The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-28
Ricbmond's Public Schools.

The current number Of the Virginia
School Journal J. y. McGilvray, editor,
has the following:
We fear that serious blow has been
struck at the school system Of this city
by the recent action Of the Finance Com
mittee of the City Council I'm materially
reducing the appropriation for the sup
port Of the schools. We know that the
cry Of "retrCnchment and reform Uealy
"retrenchment" for we hear little about
reform is abroad in the land, and we
realize what tremendous slogan that IS
in tho mouths Of politicians and tax
payers We know. too. something Of the
financial condition Of the city. and appr'-
ciate the necessity for economy. and
application Of business principles IN mu-
picipal (as well as other affairs. But we
honestly believe that the schools ought
10 have been the very last point Of at
tack: and their scope and efficiency
should not even have been threatened. II
there were any possible way of avoiding
IT.
For many years the public schools Of
Richmond have been her pride. So popu
lar have they become that all classes Of
people patronize them. and 10 has been
found necessary 10 build a new and COM
modious school house almost annually
TO accommodate the constantly increas-
ing number Of applicants The pay pat
ronage from the suburbs and contiguous
counties IS quite considerable. and our
population IS regularly receiving addi-
lions I'm people who come here solely 20
get the benefit Of our schools. The thor
cughness and value Of the work done
I'm these schools have been testified 10
by visitors from every part of the coun-
try, and are further evidenced by tho
demand for the services Of those trained
in them, both I'm business pursuits and as
teachers I'm other places.
The action of the Council must. we
think, have one Of two effects. Either the
school session must be shortened. or the
pay Of the teachers must be reduced. II
the former the whole community viii
suffer I'm WAYS that need not be mention
ed. The increased vacation will Doe hurt
ful TO the children and teachers by max
ing their work more difficult, when re-
sumption occurs II the latter. the teac'.
ers alone will suffer. and. as class they
are least able 10 bear the loss. We have
no doubt that they are as willing 10
share the burdens Ct government as any
other class OF the community, and n
their salaries were abnormally large. they
would ask a reduction 20 help meet The
emergencies Of these times Of depression
I'm business; but it IS well known that
they barely earn living. After much
time and labor and expense I'm preparing
themselves for their life work they re-
ceive a remuneration by no means COM
mensurate with that Of other pursuits.
which have cost no more Of time lalor
and money. Statistics carefully collec>S
prove that I'm twenty-seven cities ranking
i'm size and wealth with ours, Richmond
stands near the top IN children Of school
age or actually IN school while IT stands
near the bottom Of the list I'm the salaries
paid TO teachers.
We sincerely hope that some way may
be found I'm the wisdom Of our city faith
ers by which this deplorable result may
be avoided. and our schools may be saved
from this threatening blow.