Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-19
DON'T LIKE THE SITE.
Hampton Citizen Wants Il Larger Lo
for the High School.

for the High School.
y gentleman of this city who has for
years been one of the most active pro-
meters of educational interests in the
town and county, comes forward with
Il kick against the selection of the
ground. known as the Thompson prop
erty. in the West End. as the location
for the new high school building to be
erected this year. AS stated a week
ago. the lot recommended by the exam
ming committee of the school board is
situated OH Armistead avenue, within
perhaps Il minutes walk of the point at
which the electric railway leaves that
tlorous hfare and turns toward New
port News. Within sight of the spot
are many of the most charming West
End residences, including those OF
Messrs ]. S. and T. w. Darling. Cap
tain Darden, Captain Scott and others.
and TO many people it seemed that a
more beautiful location could not have
been found. But the gentleman in
question does not like it and. moreover.
serves notice that he proposes to fight
for a change.
1T is not my purpose said he TO the
Daily Press correspondent. Ito go on
record as u kicker without good cause.
But l am interested in the schools Of
this county and don't want To see any
mistake made in the important matter
of selecting a site for a high school
building. AS / understand the matter
the school board proposes To put up u
first-claSs house. one that Will cost at
least $4,000 without the expenditure of
a cent for furniture. Now. then. II that
is to be done-and I heartily approve of
it-why not put the building on lot
which will afford ample room for play
ground for the children? The school
board knew that the lot at the head OF
Arnistead avenue is nor large enough.
To do the work properly there ought to
be as much again ground as there Is IN
the Thompson lot.
But that is not all. ] think that in
buying ground for the high school the
board should make haste slowly, mas
much as-we cannot have the building
for use this year Now. in saying this
am not trying to upset a real estate
deal do know, however that a larger
piece of ground can be purchased-a
piece Just as well located---for good
deal less money than the county will
have to pay for the Arnistead avenue
property If this be true-and ] say IT
! is true-why not take time to consider!
For my own part. am interested only
! in the welfare of the county. We have
| borrowed $4,000 for school purposes.
| and I want to see every dollar put
! where it will do the most good. BY
| taking the Armistead avenue lot at the
| figures proposed to the board. 5000 OF
the $4,000 goes at once. I claim that
| larger lot. and one in every way as
we'll adapted TO the purpose. can be
! purchased at a saving of nearly, II not
| quite. $500
| 1t is possible that the gentleman
quoted may be correct. but it must be
said in behalf of the committee that Sc
lected and recommended the Thompson
property to the school board that Their
action was honestly in harmony with
what they believed to be the best inter
ests Of the community. Mr.. Henry T.
! SchInelZ was one of them and Mr.. Jas
Mitchell, Of Chesapeake district. was
another, and certainly these gentlemen
| are sufficiently versed in business mat
ters to be able to determine the value Of
a half acre lot. Two more competen
and trustworthy men could not have
been named to select a site.
/ The best of men, however, are liable
to err. and, after all. it may be that TIL.
gentleman quoted IS right in saying
\ that much larger lot, as well located
could have been purchased for the sun
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