Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-10
TIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A History OF Their Establishments
Norfolk in 1859.
rho Report of tho school Commits
sioncrs, Nicssrs. IL. a. woreit, VIM.
II. Barrett. rnos ID. Toy, Vim. "A.
Farrer.nnd ihos. 4. rabn, lrens-
urer ana superintendent.


The old us we'll as tie rev contains
much that is news TO the reader to-
day, and it is not DOUBTED tlrat readers
of the Virginian-Pilot will find in n re-
port oi uhe Commissioners OF the Pub
liz Schools in the city OF Norfolk, for
the year 1859, just forty years ago,
much that will interest them. To say
the least it will be found 4 fruitful and.
perhaps, a profitable field for reminis-
censes to those who are fond of in
duls ne in reflections on the past ana
connecting it with TIE present.
In 1919 the School Commissioners
were u. y. WoryeL William II. Bar
ret, Thomas d. Toy, William Il. Tur-
ner and Thomas G. Tabs. the latter
tlcasuIcs and superintendent. Each OF
these gentlemen was Il prominent and
useful citizen of Norfolk The former
VIII be recalled by the older citizens
OF to-day rs the City Collector Mr.
Ea!1ett was prominent in fraternity
circles, particularly the /. Q. .. f. Mr.
Roy was Il druggist. Mir. Turner Il po-
liticai leader. Mr.. Ta.b was Il lawyer,
and we believe the first Mayor of Nor
folk after. the war, and tit one time
served as Judge of the Corporation
Court. This classification may not he
absolutely correct. us the writer has
had 10 depend upon the memory of
others for information, not having the
tlme TO search the records of 1859.
COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
The report of the School Commission.
evs of 1859 says in part:
That the system of public instruc-
tod IN.r
operation in this city on the 18th Of
september. 1858, and that thus far. the
pract .cablity and usefulness of the in
sutution have been fully dcycloned
ana the expectations of the friends cf
popuar education in this community.
FULLY realized
IN discharges of the responsible ttust
c.hIined TO their hands. the School
committee determined scrupulouslv In
observe ,he instructions. and TIA re.
qulsites Of the law! and TO carry ont
Is PROVISIONS, with stern reference 10
| me rShtS and interest or the comlnu
! nltS--no other course would hay,, hean
IJe2a!, or justifiable.- peoplen i'm
their sovereign capacity, had voted ia
e.taniish Public Schools in Norfolk
Cily' and law cont0inin the prnner
provisions. was passed. by Inc C,onsti-
tutonai Legislative authority of The
| CITY. AS SOon as the Oruinancc ,voc
passed. it becnmeNa binding law OF The
san of as much potency and author.
ny us any law in the Statute Book: and
me school Committee deriving their
a,uthprlty ana instructions only from
inns law. had no discretion in the nrem
ises-couid neither refuse to carry IN
purposes and intcnts Of the law.
no: substitute any other purposes ar
lnterss ts; and their acts were ONLY "a
lar lustiiiable. rs they were In con
+oIni " with The provisions of the law
ne Committee. determined at the
ues'hnlhS' mat the success ana useful
ness of the Public Schools. vitality 10
nentci upon the approval ana conn
! cei ce OF the people. and in order to es-
,aotisA IN this City. the cl,arac err OF
! tthlic Schools. contemplated BIZ the
i!W' niid thus to secure the anprob.
tion ~ the community, just care and
| uei'pefatiDn were exercised in taking
! 1ne several sters, in the performance
OF thrir prescribed duty.
/ And ,irst in the selection of ~
localities IN the several districts and in
regard 10 the construction, Internal mr..
engagements anu external appearance n,
the schoohouses
=, nc f011tTtTVS Cnosen are the best in
| the several districts, and the schnnl.
muses. crested not only afford the nlost
! comfortable accommodations bnt or.
I - 'NN'e7'-t NlliDSlllSlmcntS oil
| our CITY: and the great interest mani.
| rested by the community at the com
| mencrmont. and the promptitude In
patronzing the schools, ii may be fairly
assumed. are attributable i'm n cood
| degrcc, To the positions, suitableness
| ana attractions of the schoolhouses
inferior, lily contrvcd and lilly furnish.
Ell hOps es--situnted in obscure and IN.
comfortable localities, although costinr
! less than the houses erected. would
| have failed tn attract the public atten-
! non. and To secure the public conf
/ doncc and as IL necessary CONSEQUENCE
the schools would have been mere
charity foundations. without tone ar
usefulness; an irllsonlc burden on The
community. and destined to early ana
certain failure
Tie next important step by the com
mittee. in the discharge of duty was
/ the election nj teachers for the schools
| and in this the utmost caution and 0dei-
| ity to principle controlled their action
all collateral considerations were dis
| regarded and the individuals elected re.
ceived their appointments after Tho
| closest scrutiny into their claims and
! Dretcnsions, and after every means of
information i'll regard 10 them had been
exhausted.
| There We're sixty applications fol-
| teachers positions in the public schools
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