The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-10
An antique Rule Defeats the Public
School Appropriation.
ACTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
"Rule No. 30" Aroused from a Peaceful
Letbargy in order to Preclude the Pos
sibiIity of Closing the Doors Of Popu-
lar Education--Ihe Vote on IL.

| BY the above recorded vote the cppo-
| nonts Of appropriatpg the 5000 needed
by the public schools Of Richmond to pre-
vent them from closing their doors for a
longer or shorter time during the month
Of December, succeeded in temporarily,
and probaly permanently, preventing the
passage Of the resolution setting aside
that sum by tse Board of Aldermen last
night.
Sixteen members OF the Board were
present last night. and twelve members
were required to put the measure through.
bat they were not forthcoming The reso-
luton was never voted upon directly. but
when Il was introduced by Mr. J.. NJ
Noble. at 1889 o'clock. after an other
businers had been disposed Of. i;s oppo-
nents began 10 search vigorously for some
| means TO compass its defeat.
RULE No. S2.
| The instrument was discovered by Mr..
| Henry l.. Carter in the shape of Rule %
"a rule rusty from disusc and never
dragged forth from its tomb except in
| canes of dire necessity provides
that when application for on appropria-
ton IS made by any department that ap-
| plication shall &c: forth in detail the nur-
poses for which the money SO desired Is
TO be expended.
The production OF this instrument from
| its lurking place struck terror TO the
hearts Of the advocates OF the appropria-
ton. fo- the School Board had not set
forth in de-ail ;ne object for which the
money was 10 be expended; they had
neglected 10 give the name OF each
| and every teacher with his or her salary
appended thereto. and the opponents Of
| the measure could, therefore, not imagine
for what purpose the money was TO be
used. Dire visions doubtless floated
before their minds. as they could doubt
less see as with prophetic vision this vast
| sum squandored in the purchase of mar
| bles for the little boys or ginger-cakes
for the girls The risk was too great
! TO take: the rule must be upheld az all
| hazards.
Meantime. lying peacefully dead In the
| Common Council. beyond hope of resusci-
] tation. is q measure. familiar 10 every
Aldermen, aplroTTiating So ZOO for schools
/ and stating the purposes for which the
sum was asked An Intellectual attempt
was made 10 get this before the Board
that they might be enlightened. and then
the friends of the schools took the bull
| by the hOrns.
II move that Rule 90 be suspended, Do
said Mr.. Turpin.
There was a moment Of dire silence,
and then the opponents of the measure
| pulled themselves together, and, led 10y
Mr.. Carter protested their deep love for
the schools, but their deeper affection for
| the rules and regulations OF the Council.
1--WE love not Caesar less, but Rome
more" was the burden of their song.
And so il ended. The vote was taken
amid lamentations. Rule 80 remained un-
( suspended, and the board adjourned until
next Monday night to allow the School
| Board TO itemiZ8 their account, so that
Rule 30 might remain unshattered.
IMPORTANT. MATTET.S.
! Many important matters wese disposed
| Of by the Board last night. The body
| appropriated $50 for me paving OF
| Marshall street between Seventh and
/ Eighth adopted the report OF the Ordi-
nance Committee, instructing the CiD
| Attorney TO take steps 10 secure from
| Captain Alexander Coke all data pertain
| ing TO the revised city ordinances and dis
| posed Of q number Of questions Of more
/ or less importance The session was pro-
| longed until after midnight and the cham
ber was the scene Of an almost contin-
| uous debate.
The Board met promptly at s o'clock,
! President W NJ. Turpn I'm the chair. and
every member present. except Captain +.
| u. Starke. who is absent from the city on
! business and MIR. William II. thinner
mann. who Is confined to his home by
| sickness
| MARsHALL-STR APPROPRIATIONS
A report was submitted by the COM
mittce. recommending that the sum OF
$500 be appropriated TO grade and pave
the road-bed Of Marshall street, between
| Seventh and Eighth streets
Mr.. Vaughan said that after an exsmi-
nation Of the street. where it was pro-
posed TO spend $500 he could not see that
| IT needed Improvement nearly so much
| as other portions Of the city. and, though
! 1t was in his ward, he should be forced
| 70 vote against IL.
Mr.. Smith took the same ground. but
| Mr.. Allen favored the measure. as. ho
said. the Richmond Railway and Elec-
| trio Company. would have to pay for a
! portion Of the Improvement u was 2
| continuation Of a system OF paving alona
| the lines Of the railway companies II u
| were possible 70 divert this money TO tht
| payement Of sidewalks he said, he would
be in favor Of expending 1t in that way
| He did not think it was the best place
10 expend the $500. he said. but. under th'
| circumstances at this late day no bet
ter could be done with It,
| A vote was then taken on the measure
| and 1t was passed by a count Of y 10 4.
ina Board laid on the table a measure
| authorizing the Fire Department to ex
| pend the sum OF s.. 900 for the purchase o.
| a lot and the erection Of house for IN,
| accommodation OF Engine Company Nos
Thls matter excited considerable dis
| cuss.on. Mr.. Hardwicke explained tha
| It was the wish Of the Fire Department
to purchase this lot at some future time
and not during the present year.
Mr.. Allen took the position that tn,
Board had no power TO authorize the ap
| preparation OF money which was not We
| IN hand. Mr. Carter took the same view
/ and the ordinance was tabled.
rhe Board concurred In q resolution or
derirg the transfer OF the combination
! fountain lamp from Chimborazo Park I,
/ point in Fulton, 10 be designated BY IN,
street Committee. This measure was re
! Gently introduced in the Grounds ant
! buildings Committee by Mr. Lawder.
The Committee on Health reported III,
ordinance providing for the election OF
superintendent OF Street Cleaning, a.
printed in yesterdays Times.
1 r..