Evening journal., 1893-03-23

OF tho School FUND TO Any Other
Purposos-Mr. Armstrong; Peach Bill
Rises to Fan Again.-streo and Sewer
Directors Claim That the Proposed New
silverbrool Sewer Is Entirely Outside
the Corporate Limits.
stan Correspondence Evening Journal.
DOVER, March % 3-The educational
hearing to day petered out wonderfully
lt was expected that State Treasurer
Burnite, State Auditor Delaney, several
eX state auditors, the three school
superintendents and Professor l. Irving
Handy would be here TO. discuss the
general revision of the school laws Of the
state. When the meeting was called 10
order in the Hall of Representatives at
o'clock yesterday afternoon the only
speakers present were Superintendent
John G. Gray, Of Sussex county, and
Professor l.. Irving Handy, Of Newark
Senator Pilling presided.
John g. Gray, Superintendent Of free
schools of Sussex county, was the first
speaker. He said that under the
present law the colored school fund Is
held by the county treasurer, subject TO
the order Of the school superintendent.
The money is frequently used for general
purposes aud inaccessible for salaries aud
books in spite of the fact that the law
provides that the fund shall be kept
separate. He recommended that the fund
be paid TO the county superintendents and
that they give bond If the present bond
is not large enough He said that the
Incorporated colored schools derived no
benefits from their interpretations be
cause colored persons do not know how
to levy and collect a tax He recon.
mended that the tax TO be collected from
colored persons for school purposes be
payable with the poll tax He thought
the quarterly reports from the teachers
should be abolished that the clerks re
port 20 superintendents the employment
Of teaches; that all school houses be in
sured; that the time for holding school
meetings be changed from June to April.
He thought it might be well TO grant a
certificate 10 60 per cent teachers, but 70
require him TO grade up within two years
or lose IT, Examinations in pedagogic
should be required.
Professor l.. Irving Handy said that
he was opposed TO any movement to di-
vert any portion Of the school fund TO
other purposes. He believed that such
diversion would place the party in peril.
The state gives 80 600 10 colored schools.
It comes from the general fund That
amount could be paid from the
school funds, as could also the
salaries Of the superintendents
&c thought that the appropriation
TO negro schools should be increased {,
81 200. Rural New Castle Is getting
more per pupil than either Kent or Sus
sex counties Wilmington has cause "a
com plain as the rate only receives 81 81
The greatest injustice is between the
town and rural districts Of Kent and
| Sussex. A commission should be ap
pointed to restrict the rural districts
making not less than eight nor more
than sixteen Of the pi esent districts into
one district, under a board Of education.
He favored the appointment Of state
superintendent Of free schools.
Captain Dasey asked what was the
best way TO secure the money now in the
hands of the school clerks.
Superintendent Gray acknowledge
that the money was insecure He sug.
gested q common treasurer and general
county fund, subject TO the drafts OF
the individual districts.
Mr. Handy suggested the Maryland
system Of making the examiner
officer. The county superinten
dent could be put under additiona
bond and hold the money in precisely the
same way
The meeting then adjourned