The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-19

tho Financial Side of the Question.
Mr.. Rush u. Derr, general superin.
tendent OF the city schools, on being
shown an article published in an even-
ing papsr in reg ard to his recent inter.
Wow in The TIMES, said to Times re-
porter yesterday:
1.-THE recent interview, in which TIE
TIMES set forth the condition of the
schools and thoir necessities, has ex-
cited great deal OF attention and con-
siderable discussion among tho patrons
OF tho schools, many of whom believe
the superintendent ought to be more
accessible to them and ought to give
more time and attention TO their needs
and requests.
vt is said that tho school board rec
ognizes the Importance of this matter
and will shortly make some recommen-
dation to the Council providing for the
employment Of the whole time of the
superintendent"
will you state what you know of
this?" asked the reporter.
II know OF no immediate recommend
alton that the board could make or &C.
ton they could take other than they
have dono. The board has repeatedly
and urgently petitioned and requested
that some action be taken by the Coun-
Gil to provide for the matter. This has
been done at intervals for the past three
years, and this year, but fow months
ago. stronger effort was made by the
board in this direction than heretofore,
and the Council was urged by lettor
from the board, reinforced by Il letter
from the State superintendent. stating
thai this matter was lmperatively ne
cessary and essential to tho progress
and permanency of the system. So it
appears to mo that the board has done
all that can be done by it in this direc-
ton.
1T now rests entirely with the Conn
Gil as the matter seems not to be gen
orally and fully understood by the pa
irons OF the schools. cas- to the Councils
responsibility and how far they will be
called on to sct, / will state that the
circumstances arc these: Tho city of
Roanoke. through its Council, will have
to appropriate about $500 to the
annual salary of the superintendent of
public schools for the purpose or getting
his full time which, belive, it is gem
orally conceded by all sides,
arce of the public schools. This
would make 1900 in all for the city to
pay for such services. This is not
question OF increase OF salary as some
appear to suppose, but absolutely a
question OF whether or not it is essen
tial to have these services, or whether
the public schools or public economy
can dispense with them.
"As far as l am concerned I should
like to see the matter put before the
Council and brought to a vote that the
patrons may know exactly whose
economic ideas arc response BILE for the
failure Of the city to have proper exec
utive headsto the public schools or
course do not pretend to put my iudg-
ment against that of the Council in this
or any other matter, but 1 do feel very
strongly and severely tho necessity for
the interest of the schools to be pro-
tected by some provision of executive
management.
This work falls very heavily on me
as it is, and yet am conscious that not
half is done that should be done for the
public good in rendering q perfect sys-
tenn OF schools, such rs Roanoke should
have and has right to expect without
delay.
ITO my mind there is no matter
which overshadows this in public i'm
portance, and am confident that any
one conversant with the subject will not
gainsay this.
81 am daily thrown in contact with
the patrons OF the schools and hear
their grievances and know the needs of
tho system, and yet am powerless to
meet the demands of either as fully as
tho necessities require. In trying to do
so without pay, have overtaxed my en-
ergies and my abilities in many in
stances; beside | do not think it right
that this city should ask this much of
me gratuitously, especially when ap-
preparations can be found for other pur-
poses of less Importance, and in which
the general public interest is not half so
much at stake.
1T does seem to me that the Council
should have q recorded vote on this
matter and then let it go to the people
for their endorsement or condemnation.
The people have voted large appropria.
ton and taxed themselves to raise It
for the porpose of establishing a good
system Of public schools, and think
would be recreant to my duty were l
to fail or refuse to point out any circum-
stance calculated to defeat that end. I
have called the attention of the Council
to this matter from time to time. The
State superintendent has also written
stating the Importance OF this matter.
1.-The school board has urged it, and
uhi1o fool that thooa Officials h va