The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-30

'I 81 MONSD V.ASI'N GI)1Alz'
Caticcs.sJ nd towns arc prohihited
from issusing bends or other 4 :terest,
bearing DBL igsltio Ions for an amount greater
than eighteen per Scentum Of the assessed
value OF the real estate In SUI city or
town unless by an af1irmatiy vote OF
the majrity of the qualified voters 8of
tho city or town.
coustys Orsanizr tions.
The changes in this article are
i. There shall be one Clerk Of the
Court instead Of Clerk Of the County
and Circuit Court as in the old Constitu-.
tion.s and heSgis elected for eight years
q The County Treasurer cannot be
elected or serve more than two consecu-
tive terms, and he cannot act as deputy
{ for his Immediate successor.
s. Commissioners of the Revenue are
( to be elected Of appointed in the manner
TO be provided by law, but If elected
they cannot hold office but one term
4. The Boards Of Supervisors are re-
quired to meet a fixed periods and as
often as may be necessary.
s District officers are to be elected for
four years instead of two and are to be
elected in November instead of May.
C. The General Assembly is REQUIRED
by law to aprovide for he examination {
the books, accounts and settlements of
city and county officers who are charged
with TIL collection and disbursement OF
public funds.
Education.
:
The changes in this article are as fol-
lows:
l. The superintendent Of Public In
struction is required to be elected by
the people instead of by the Generals AS
sembly.
O. The State Board Of Education is to
be composed of the Governor, Attorney
General, Superintendent Of Public In
strucion and three experienced educa-
tors, to be elected by the Senate from
la list Of eligibles, one cach,St to be fur
nished by the Board Of Visitors or Trus-
tees Of the University of Virginia, Vir-
GINA Military Institute, Virginia Poly
technic Institute, State Female Normal
School at Farmville and William and
Mary College, instead of the Governor,
Acknowledgement and Superinten dent OF
Public Instruction as under the old Con-
stitution And said Board are required
to associate with them two division super
iiltcndents of public schools
3. The said State Board Of Education
may divide the State into appropriate
school divisions and appoint, subject to
the confirmation Of the Senate, one
school superintendent for each division,
instead of appointinGsa superintendent Of
schools for each county as now provided
by law.
4. The said Board is given authority
to make all needful rules and regulations
Tor the management and conduct of the
public free schools, and shall select text
sbotaAs and educational appliances for
use in said school.
5. The said Board shall appoint a
Board of five directors who shall serve
without compensation, in which shall be
vested the management of the State Lii
brary and the appointment of a Libra
rian and other employees therefor, sub.
ject to such rules and regulations as the
General Assembly may prescribe. Under
the present law the Secretary of the
Commemorative is the Librarian and hes
charge of the library fund.
g. The General Assembly shall apply
the annual interest on the literary fund,
the capltatlon tax. and an annual tax on
property of not less than one nor more
than five mills on the dollar to the pub
tic free schools of the primary and gram
man grades. for the equal benefit Of all
of the people of the State, to be appor-
toned on a basis of a school popula-
ton, said schools to be maintained for
at least four months. And each city,
town Qf the same be a separate school
districD, county and school district is
authorized to raise additional sums by a
tax on property not to exceed in the a 9
gresatc five mills on the dollar in any
one year, to be iapportioned and ex-
pended by the local school authorities
in establishing and maintaining such
schools as In their judgment the public
welfare may require.
q The school age is made from seven
to twenty inclusive, instead of from five
to- twenty-one inclusive, as now provided
by law.
S. The appropriation of public funds to
schools or institutions Of learning not
owned or controlled by the State is BRO
shibited
.. AT present the General Assembly an
propriates two hundred thousand dollars
annually Of the revenue collected for gen
eral purposes to the support of the public
free schools. Under the new Constitution
the public free schools must be support
ed from the tax. levied for that purpose,
the capitation tax and the interest on
the literary fund.
Taxation and Finance.
The changes on this subject are very
important:
I. The old Constitution provides that
taxation shall he equal and uniform and
all property, both real and personal, shall
be taxed in proportion to its value. The
new Constitution provides that taxes shall
be uniform upon the same class of sub
jects.
. Tangible personal property and real
estate are required to be assessed for tax
aticn at their fair market value, but the
General Assembly may allow a lower rate
OF taxation to be imposed for period D
years by cities and towns upon such land
as may be added to or taken into the cor
porate limits of cities and towns than is
imposed on such property in the limits
of cities and towns at the time such land
is added The object Of this provision
being not to tax the newly added districts
as high as the. old until they have had
time to obtain the same benefits and adj
vantages as the old districts.
5. Under the new Constitution a fran
chse tax may be imposed by the General
Assembly, and it may, in imposing such
tax, make the same in lieu of taxes upon