The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-05

free school system. | am constrained
TO say that Its advantages do not seem
10 improve the morals of our colored
people, or restrain crime among them,
for the number of colored criminals is
constantly growing larger, and of the
1915 In the pententiary on the 1st day
OF October 1875, l.2T9 were ctuorcd.
which Is Il smaller percentage of orr
colored population than the average cri-
mtnal percentage OF the colored popu-
lation of the Northern and Western
States. According to the census of 1880.
there were nearly liftcen in every 5000
OF the Colored population of the North
ern and Western States in the peniten-
tiarics and jallS. while in Virginia
there weic only about eight i'll every
5000. This proves either that there IS
more crime among the better educated
colored citizens OF the Northern and
Western States than among the colored
citizens of Virginia, or that our people
are more lcnicnt to this race than are
the people of those States. If the for
mer, II would appear that education
has not been beneficial to these people:
II the latter, 1t is Il full answer to the
charge Of injustice and wrong so per-
sistcntly made against us--that we are
severe and cruel w our treatment of
30th day of September, 1894. the net
revenue was about $4,000; for the last
fiscal year, about S5l 900.
Public Free schools.
1t will he no less pleasing to you than
1t is to myself to know that our public
free schools are doing well and the in
tcrcst in them steadily increa sing
The school statistics for the year clos.
ing July 81. 1895. will show that there
were G,033 white and 2,243 colored schools
opened, with 2S5,53S white and I20,45:.
colofed pupils enrolled. and G.2ll white
ana 2,OSl colorcd teachers. The reve-
nues FOR the year were as follows: Local
ri.
city levies, $S+9, ,935.S4; State funds, in
cluding proceeds of State school tax
appropriation by General Assembly. in
teiest on investments of the Literary
Fund, $9ii.35l aS-making n total Of ST.
S2i2Sd.II The expenses We're as fol-
lows: Teachers salaries, 81 Sl,3S3.906.SS:
real estate. buildings. etc, $l59.S56.33,
school apparatus, etc. S25,343.l3: all
other expenses, S2SS, ,+SG. .o6-making Il
total of Sl,S07, 592.I0 In this statement
no account is taken of balances carried
from the preceding year Every year
shows slight advance in the revenues
applied to the support of the system.
but there is urgent need of more money.
The term is too short i'll country schools.
teachers salaries are insufficient, and
there are other demands which must
be met to bring our system abreast with
the schools of other States, where the
revenues are much larger
About n year ago 'the charge was
made that patrons Of the Virginia
schools We're paying mere for school
books than the patrons of the schools
OF other states We're paying for the
sa me books. y careful and exhaustive
invc stigaton was instituted, and the
charge was found to be utterly ground.
less. There is no State which has more
favorable contracts than Virginia.
The University OF Virginia.
1t becomes my painful duty TO report
TO you the burning, on the 9th day OF
October last, of the sOtunda and annex
of that grand institution of learning
the University Of Virginia. which for
nearly thrce-quartcrs of Il century has
been the pride of all Nirginians and the
literary and intellectual Mecca of the
South, and whose founder and first rec
tor was the sage of Monticello. 1t is
Il calamity which has brought sorrow
to the whole State, and | am sure
state IL not too strongly when say that
the people of Virginia will not be con
tent until they can again gaze with
tuilneSS of heart unOn the Iotunda as
Jefferson planned it, and such addi-
items as will make the whole equal in
form and beauty to what il was be-
fore the fire.
am not prepared, nor do think 1t
proper for me to suggest ways and
means. have the utmost confidence
in your wisdom. as well as your de-
votion TO the object so warmly cher
ished Throughout the borders of our
state, and ] am confident you will
take such steps, If within the scope OF
your authority. as will result speedily
in the full restoration of our beloved
tniversity-th nursery OF statesmen
and orators. scientists and !lterati
Confederate Soldiers
That | will strike a responsive chord
in your breasts. 1 doubt not. when !
recommend that the utmost liberality
he shown to dependent soldiers and de-
N al vii nf ca .h,
in Virginia commands in the Confedc-
fought for principle, not spoils: pa
money nor pensions. Thirty years
States closed, and all who participated
In II have passed the meridian of life,
and numbers of them are in old age
Exposure incident to that service has
brought disease to many, rendering
them incapable of earning n livelihood,
while others received wounds which
have SO weakened them physically as
to make them dependent. In many
instances the widows OF those who
were killed or died during the war, or
since. from wounds inflicted or diseases
contracted in the service. have been
reduced to poverty. and. either by rea
son of advanced age or impaired health.
are compelled to rely upon the charity
OF friends for support. Virginia is In
duty bound to care for these gallant
surviving veterans and the widows of
the no less brave and loyal men who
gave their lives in her defence and at