The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-14
DIR. souIHALL AND THE SCHOOLS.

DIR. S0uiHALL AND me SCHuuLS.
We printed in yesterdays Times an in
tc.vicw with DR.. Joseph w. Soutball SD
pcrin.endent Of Public Instruction, in
which he complained of Or. Robert Frazer
for his criticism upon the public-schoo.
system in Virginia. DR.. Soutfall seems
TO think DR.. Frazer and others who have
criticised the system feel 1nkindiy toward
st and that they are trying to pull it
down.
That is an unreasonable view. We
have talked with Dr. Frazer on this sub
jcct and with those who are associated
with him, and we know that he and they
lave the deepest interest in public educa-
ton and are willing TO do everything In
tncir power TO improve the public-school
system OF this State. But the first step
sn any reform is to lay bare the facts
30 point out the errors and to show the
necessity for Improvement. We do not
believe .hat The public schools in all
sections OF Virginia are as poor as they
are in that county which DR.. Frazer Wis
ited and from which his report was
made but we are satisfied that the schools
in some OF the sections are quite as had
as they are there, and We arc also sat
istied from some Investigations that re
have made on our, own account that the
schools in many sections are about as
poor as schools can be.
First OF all, DR.. Frazer is quite right
5n saying that the school buildings are
borne out by The Virginia School Jour
nal. In an article in the November num-
her Of that publication the following Ian
suage is used:
This is the season of the year for school
superintendcnts and school trustees to
visit the schools in their respective juris-
dictions and to see that all is going well
with them. The public school system has
been in operation in Virginia for thirty
Years, and yet III many Of the counties
the school buildings are totally unfit for
x human habitationS. In many instances
they are old tenement houses that have
been moved from the farm to the public
road, and are not even owned by the dis
irict. but are rented at eXorbltant rates.
sometimes as much as one-fourth OF he
original cost Of tie buildings We know
OF some school districts in Virginia that
used by them for public school purposes:
and yet these districts are rich in ma
rural resources and taxable values
They seem to he willing to allow private
persons to tit up deserted tenement
houses or TO build new ones at such
places as may be most convenient to
them. and then charge the districts what
they please for the usa of them. This
ought not to be- Wherever it is pos
sib,e tho district should own and control
all the public school buildings.
And again:
II then we wish to improve our
schools. we must provide Slightly
convenient and well-furnished build
ings for the children It is shame that
the children of this State are compelled
10 sit during the cold dreary winter
months in such unsislltly. uncomfortable
buildings as many of the districts provide
for them No wonder the people COM
plain that the schools are not doing what
they should do FOR the rising generation
School officials should remember that the
ugly. uncomfortable buildings in which
school children are housed have a silent
yet irresistible influence on the tastes
and character of children that attend
them. The bare wall fits the vacant
mind, and the ugly surroundings teach
The child to be content with ugly and
common things.
There IS no more urgent demand for re-
form in any department Of public school
work than is the demand for better
buildings in the rural districts.
This is directly in line With the conten-
lion of Dr. Frazer, and if any proof is
needed Dr. Frazer VIII put photographs
in evidence.
DR.. SouthalI intinates that the State
aJ,, well !, +
ed with the money which She eXpends
.lpon public education. With due respect
TO Dr. SouthalFs opinion, we do not be-
aieve it We believe that the schools
can be vastly improved without any addi-
tional expenditure, by getting better
class of teachers, and we believe that If
the system should be improved and if
the taxpayers could see better results
for the money thus expended. it would be
n,ut little While before the appropria-
ton would be increased.
: B.at everybody who has made any in
Guiry into the case knows that the merit
system does not obtain, generally speak
Eng. in the selection Of public school teach
ers in Virginia There is q great deal of
politics. unquestionably. in the manage
s mcnt of the system. There is 9 great
deal OF fayoritism in the selection of
teachers, and qualification does not by
eny means always count If DR.. South
e.i or any other man has any doubt on
this point we will be glad to give him the
name and address of each of a number Of
school supcr-intendents in Virginia, or men
who have occupied that position, who WI
testify on this point.
in some cases anon. the Hacks it is
notorious that the teachers are men and
women of bad moral character, and same
disclosures have been made TO us in this
connection that are enough to shock III
whole State il they should be made pub
lie. These nler and women, although
VIGOROUSLY immoral. are permitted Il
teach school and to train the negro chill
tlren OF the community In which they live
The whole system is at fault and needs
TO be thoroughly reformed and put npo.
basis of merit and efficiency.
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