Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-06
TO LET PUPILS RIDE.
A SCHEME ron SCHOOL CHILDREN
IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS.
DR.. SOUYHALL IS EVOLVING IT..
The system In Now Being Tried In
Surry County-Arranging for Nor
mai school Teachers-WantsT Tenn
perancc Lnws-CapifOI Notes.

DR.. J. w. Southall. Superintendent OF
Public Instruction. always has in mind
schemes designed to improve the public
school system of the State, and just now
nc Is engaged in consideration OF one
which has long received his attention.
1t is plan whereby the children in the
| country districts may be carried 10 their
schools instead OF being forced to walk
a mile or two. as at present. DR.. Southall
| said yesterday that he had recently been
thrown with prominent public school OFF,
| Gals from Western and Northwestern
| states, in which such system Of trans
porting scholars is in vogue. and that in
| every instance it was highly satisfactory.
BEING TRIED IN VIRGINIA.
The system is being tried in Surry coun-
~ this year, and is understood to be Civ
ing satisfaction, though the County SUI
perintendent has not reported.
DR.. SOuthall thinks that such "A system
could probably be inaugurated everywhere
at comparatively small cost. Farmers
teams are not working In winter when
the schools are open. and they would not
be exorbitant in their charges for hauling
the pupils. He thinks it not unlikely that
the cost could be considerably reduced by
having some sort of mutual arrangement
between the patrons of schools whereby
the work of carrying the pupils could be
made to devolve on the heads O.. various
families on alternate weeks. a.. course,
the conveyances could not aiW. $ run to
the houses Of pupils, but there could be
an understanding that children living of
the highways would be taken up at GER
tain points In this way ii is believed
one vehicle would be sufficient for a
school.
The introduction Of the system Of trans
porting pupils TO the schools would do
away with the necessity of having schools
so close together in the country districts.
a decrease in the number Of schools would
admit OF an increase in the length Of
term, the better pay Of teachers. and the
Improvement Of school buildings. 1t is
believed it would also improve the school
attendance.
DR.. Southal also has many other
schemes i'm mind designed TO benefit the
public schools, among them an educa-
tonal campaign extended into every
county of the State about the beginning
Of the next school year. But this has not
been decided upon, nor have the details
been worked out.
DOES MUCH FIELD-WORK.
DR.. Southall spends nearly all his time
visiting the schools of the State. Visitors
to his Office seldom find him at home. |
During the present school year he has |
visited many counties. going into town
and country schools alike inquring into |
methods. and inspecting buildings.
1T is my honest belief" said Dr. South |
all yesterday, that the average teacher |
ofYfa =. 10 fts
and faithful. and generally trained.
Il have also observed" continued Dr. |
Southall, that while teachers without !
normal school training are among the
best; yet | have not in a single instance
found teacher trained at William and
Mary. or at the State Female Normal
School a Farmvlle, who has not given
almost perfect satisfaction That is an
argument for normal training"
NORMAL TEACHERS.
DR.. Southall and Mr. Brent. secretary
Of the State Board of Education, are now
engaged in arranging the teaching staff
for the summer normal schools.
Mr.. Koiner Commissioner Of AGricul-
ure has been comforting with Or. South
all recently regarding the teaching of the
elements OF agricultural chemistry in the
common schools. 1t is understood that
textbook on this subject will probably
De put on the list.
TEMPERANCE LAWS.
Governor Tyler yesterday received
cquest from Secretary-of-State John
lay for copies Of any laws at present in
orce in this State dealing with the sup
PRESTON of drunkenness. The Secretary
made the request at the instance of the
British Ambassador who wants the in
for her Majesty's Secretary for
he Home Department.
:. a LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE.
Among the callers at the Capitol yester- I
lay was Hon. Carter II. Harrison of | !
'owhatan. Mr.. Harrison will stand for
he nomination for the House Of Delegates !
rom the district composed Of Chester |
eld. POwhatan, and the city of Man !
hester. subject TO the Democratic pri-
nary He has twice represented this dis
riot in the House as a POpulist. but for
everal years has been afiliating with .
he Democratic party. There is a belief
hat Mr.. Harrison's name will be the
My one presented TO the convention by .
he Powhatan delegation. While men, Z
er of the House Mr.. Harrison served on q
everal Of the most important commit
aes. and was also honored by appoint
lent upon some of the special commit
aes.
CAPITOL NOTES.
Secretary of-the-Commonwealth Law
'ss returned from Portsmouth yesterday
nd reports that his mother is much bet
er. ,
The Syracuse Chill Plow Company. OF !
lew York fled five trademarks with
ne Secretary Of the Commonwealth yes
erday. !
\ negro tried to see the Governor yes
arday to borrow SO. to keep his house
rom being sold by the building and loan E.
ssociatiOn.
The payments Of pensions at the Audi
)rs office is progressing rapidly.
Mr.. Crane at the Academy
One of the largest audiences Of the sea- y
IN is Sure 10 assemble at the Acndnrnv | q