The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-11
1t Stands by the Proposed AppFOpFIa-
ton 10 Schools.
The VOTE MAS UNANIMOUS.
An Interesting Debate was mad Before
Action Was Taken-Movement Look
ing to Bringing Democratic Organ
fzatfons Into Closer Relationship

| hutNtidis
There was an attendance Of representa-
tive Democrats OF the ward last night
President ". w. Wood presided. After
the routine business had been transacted.
Messrs o. A. Hawkins and +. NJ. Rowelle
were elected contributing members.
A letter was read from Mr.. James Han
non. offering to donate 10 the club. a pic
! ture of tine late James ". Tyler the nrst
! president OF the organization. His offer
was accepted with thanks.
TIE SCHOOL QUESTION.
The most interesting feature Of the
meeting was brought up when Mr.. John
| DriscoiI. the secretary Of the club. arose
anu offered the following for the conside-
ration Of the members Of the club:
Whereas the history Of the Democratic
party is rcplete with protestations Of de-
vOiOn TO the cause OF education for the
masses. and more especially a5 the Demo
Gratis Of this Commonwealth. I'm recent
convention assembled at Roanoke, alluded
with pride 10 its achievements for the
! public schools. we view with alarm the
possibility Of any restriction or curtail-
ment Of the term Of the schools IN this
city. and believing that such course would
reflect upon the Democratic party as well
as the good name Of tho capitol Of Nir-
gnia. Therefore be it
| Resolved, That we. the members Of the
| old Dominion Democratic Club. protest
| against the closing Of the school doors
against the children of the people. and call
upon the Democratic members Of the city
/ Council. and more especially those Of JEFF
/ fersOn Ward 20 appropriate the sum re-
quired to further and facilitate the great
cause Of education among the children Of
TINS community
THE QUESTION DEBATED.
| Mr. Driscon made a few pertinent re-
marks in support OF his resolution. ana
| when he had taken his seat Mr.. JOnn T..
| D0nLeavy I'm "a brief talk. which aroused
| much enthusiasm urged the club 90 stand
| by our public school syI en-.
! Mr.. Sam Stern, vice-presidcnt of tho
! club spoke eloquenty for the resolution.
! He said his heart was touched hy che
| appeals coming up from an parts of tho
city for the children 10 bo given Am OPP
pOrtunity 10 remain 20 school "Ihe com
| ditiOn that cOnfrOnts us said Mr. stern,
| should touch the heart Of every parent in
Richmond. The idea Of the capital c1y
| Of this magnificent State having 10 close
its schools for a month. yea, for day
is enough 10 make the cheek OF any pa
triotic citizen blush with shame. What
shall We tell the strangers who come here
and see our school houses closed? Why
Mr.. President. the small towns I'm old
Virginia would not close their schools for
lack of a few thousand dollars TO keep
them open. As "a people We are poor.
am ready 10 admit But we pride our
selves on the education We give the child
rem Of our city. We point with pride 10
the fact that Henry Clay John Marshan
aad other of our great men came from
| humble homes. and We know not but what
our public schools may be turning out
Senators or even Presidents at the pres
cnt time Take away educational tacili-
ties and the hope of our country is gone.
The youth Of this land few years from
now will have the government i'm their
own hands. Let MS make public cduca-
tion the pride of every Nirginian. we
have money enough. 10 seems. 10 educate
tho negro. Now, Mr.. President II We can
do this shall We close our schools 10 the
white children? Let us not do this. tor
one / say n would be Democratic policy
10 keep the schools open. 1 might add
that II would be patriotism. Talk about
"a bankrupt city If YOU please. The city
is not bankrupt But strike blow at
our public school system and YOU take
the first toward making the city bank
rupt. " we have ignorance We are poor,
but education. while 10 may not always
give MS a wealth Of money, Will make us
rich I'm that which money cannot buy.
Great applause)
OTHER SPEECHES.
Mr.. Chris. Manning Jr. while not op-
posing the resolution. seemed To think
the action which might be taken would
not amount TO dnNfn1UE.
Captain j. j. Kedford said he was not
prepared 90 speak with reference % the
controversy between the School Board
and the Council, hut be was a friend of
the schools and would stand by them.
The Captain made a splendid plea for the
resolution, and his remarks were heartily
applQudcd
Mr. Don Loavy called the attention OF
the members 20 the fact that the Demo-
cratic platforms had told OF what the
Democratic party had done for the
schools, and these platforms had pledged
the party TO continue in the support Of
the free-schOOl system. "Can we. as DEM
ocrats. asked Mr.. Don Leavy, afford 10
close the public schools? For one I say
we cannot Let us pass this resolution.
and let the Council know what we think
of this matter"
Mr.. Stern got I'm parting shot IN favor
OF the resolution and appealed in clO-
qucnt terms 10 the club 10 stand by the
children Of our city. Give them "A weeks
or months holiday" said he. 'and they
viii know why II is done. The impression
made on their minds will be lasting. We
cannot afford to do it. We must keep the
schools OPEN"
The final speech was made by Captain
John \. Curtis. While 10 was not his pur-
pose. as he stated, to say the School Board
was right i'm it's request for $1,000. the
fact remained that the money was needed
TO keep the schools open. For that reason
he was IN favor Of the resolution. The
Captain was Of opinion that the School
Board should be more blamed than the
Council: but when the question Of closing
the schools was involved. he had no hosi-
tatiOn I'm letting any one know whore he
stood. He was opposed TO spending so
much money on the education OF the me-
gro. but this was not the issue involved
and he hODed the resolution would pass
Mr.. Chris. Manning Jr.. withdrew an
objection he had made. and the resolu-
tion was passed by unanimous vote.
TO SEND CONGRATULATIONS.
After the school question had been dis
posed Of. President r.. &. Walthall. of the
"a talk which was concluded with an in
vtation 10 all 10 come 10 the Actives'
meeting next Saturday night
Captain Curtis moved that a committee
of three be appointed to send
the congratulations of the cluh
to the Democratic chairmon of
New York, Ohio. Maryland and Ken
lucky for the manner I'm which they con-
Quoted the late campaign. This was
adopted and the Chair appointed Cap
tam curtis Messrs w. II. Mullen and
J. j. Redwood.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.
Messrs. Charles NJ Wallace. Jr Tof-
ferson Wallace. w. VI. Mullen. Jobn
Curtis, sam Stern and others made talks
under the head Of the Good Of tIe
club" Some OF them paid their re-
succts 10 the Democrats Iaao,,e Tor
Good Government ana urged fbe IT,,
pOrtancc OF the clubs standing toQeth-
er TO protect the city in the matter OF
charter amendments and to watch the
interests OF the Democratic party. As
the result OF this discussion. IA com
miltee OF hNe, on motion OF Mr.. Henry