The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-09
TALKS WITH A " TIMES MAN.
Subjects that Interest Roanoke
People Most Largely.
Citizen Wants the Assessment Law
Changed-The Superintendent of
Schools Should Have More Money
The Hospital Movemcnt-It Ought Not
to Lag.

improvements.
IAN assessment of real estate values
for taxation once in every five years
may be often enough for some of the
slower going sections Of the State, but
1T is greatly to the disadvantage of
Southwest Virginia. This is the great
reason why Roanoke has not more pub
lie improvements. There should be a
assessment of real estate every two
years at least.
why don't you keep up your fight
for the Improvement of the public
schools?" said prominent Roanoller to
II TIMES man yesterday.
Il am glad to see that THE TIMES
takes a stand on all important issues.
and that it is always with tho interests
Of the people,
"Thcre are many things hero that
need reform, and like all now towns,
there is room for Improvement; but"
continued the speaker, "tho public
schools of the city are one of the first
things that should receive attention
when the work of improvement begins.
The finance committee of the City
Council says there is lack of funds.
but we expect to have the treasury re-
pleniShod after awhile, and ! want to
see this matter agitated.
The whole system needs being re-
organized. The present superintendent
is a lawyer and is paid so for his serv-
ices at the schools. lie visits them on
an average OF not more than twice a
month.
''Of course he earns his salary. but is
it not ridiculous for city of ~ 900 pco-
nln tn hu fhnn
a superintendent attention given TO
the public schools. What Roanoke
should do is to put a practical and pro
gressive man 1T the head OF the public
school system, and enough money be-
hind him to furnish school facilities to
every child of school age in tho city
This will be done, but the more it is
agitated the sooner"
~
What has become of that hospital
committee and its fund?" asked promi-
ncnt physician of the reporter. Surely
the philanthropic gentlemen who started
out with such fine prospects have not
forgotten their important trust im the
big real estate boom. but they really
do seem to be keeping mighty quiet
citizen as he stepped knee deep into
ditch at street crossing, and barlled
his shin against the curbing. IL wonder
when Roanoke will have first-class
Streets, he continued as he limpcd of
rubbing the bruisc and wearing an cx-
preston of agony.
One of the first things TIE TIMES
man about town saw when he went on
the streets yesterday was Mr.. Charles
II. Bush. IL popular sergeant of the Roa-
nokc Light Infantry, without his nous
tachc. His friends had hoped to see
him captain, but when they saw him
yesterday their hopes fed.
:tssx
I've don't want old croallcrs here
said Il progressive president of a big
land company to a group of wcll-drcsscd
were gathered about him. Roanoke is
the best town in the country. and, con
sidcring its age and proportions. well
up in the way of modern improvement IS.
We intend to have more and welcome
everybody who is willing to roll up his
sleeves and help make Roanoke the
eighth wonder OF the world"
::as
y group of Republicans were assem-
blcd in the sunshine on the side of n
large brick building on yesterday about
moon sympathiziRg with each other ever
the election news.
One of them was holding a Republican
paper, with the first page partly covered
with ROSTERS, that looked like cold
water had been thrown on them.
'Wcll, don't that beat the devil. Who
would have thought of Pattisons cleo
ton ?''
Two have the consolation" CON
tlnucd another, that we are out of
pennsylvania and in Roanoke, where
the growth and development of the
country has absorbed political excite
ment.'
The real estate agents here are very
enterprising, but they are not as eager
as they were few years ago said an
old real estate man. .'When the town
hrst began to grow he continued
they button-holed every visitor before
1c 'couh get of the train. They are
getting above this now. They can stay
IN their Offices, and keep busy selling
real estate.
4 bright young "tar heel" who re-
Gently came to Roanoke to make his
home, said to TIE TINES man. while
talking about Roanoke in general. "A
first class sewerage system will be worth
more to Roanoke than a real estate
boom that would last till Gabriel blows
his trumpet and the City Council never
took wiser step than the engaging of
Mr.. Rudolph Herring to prepare plans"