Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-05
TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The Dispatch appreciates the reluctance
which some councilmen exhibit in the
matter of increasing the appropriation
for the maintenance of the public schools
for the full scholastic year. They are
10th TO depart from the rule heretofore
laid down that each of the departments
should live within its appropriations. But
there must always be exceptions to all
rules. In this case IT appears that there
is a misunderstanding as to what the
School Board and the Council Committee
agreed would be sufficient money for the
purposes of the session.
Without recurring TO the details Of that
matter at this time, suffice it TO say we
do not believe the great body of the people
of Richmond desire to see the school term
shortened.
More harm than good would be done by
such economizing as that. inasmuch as
the fact would be exaggerated and
heralded to the world as an evidence Of
Jsrchrnund-s 1np0es,iio.ity. f''e9. ,s5,reat-
ly as orr tax-Dayers are in favor of re-
trenchment and economy, they are bound
20 be little suspicious of that sort of
municipal frugality which exempts from
cuts the police and firemen and most OF
the officials who surround the Council
while it finds victims in the poorly-paid
teachers of our public schools!
We doubt If the present demand in be-
half Of an extra appropriation for schools
would have been made If the City Coun- |
ell had decreed a HORIZONTAL reduction |
OF all salaries
However we have little disposition to
reproach the City Council for failure in
any part of its work of retrenchment. To
be sure. ii has not done all that it set
out to do. nor has 1t done all that the
people expected OF 1t. Nevertheless. il
mas rendered valuable service For one
thing, 1t has called a halt upon miscel-
laneous bond issues, and for another it
has established the sinking fund upon a
proper basis, and 1t has also made some
reductions in expenses. But we do not
believe II really expects its curtailment
of the school appropriation to stand. We
believe that 1t is as certain as anything
OF this sort can be that the Council win
have to make some provision for contnu-
ing the schools for the usual term. And
this would better be done at once. II
will surely have to be done. and nothing
at all is to be gained by delay.
After relieving the public anxiety as to
the continuance of the schools for the
full term, II might be well for the Coun-
ell to enquire If 1t would not be wise for
the city TO put the school fund upon a
footing different from what it is at pres
ent. We understand that the Council. IL
i chooses, may levy special tax for
The schools. If So it might possibly be
well to abate or reduce the general rate
If city taxation by so much and let the
schools have their own separate funds. !,
We say II might be well to enquire into
his matter. while we do not commit our :,
elves IN the idea.
For the present, and In view OF the mis- A.,
understanding that has arisen as 10 what :,
he School Board said il could do with =
he appropriation last made. we think 1t :
) clearly the part of wisdom for the ;,
'ouncil 10 make immediate provision for :,
arrying on the schools as usual this >,
ear And the sooner the better. =,