Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-18
THE DENBIGH SCHOOL.
The Charge Of Nepotism on the Part
of the Board.

The Charge of Nepotism on the Part
of tho Board.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Please allow me space in your columns
to state both sides of the Denbigh school
case, as it is of much Importance locally,
and bears on the future of Miss Lulie F.
Jones, as professional teacher.
First. I will view this from business
standpoint.
Miss Jones has been the teacher of this
school, NO. 2, for six years. Mr.. Garrow
has been one of the trustees and clerk
of the board. Mr. John Curtis another
trustee, is brother-in-law and cousin of
Mr.. Garrow, uncle-in-law to Miss Gar
row, applicant for school No. 2,
Miss Garrow has been teaching for the
past two sessions a new school opened
in the Mennonite colony, first aught by
a daughter of one of the Mennonites en-
ployed by the trustees at $40 a month.
When Miss Garrow went in as teacher,
the salary was raised to s25 and IS de-
Quoted from the other schools to pay her.
Previously the salary could not possibly
be raised. The next session her salary
was raised to $50; but here ends her
teaching the Mennonites; they being @
people of pronounced Christian views and
appreciative Of educational ability, rise
in body and ask that Hiss Garrow be
removed from their school as incompe-
tent morally and mentally to teach a
school. On account OF this complaint,
and Mr.. Garrow not wishing his daughter
turned out, Miss Jones was sacrificed
on the altar Of Mammon; and in this
sacriicial offering all ties Of right, honor.
bonds of friendship We're laid aside and
the matter went on until Miss Garrow
succeeded Miss Jones. Now comes the
nepotism and the facts in the case
Miss Jones has been teaching in the
public schools for fifteen years; has
twelve frst-grade certificates with an
average of 95 per cent. Miss Garrow has
taught two sessions and holds one first
grade certificate, unlawfully. and was
coached" on the examination in which
she received this. Her general average
at Farmville was 10 per cent-five points
while there to repeat the classes she en-
tered three years previous to the 70 per
cent. average, An article in News-Her-~
aid reads: THAT patrons desired that
Miss Garrow succeed Miss Jones' Two
petitions were started-Miss Jones's held
twenty out of twenty-nine actually in at.
tendance, Miss Garrow's held nine ac-
tually attending, and thirteen who had
never attended. nor intended attending
r our OIL THESE WOulO nave TO pass their
own school house or cross wide marsh
and impossible in high tide. in order to
have the advantage of Miss Garrow's
teaching, and this patron had signed
against her having had her two ses-
sions.
These are the facts that Mr.. E. c. Mad
son presented before the board of refer
ence, were fully discussed" and consid-
cred and "nepotism dismissed
When three men compose a school
board and father and .uncle-in-law, vote
for daughter, please tell me what is the
meaning of nepotism? Do they take 1t
literally that she was not nephew and
they could, with impunity, vote because
she wore dress?
There are other facts in this case, too
sacred to be brought before the public
but these are business facts, and link
it high time that some action De taker
in the rural districts, and cities, too, to
relieve the citizens of Virginia Of the
rottenness now existing in the actions OF
school boards throughout the land.
Something must be done to wipe out po,i
teal rule and favoritism in Virginia or
the State will ever be held, as she is now.
too conservative to adopt measures for
the salvation of the youth of our State
AMICuS