Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-03
THE LOCATION OF CENTRAL SCHOOL
The Committee In q Perplexing Situation
as to the Selection of n site.


as to the selection of site.
The situation that now menaces the City
School Board and the Council Committees
on Schools and Finance in regard to the
selection of site for the Central School is
rather perplexing, and the subcommittee
appointed to decide upon lot are IN the
same position that they were month ago.
When the Council decided to donate the
JEFF. Davis mansion to the ladies to be
used as a museum the resolution adopted
included q provision to purchase new
site for the Central School, and the Com
mittees on Schools and Finance were in
structed to purchase lot, the cost not to
exceed $4,000, which amount was appro-
priated for this purpose. AT the meeting
of the Joint committee subcommittee
consisting of Colonel John B. Cary CHAIR
mani. Mr.. Haigrove Chairman of the FL
nance Committee), and Major Capers was
appointed to select site and vested with
power to act.
LOOKING FOR SITES.
This body spent great deal of time in
looking into the matter, aud many sites
were examined and their advantages and
disadvantages discussed. Among these
were the old Marshall lot. the Lancaster
lot, the Mcdowell lot, the Neeson lot, the
Crump place, the Tabb lot, the Grant
pldtt Wtiitu otiCCts Obh't oAN''
considered to be suitable. The sub-com-
mittee were confronted with obstacles IN
nearly every instance, a lot being too
small. too high-priced, or undesirable
from other points OF view.
The School Board expressed preference
for the GRAFT property, on Twelfth street,
but the price asked there was above tho
amount appropriated.
COLONEL CARY STONED THE AGREEMENT.
subsequently, Colonel Cary and Mr.. Hor-
grove visited the Mcdowell premises. No.
zoos Clay street, and agreed to offer $4,000
in city bonds for the place. This was ac-
cepted, and Mr. John +. Goddin, trustee
OF the estate, met Colonel Cary on the
street afterwards and asked him to sign an
agreement for the purchase OF the proper
ty, which the chairman OF the committee
did. leaving space for the names of the
other members of that body. This paper
/ did not stipulate that the lot was to have
been paid for in city bonds. aud Mr. Har-
grove refused to sign 1t when 1t was pre-
3ented 10 him by Mr.. Goddin.
When it became known that there was
probability that tho school would be
located on Clay street the residents of the
vicinity got up petition asking that this
site be not adopted, as such an institution
would be decidedly Objectionable to them.
The Grant property was then again
brought to the attention OF the committee,
and an option upon it for ninety days has
been obtainedI the price being $4,000.
Now, the majority seem to favor the
Twelfth street lot as O site for the school.
PROBABLE COMPROMISE.
The Committees on Schools and Finance
met Tuesday afternoon, and the situation
was talked over at length. There were pres
ent. besides members OF the committees,
City-Attorney C.V Meredith, Colonel J. b.
Purcell, Mr.. John L. Goddin, Colonel Gut
shaw, and others. Matters now stand IN
siah. quo, no action having been taken in
that meeting. The question was not refer
red to the City Attorney. as has been
that a satisfactory compromise may be eff
fected.