The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-11

al concentration OF 5000 TO the public
schools OF the city of Richmond. the
undersigned believe that IT IS simple
act of justice TO present TO the citizens
of Richmond a review Of the motives
ana pledges these gentlemen have given
10 this community in assuming the oD-
legations Of office. as well as a review
of the past legislation Of the present
Council upon the matter OF city appro-
The clear majority Of the present
Council, II not the whole body, assumed
Office under a distinct pledge TO this com
munity ito live within its income ana
pursue a distinct line Of 'retrenchment
and reform a necessity, equally imper-
ative now. as then.
In line with this pledge the Retrench-
ment and Reform Committee have given
many months Of services and labor IN
this behoof. with the encouragement that
almost every step has met with criticism
and dsapproval from one source or an
other
as "a body charged with definite action
/. Passage of the budget March /. 1891
appropriating 10000 to the School Board
conformity with two resolutions-one re-
ouesfin2 the School Board. I'm view of
our financial stringency, 10 live Wltnlh
the appropriation; the other pledging the
Council as a body not to make approprla-
tions beyond this budget.
fused their concurrence upon this bud
get A conference committee OF the two
bodies was held resulting in the action
of both branches Of the Council accepting
without change. the measure as IL oriBl-
nally passed the Common Council a
member OF this conference committee,
who was also a member OF the Schooi
Board stated at the time that the aP
preparation Of 100000 would not impair
the efficiency Of the schools.
g. The appropriation Of 100000 Is I'M
questionably sufficient TO pay the teach
ers i'm our schools to December 18Th leaN-
ing only two weeks one OF Whlch ls
holiday week, unprOVided Tor. ne
question. therefore is not one OF the
efficiency OF our public education, nor OF
the continuance of our pubic schools, Dul
whether the teachers I'm our schools shall
or shall not make a sacrllce OF one
weeks service to the public good with
out compensation.
1he matter Is not merely the eXpendi-
ture OF 5000 in excess of our income
IL involves a principle of greater mag
nitudo, in which the good lMth ana IN
tegrity g this community IS TO be De
terminod. as wei as the rendition or our
approval or disapprovai 10 the course OF
certain members Of our Council VINO
have given our municipal interests close
study and good service at much personal
sacrifice and now firmly ana honestly
stand i'm the breach we nave comlhlaaloh'
ed them To hold. against all criticism
BDutNlnE. therefore tDdA ~ Hiril'i 'A'
terests can be sustained in TINS commu-
nifty than a fuihllment Of distinct piedgci
| honestly and publicly made, We unhesi-
tatingly approve the stand taken py
these members of our Council who nave
| refused their concurrence ia this appro-
pration, soliciting at their hands a CON
| tinuance of their opposition To 'hls APP
preparation and from TINS community u
conservatism OF Judgment upon public
matters which we have committed 20
them to study and direct IN our name
" Bowe. Preston Cooke,
Iacl,son Guv James H. Anderson,
"a A Catlin Nirginius Newton,
Iobn n. Purcell. William II. Palmer
James W. Allison, II. q. laws,
Jas. Aston Caben, W. a. cIthelld"'
IA. r.. Pollard, Jr., George ScIoVH
w g. Ferguson, VIM. II: buChc'
William Gray, n. NJ NaliiioK IL.
G.. IL. Baughman' Moh'soineis VIZ
Ro q. Thornton, James -; CIunlp
T. Sitterding, watson 4, -. lbs W"
c. E. Wingo T. -. la9ioi'
Samuel T. Martin, J. stern, ,,.,i,.o
John 5. Elicit, MNhuhaIn b9ln"s'
n M. Rutherford, J. eielt w auue9'
Bernard ii. Gaines, ), W. h"N'y8'