The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-20
DEFEATED BY TWO VOTES.
The School appropriation Failed 10 Get
Through The Council.
THREE HOURS OF VERY HOT DEBATE.
Messrs. Dloomberg and Gunst Left the
Ranks Of the Twenty Counted Upon,
Thus booming the Resolution TO
Dcfeat-The Proceedings.

EbeI, Horace 4. Hawkins, HobsoD, CARRIER,
Miller, 1Iosby. Neaie. C.E. Noble. Pollock
RYAN. q. 4. Hawkins, Whalen, Williams,
Witte and W NoodN.--iS.
NOES--Messrs. Bloombery, Gunst Uar-
reIson. Jones. Eountree, Tanner, and Cas-
ue.--7
This was the result OF the long and
heated meeting OF the Council and by the
above vote the resolution appropriatng
$500 for tho schools OF the city went by
the boards-tho required two-thirds was
missing. by just two votes.
Able speeches were made on either side,
tine cause Of tho schools being upheld in
the most earnest manner while those
who opposed the appropriation brought
facts and figures 20 sustain their position.
so able. indeed were these. that Mr..
Bi0ombcrg. who had before voted for Tho
measure changed his position and Mr..
Gunst, who was uncertain as 20 the prop,
er course 10 pursue. having before, also,
cast his vote for the appropriation, fol-
lowed his example
An eloquent address in favor Of the ap-
propraton was made by Mr.. l.. w.
s.inog. representing the American Me
cEanics. while "a no less effective speech
wa9 oelyorcd by Mr.. $. W. Travers.
Mr Travcrs in his remarks, however.
suggested that while the Council could
boz. consistently give the money, 1t might
De raised hy popular subscription. tie
pledged himself 20 give 500 or more for
such purpose and others who voted
against the measure also promised TO con-
tribute
At $50 The Council was called to order
by President Caskie. those present being
Mcssrs Blanks. Bl0omberg. Briggs Cot
trel. Ebcl. Gunst. Harreson n. a. Ilaw-
kns. Hobson, Jones, CARRIER. Miller MOS
by. Neale. Noble, Pollock, Rountrce,
Ryan. o. A. Hawkins, Tanner. Whalen,
Williams. Wltte and Woody
THE ABSENT MEMBERS.
President Caskie stated that Mr.. Foster
had been compelled 10 go 10 Roanoke ON
account of an engagement made Before
call was made for the meeting.
Mr. Caskie also submitted a letter from
Mr Waucrstcin explaining that DE had
been unavoidably called 10 Washing
ton and could not attend the meeting.
After the call for the meeting had been
read the resolution adopted by the Board
of Aldermen appropriaung 5000 for the
public schools was laid before the body.
The clerk then. at the request OF M.
Briggs. read the statement which was
submitted TO the Board OF Aldermen at
its special session by the School Board,
and published in fun in The Times.
The reading Of these lengthy documents
pccupled a considerable length Of time.
When they were concluded Mr.. ROun-
tree addressed the Board FOR the pur-
pose. ho said, to state his position on so
important a question.
u have no objection" he said, "to be-
tIlT
but do object TO be called an enemy TO
public schools They have no better
friend in this city than myself
Continuing Mr. Rountree said he had
been elected unOn a pledge not to apprO-
pirate a dollar more than the current
revenues. He had been put in his present
position. and the pledge had been eXacted
from him by gentlemen, among whom
were members of the School Board. the
President Of the Board being one of the
prime promoters OF the movement which
Dad pledged TIE Councilmen TO economy
Mr. Rountrec said that 10 was a Qucs-
tou of honor with trose who were plcdg-
ed not 90 exceed ,he bucgct
"But the schools VIII not close for one
day" he said. Il h3ve confidence I'm the
school Board. ! have confidence in the
patriotism Of the teachers.
"l think This Council has been one Of
fle most abused bodies / have ever heard
OF he concluded. II have been misGuot-
81. } am Cd friend 10 the public schools
n they are closed it will be for an evil
purpose.
THE MONEY fN HAND
Mn Brges said that If the city did not
have the money % would 10 different
tnue. lut thaf money rot expected had
been received from he Chesapeake and
Ohio railway and the Stokes estate. II
shollc he considered also. he said, that
the entire system would &c dlsa-rul ecd
Iv closing the schools
Mr.. Briggs called especial attention 10
tho fact that the School 3oard had used
tho greatest economy in cNyending the
money given it. but that thc cut m this
department hod been deeper than in amy
other.
As to the time which would be lost by
tire children. Mr Briggs showed that the
schools must he closed for twenty days
t.u of them schools days if the money
was not forthcoming.
ON motion of Mr Blanks. AR u. w.
Minor. representing the Junior Order,
United American Mechanics. was then
given the floor. and made most clcqccnt
address In favor of tho appropriation.
pointing oUt the vital Importance Of edu-
cation. and the irreparable injury which
must be done the city by closing the
Dn motion OF Colonel Jones Mir. 5. W.
Trayers. nrst viCo-president Of the Cham
her OF Commerce. was allowed 10 address
he Council Mr.. Travers said that while
he thoroughly appreciated education ana
thought that 10 should DE tostered, Yet
principle was stu more precious. lie
thought Il would Doe better for The future
of tha children Of Richmond that they
should be set the example Of steadiast
devotion 20 principle than that they
should receive thorough instruction al the
schools
Mr. Travers said that while he believed
that the Council shOild not appropriate
money which 30 has not got. yet he was
satisfied that there was enough publc
spirit to raise the amount necessary.
"l believe the Chamber of Commerce
will Join hands in this matter ne said.
Let the city Doe districtcd and requests
made fOr funds. Z mvself will gladly give
sloo. nay. S2oo and probably more 10
keen the schools open. Let MS decide thls
matter tonight. and then take up the
question of raising the necessary funds
afterwards. believe that 10 can be done.
MIR. GtNSTS POSITION.
Mr Marx Gunst then took the floor
10 mako an explanation. lie said that he
had voted for the appropriation at the
last meeting. as he had thought that IL
would not be- well 20 herald II 10 the
world that Richmond could not keep her
schools open.
since that time however. he said. he