Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-28
TEACHERSALLA AGREE
SERVE WITHOUT PAY RATHER
THAN CLOSE THE SCHOOLS.
BOARD WILL HAYE TO ACT.
A Paper, Signed by the Principals
and Teachers, Has Been Drawn Up
and Is I'm the superintendent
Hands-Glad II Is Settled.

| Parents OF children now attending thu
| public schools of Richmond need give
themselves no more uneasiness in regarC
to the muoh-agitated question as to
whether the schools shall close or not
before the usual time for the Christmas
holidays. The teachers have nobly come
to the rescue, and are quite unanimous In
expressing their willingness to teach
without compensation for the desired
length OF time. No coercion whatever
has been brought to bear upon them.
Their action is taken of their own free
will.
1t is understood that Superintendent
Fox now has in his possession a paper
addressed TO the School Board. stating
to the latter that the teachers and prin-
cipals have sgniied their willingness TO
teach without remuneration for those
days for which funds are lacking to pay
them.
THE BOARD MUST ACT.
The resolution adopted by the Board,
while not very clear as to whether they
order the schools to close on the 18th
or not, has been construed to mean the
body otherwise instructs the Superin-
tendent, the official information now is
that the schools will close on that day.
However, when the paper, stating the
status of the case and the position
taken by the teachers is presented TO
the board, there is no doubt that that
body will accept the generous offer, and
issue instructions that the schools re-
main open until the usual time for clos
ing for the holidays. Hon. j. Taylor
Ellyson, president of the board, is at
present out Of the city. and it is thought
that the body will not meet until his
return, which will certainly be in few
days.
Mr.. Miles Turpin, one of the members
of the School Board, was seen yesterday
by "a Dispatch reporter and asked what
he thought the action of the body would
be, when they received official informa-
ton of the principals and teachers ac-
ton. He said that as for himself he
should certainly accept their offer and
vote for the schools not suspending. He
did not see how the board could do
otherwise. The agitation which the dis
cussion as to closing the schools has
caused is about dying out, now that
every one sees that the session will not
be suspended.
WELL, 1T IS SETTLED.
prominent gentleman of this city |
yesterday said that 1t was a good thing |
matters had been satisfactorily arranged. |
you turn 11,000 children loose at a time |
when their mothers are busy making /
'ruit cake and jelly and such stuff for
Christmas" he said, land then look
,ut." He predicted trouble for the city |
,fIlce-holders in such an event, and drew
! beautiful picture OF the army of wo-
men who would swoop down on the City
Hall. carrying everything before them
n their wrath, and who would not listen
o reason. For you cannot argue with
woman" he said. "She will snap her
myers In your face and put the straight
question, Are the children at school or
ot? She will receive the meek answer
No. and before the councilman or alder
nan, or whoever happens to be in her
way, can catch his breath, or discover a
means OF escape she will be on the ram
age at the rate OF $50 words a minute,
nd the unhappy man must listen or
all In his tracks"
Excuse me-" said the gentleman, who
appens 10 be one of the City Fathers
iinself.'