The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-19

for their support are almost fnyarl-
ably the smallest. Not only are the peo-
pie OF such sections least able to pear
any increase in the rate of taxation, but !
as q natural consequence Of the very 1S-
rlorance, which we dep'ore, they arc least |
alive to the necessities of greater educa-
ztional advantages.
AS is well known. the ordinary coutrt-
buttons from tho State to the cause OF
popular education consist of the amounts
collected from the poll tax. assessments
of ten cents on the one hundred dollars
of all the taxable values OF the Com
monwea1th. and the interest accruing
from the literary fund. Experience has
demonstrated that the amounts so re-
allied are not sufficient to maintains the
system even up to the standard OF Elf
cheney which now exists.
At the time Of the advent TO power OF
the keadjuster party an ascertainment
was made of the amount which under
the operation OF the funding bill had been
diverted from the free schools into the
pockets of the bondholders by the ac-
ceutance by the collecting officers OF the
State OF coupons in payment OF State
taxes. including that which had been
levied for the support Of the public
schools. Under legislative enactments
adopted at that time the work of re-
diverted was inaugurated, payments be-
ing made at the rate OF one or two hun
dred thousand dollars year.
These payments continued year by
year until the whole amount thus diverted
had been repaid. At the date OF the last
paynent the Democratic party had re-
turned to power, and the question pre-
sented itself whether the free school sys-
tenn of tho State should continue to en-
49, ft,;e. tod miro
| priation taken. from the state treasury,
or should be permitted to rely solely upon
| the resources of income originally de-
| signed for its support. The General As
| sembly, controlled by the Democratic
| party, did not hesitate to appropriate
| from the State treasury this additional
| sum for the support of the free school
| system and similar items have been car
| ried in every appropriation bill passed by
| the General Assembly since that date.
| Thus we have the principle and precedent
firmly established of augmenting by spe-
| cial appropriations the contribution
| which the State makes to the great cause
| of popular education In view of the I'm.
| disputed increase in our State revenues.
| it would be the part of wisdom to increase
| these appropriations to the very limit Of
| our resources. 1t would be q backward
| step TO reduce taxation when confronted
with the imperative demand for increased
| appropriations to the cause OF popular
| education.
| I have not attempted to depict in col
! orS too gloomy the conditions with re-
| spect to our free school system in many
! portions of the State, but OF the necessity
| for great improvements and larger ap-
| preparations there cannot be the shadow
! of q doubt
! 1t is no time for our leaders TO remain
! silent nor for prophets to ''rrophcsy
| smooth things In the great race for
| intellectual. industrial and commercial
supremacy among the States of the Union
| Virginia is tagging in q manner i'll be-
| fitting her great past and unworthy OF
| the yearningS ana aspirations OF thous-
| andS Of her devoted sons. We need more
| trained intellects and skilled hands to
meet the requirements of these exacting
| times.
Next in Importance to improvement in
our public school facilities I would place
the necessity for improving the colidi-
tons of the public roads OF the State.
Surely no recitals are necessary to DEM
onstrate that in majority of our coun-
ties our public roads are. as q rule.
scarcely worthy OF the name. that the
methods in vogue for their construction
and maintenance arc unscientitic and III
annually expended without appreciate
results, and that there exists in many
sections widespread Indifference as to the
necessity and. actual ignorance of what
constitutes q we'll constructed thorough
fare.
And yet next to church and school IA
cilltieS, there is no one factor so potent
| in determining the desirability of a:y
given locality as a place to i've as the
| condition OF its roads. purils many
| months of the year the condition 5f the
| public roads in many sections OF Virginia
| constitute an embargo upon social inie-.
| course ana business transactions; and Il
uost effectual bar to any emigration
! frcm more favored regions.
There can be no question but that the
! State should by appropriate legislation
| take some hand in the movement for inn
| proving the condition Of our county roads
| Where roads are worst there the neces-
| sity for their improvement is least appre-
cated. Where the call for appropria-
tons to effect the improvements is most
| urgent there the poverty and inability of
| the people to respond is greatest.
| will not attempt to outline any COM
prehensive plan of State supervision ana
assistance. but l will throw out few
suggestions apropoS OF the subject.
| There should be a State Commissioner
of Public Roads whose duty at first
| would be to make examination into
| the conditions existing in the various
parts of the State; to study the methods
| employed in other States of the Union
and the results attained and to submit
| for the guidance OF the Legislature his
| conclusions. This commissioner should
| also hold from time to time, in conjunc-
! ton with the Commissioner /of Agricrl-
| ture, farmers Institutes, at which the
| Importance of good roads, the best
| methods to be followed in their construc-
| ton and maintenance should be pointed
| out and public sentiment aroused to the
| great Importance of the subject.
| I think that the convicts confined in the
| State penitentiary, as soon as the exist
| ing contracts will permit, should be used
| to prepare materials at Guarries in va
| rious sections of the State for road con-
structiop and in the constructing and re-
pairing of public roads. The materials
! for road construction so prepared should
| be furnished the counties at cost or pro-
1uctiou. and am confident that arrange