The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-13


TO The Editor of The Times
Sir,-The situation in Ashland is this.
-Four years ago. when the charter OF the
town OF Ashland was given hy the Legs
lature, there was Incorporated into ID
clause granting tO the Town Council the
power OF apprOpraung 10 the public
school whatsoever funds ~ might deem
necessary Two Years ago, when the
charter Was amended. the same provision
with reference 10 the public school was
retained. There was never any discus
SION among the people on the subject.
DR.. John l.. Buchanan. "a known friend
Of the public school system and pa
iron of tine Ashland school. devoted
great deal OF time 90 the preparation OF
the last charter. and this clause was APP
proved or acquiesced in 10y him. il is not
the belief OF the Ashland people, though
1t may be- OF some few individuals, that
there was any Intention Of inJuring the
public schools bon the minds of those who
incorporated the school clause into the
charter. And when DO is said that Dr.
John J.. Buchanan and tho late Major
William a. Shepard were active and i'm
terestcd members of the Town Council at
the time, nothing more need Dee said to
SHOW that there was nothing uuderhand-
ed in getting the charter through the
il cislature.
Recently the School Board undertook
10 get the charter changed. The attempt
has met opposition, and opposition has
bred. as always heat and passion.
As soon as the School Board brought
the matter before the Council and stated
their case. the Council agreed 10 refer the
question TO the taxpayers of Ashland.
and one of their members was appointed
10 go with "a member of the School Board
10 canvass the town III the School Board
should get majority of the taxpayers
20 sign this petition. the Council We're 10
put no obstacle iu the way of getting the
charter changed
The citizens naturally divided on the
eXUcdiency of the change. Some opposed
the change ON the ground that as the
Council had hitherto shown themselves
friendly To- the school, it was only tne eN-
citement of the struggle that could make
any one think that The Council was nos
tile 10 tlc school. Others were opposed
on the ground that. as the school was
now in high state Of prosperity the
School Board could only want the 'nange
for tne purpose of increasing the taxes.
The friends of the change. while grant
ing the friendly spirit OF the Council to-
" trls the school. urged that b. was best
- have our School Board work under
the general State laW. and especially as
by amending our charter To- conform 10
that law we should settle the matter once
for AN and avoid amy possibility OF we
ture misunderstanding between the
Council and School Board.
These were the arguments used in the
meeting of the citizens held week ago.
while the canvass was going on There
timents of the two sides than by quoting
the resolutions offered I'm the public meet
ms as follows.
Resolved. T. That 10 Is the sense Of this
meeting that the public free schools
should bee fostered and literally supported
hy our Council. and. Dr. necessary, in-
crease the rate OF taxation.
Resolved. =. That We deem it unneccs-
sary and neXpeditnt no ask any change
of our charter
10 this was offered the following as a
substitute.
Resolved. 3. That We commend -
Town Council on account of the high state
oil efficiency 10 which they have brought
our graded school
Resolved. .. That We approve the ace
tiOn taken hv our Town Council 10 COM
pose the differences between the Council
and the School Board. and that we Will
do nothing 10 hinder the settlement on the
plan proposed
The first resolution of the substitute
commenting the Council tor what they
have done for the public school was ear
rird unanimously. the second resolution
boy majority Then Che substitute was
adopted as "a whole and was SO announc-
ed hv the chairman. During the debate
nothing unpariiamentary was said except
once. and that was said under excite
ment. when tho laugh was al me e>-
pense of the speaker. ana Tor ihis re-
mark. which was approved by n" one
full apology has been made.
The agitation has developed no enemies
of the public school. and If the change ~
the charter should not be made thc 'ouh-
eli will continue 10 keep up the schooi 10
it's present high standard OF excellence.
ONE WHO SIGNED THE SCfiOOL
BOARDS PETITION
Ashland, Va. Feb IT, 1870.