Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-11
THURSDAY. ..........NOv. IL. 1897
ruE scHooLs AND RULE So.

In the discussion or the extra applo-
priation for our public schools, the Dis
patch has tried TO do justice TO the mo-
tives Of those who are not of its way of
thinking. We have not sought to fire
the indignation of the people against
those who cannot yet see their way clear
10 voting for the extra appropriation.
We have sought rather to show that the
present trouble is the result OF a misun-
Outstanding between the School Board
and the City Council, and hence we lave
urged the Council to keep the schools
going, as usual, during this scholastic
year, and then make a permanent ar
rangement whereby such disputes as This
may be avoided In the future.
We hold that 1t will not do for the City
Council to dicker with the public school
question. II 1t does, the result will al
most surely be that the people will take
the matter to heart very seriously and
demand the establishment Of a public
school fund which shall be altogether be-
yond the reach OF the Council and its
committees. II may prove to be another
t'other way. So we think the sooner
this controversy is satisfactorily ended
the better.
AT the session Of the Board Of Alder
men night before last direct vote
upon the extra appropriation was de-
feated by a members bringing into play
Rule 30. According to that Eule, when
ever any department makes application
for an appropriation, as in this instance,
Il must set forth in detail the purposes
for which the money so desired is to be
expended. motion to suspend the rule
failed, and so a direct vote. ON the main
question cannot be had until the School
Board has complied with the provisions
OF the rule.
We take it for granted that the School
Board overlooked the existence Of the
rule, and that now that its attention has
been called to 1t, 1t will give the City
Council all the information required.
This done, members will be called upon
TO say, point blank, whether or no they
will vote the School Board the 5000 that
Is needed to round out the full session
for the year 1Ss7-'sS.
We still think the appropriation viii be
voted. We believe the city's best inter
ests require it. We are sure that 1t is
the best thing possible to do to keep the
pendulum from swinging out of its track
IL is argued by some that IL the City
Council allows the schools to exceed theii
appropriation for the year. each Other
department will be pretty certain e
make a like claim. The answer to thi:
Is that TO other department is similarly
situated. Here the trouble has ariser
from a misunderstanding as TO what th'
board said 1t could do with the sum Sc
aside for IL. Again, II may be safely as
serted that no other department of oul
city government can enlist the sympath,
OF the public as the schools can. AND
sc we maintain that 1t is extremely un
likely that this case can be fairly referred
10 as a precedent for the other depart
ments OF the city government to make
inroads upon the treasury.
II cannot but be expected that IL the pop
ular wish be thwarted now, no matte
upon what excuse, the active friends o
the public schools will look about then
TO see how a repetition of the disaste
may be ayerted. And they will find al
instrument ready TO their hands in tn
provision of the charter which allow
the school fund 10 be levied separately.
We are to elect councilmen next spring
and we dare say II would not be Difficult
10 elect majority pledged to a separat
levy. That levy would certainly not b
calculated TO produce less than the school
have been receiving for some years past
and TO that end legislation from the
General Assembly could be secured
Hence. we conclude that the. part 0
financial and political wisdom is for tn
Council to meet the School Board In
spirit of conservatism and cancellation
So. TOO. II the School Board can possibl
see lis way clear TO doing with les
sum than II has asked for, 1t ought no
10 hesitate to modify its petition. lie
us an do all that we can 10 Keep peac
In the family.
We reiterate that the school term ough
not 10 be interfered with. II would b
the height Of folly 10 make an issue her
upon the school question We woul
better let well enough alone. certainl
n the special levy be resorsed to. III
-. 1919. '...414. -.