1854 was:
White. AIT; coIored, 1873. Total, $780, On
the other hand, the number opened In 1855
was: White, 4.G5S; colored. 1917. Total, G.575
The number opened in 1886 was: White, 1872;
colored. 1881. Total. 6.763 The number open
ed In 1887 war; White, 5,O47 colored. 1908 -
Total, 7,l40. The number opened in 1885 was:
White, 5,l54; oolored, 2ll5. Total, 1863. The
total increase In the schools since the respon-
sibility of their support was laid on the DEM
ocratic party has been: White, ST.; colored.
2i2. Total, 9i9. These official statistics utterly
refute the charge that the Democratic party
does not foster and encourage public educa-
ton.
But let Us see how the schools have prosper
ed in other respects under Democratic rule
In 1884 there were 4,7S5.white teachers. In Is
IS 5,S73. Increase. 500. In 1884 there were 1883
colored teachers. In 1888 there were 500. Ia
crease 32I. Total increase, oil. In 1854 the
number of pupils enrolled was as follows;-
White, 1874 ,720; colored, 103 80 Total amber.
2SS, O3O. In 1888 the number Of pupils was
follows. White. 2l1, 449; colored 1881. Total
number, $50, $50. White increase. 26,729; color
ed Increase, 1851. Total increase, 42,250. In
1884 the number of school houses owned by
districts was $3.50. In 1888 it was 4.57O. In
crease, 900. The value of chool property own
ed by districts was. in 1884, 1852, 4s4S2. In lS-
IS it was S2,ll7,603 Increase in value, $685.
l6S Is The amount applied to public schools
for general expenses was as follows: In 1884. 81
72,62i99 In 1885, 81 55S. 1920. Increase. $685.
727.7l, For this the State has all the addition
al schools. school houses. teachers. and enroll
ed pupils which have been enumerated above.
The number of school-houses built during
the year is three hundred and nine, and the
whole amount invested in permanent inns
provements is Sl69, 1908. There are more
schools open, more school houses in use, more
teachers employed, and more pupils in attend
ance than ever before since the system was
established in Richmond State.