The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-02

yet In which TO do so. but instead OF
their bonds carrying interest from July ].
1871. they should only bear interest from
the semi-annual period next preceding the
date OF funding. as provided by act OF
January q 1896
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Virginia can look with infinite salts
faction upon the success OF her puohc
school system. For the scholastic year
closing July 81. 1897. she had $3.50 wnlte,
and 2.27e colored schools. with -ft','
white. and l23 23f colored pupils enroi'en.
The white schools were taught by zio-
male. 1906 female teachers, and tne COZ
ored schools were conducted by SCI male
and l9G female teachers. Total white
teachers 64is. otal colored teachers 2lZ'.
The average monthly salaries paid were
s319S TO male. and 1856 TO female teach
ers. She had I. OS7 school-houses ana the
estimated value of the school pronerty
| owned by school districts was SV" ""S'.
Her school revenue from all sources
amounted 10 81. S63. 70i. and her eSpendl-
lures for all purposes 10 sl.2' o5S-.
Year BY wear our public school system
grows in favor resulting from us superior
management. the character or It's Iraih'h-
and the proficiency OF its pupils. we me-
constantly I'm our daily walks men pion'i-
nent in business and professional C'l'',
whose education was acquired py 'ne p"'-
lie school-roOm. We see in every avenue
highly respected citizens and valuable
members Of society who have come up
from the humblest stations in life through
the States benefcence in affordlng All
her children an opportunity to become
intelligent. and 10 prepare themselves LOT
the stern duties of citizenship, ana grow
to the full stature OF exalted manhoou'
Virginia. though always strong Is s''ons
or to-day than ever in her history ioi
there is more education among the
masses making surer the foundations Oh
the State. Virtue. justice and liberty
flourish more and more as people rise
in the scale Of intelligence.
Prisons and schools must exist III ever
well ordered country: 80 many less as
you have OF the latter. so many more
must you have Of the former.
ROADS.
II is hardly necessary for me to call
your attention TO the Importance OF en-
acting a general public road law. Al
present. as YOU are aware, there IS u"
provision for working and .eeping the
public roads OF the Stat> IN order, ex-
cept i'm n few COUNTIES under the opera
ton OF special statutes. The genera
road act which provided for cumpulso'y
To~i Service was declared unconsu'u-
, tional by the Supreme Court or Appeals
several years since. and no action wa
| taken by the General Assembly al It's las.
session to meet the new condition crea'eu
| by the courts decision hence the ROADS al
| most everywhere have been long neg
lected and are consequently much out Oh
repair 49,.
In my last message | referred 10 t'e
interest that was being manifested III inc
| country at large in improved roadways'
| Conventions have been held. and organ
| izations have been formed with Wow
| Of mpressng upon States. counties ana
communities the necessity OF good ROADS
IN advancing their agricultural CONNER
cal and business interests.
There is nothing that contributes more
to the progress of a State or indicates
more forcibly the thrift. energy and en-
| terprise Of people. There Is nothing
| that increases the farmers profits more
by reducing the cost Of marketing ms
| crops, than smooth. firm and well-sradeu
| roads with the same horsepower ana
with less strain on his team and wagon
he can haul much larger loads ana more
loads per day. He can haul at all sea
sons thereby saving time and enabling
him to take advantage of high markets.
! Nothing pays better or enhances thel
value Of real estate or attracts capltal
! for development in greater degree than
! easy and quick means Of moving from
point 10 point and transporting the pro-
aucts OF community.
But Z need not further discuss SUD-
/ iect which must address itself so strong
~ 10 the mind Of every practical and
! progressive legislator.
THE STATE HOSPITALS.
We still have every reason TO be proud
Of our State Hospitals. for they con-
| tinuc 10 be conducted in most admir-
able manner In the character OF the
structures and the care and attention OF
| the patients, they are indeed ornaments
to Virginia rejecting credit upon tho
superntendents. physicians, stewards
nurses and employees.
The respective boards have been dill
gent and watchful and fully alive to the
Importance OF the trusts reposed IN them
The inmates under care and treatment
in the hospitals on September 80 1897. and
deaths during the preceding year were
in numbers, as follows.
Inmates. Deaths