The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-05
A II. FIGHT j I u. BETWEEN E. {:
WATER ANDSCHOQLS.
An Interesting Problem Which
Ashland's Council Has
10 Settle.
Especial to The Times-DIsua tch.,

Especial to The Tines Ispatch.)
ASHLAND. VA, Feb. 1.-THE town
fathers Of Ashland are scratching their
heads these days as to how to make both
ends meet without increasing the tax
rate The local tax is already low. but
1t has increased steadily from seventy
cents to s1-the present rate. There are
strong opposing elements In the Town
Council, as represented by those men who
are for holding down the town as quiet
retreat for the busy man, who pursues
his trade or profession all day In Rich
mond. and by those who would invite all
possible municipal improvements and In
yite manufacturing and money.
Mayor Scott, as chairman OF the School
Committee. has taken the initiative on
the school question. and set education on
the pinnacle OF highest impor1an nee. There
Is an urgent appeal for I a. pure water
supply and a system OF sewerage. but
this calls for further bonded inuented-
ness beyond the capacity Of sinking
fund to eventually retire. The town IS
already bonded for $1,000 for the gran
oliIulc sloeMaika.5 wIncn have audeu 80
muen to It's comiorl. These bot.ds Uear
interest al siH per CENT, ana are neid Dy
two or taree parties, the par value VI
winch Is $IVv Iney are worth to-day sl-6.
Chairman boswell. OF the Flnahcsal Cons
mlllee. mas Il reputation 10 ma.ntaln as
ylgiIant censor oIStne toWns casn.
Il 'Ine tuesllon seems TO resolve Itself into
a iignt between the, scnools and ire water
supply. AS Il matter or fact. There arc
few pubnc school systems IN the coun-
try & IN .Wnicn inc curriculum Is better
or the corps OF teachers so good I've
teachers OF high grade are matntalned on
the paltry sum or ,,nout %l,svO. Il Graduates
OF the nigh scnool OF Ashland are able 70
enter kandolpn-Macon College Wlthout
examination.
The school census being taken only
every five years, and the population OF
Ashland having largely Increased Withln
five years, the resources from the State
for these schools is entirely out OF pro-
The following extracts from the pudget
for 1904. which VIII be subMitted at the
next meeting OF the Council, Will display,
some interesting Items 70 ne people o.
Ashland, hitherto Unpublished; !,
Valuation Of real estate,,..,.,,.,$26l,SS l "
Valuation OF personal property., 6s,ol2 w
Total resources from municipal J $40 -
taxa.lpm lions, for 1901: "
Interest on bonded debt,,S zoo w
Interest on town real es- - A.
sInterest On iail bonds ~, 40 so
Sinking tund.,.,,,,,,.,.., svW ~ 43s4
Public schools, ,,.,u.,,,, 400 90
Street improvements ,,., SO9 w
ST Gn eet m''.,ss.o.'.. SEQ 90
Police and lamps..,..,,,. io0 W
Salary chairman street "a \,
Committee Jordan2,w. po "
sh h,ns, 'fsaeu 1870 60 90
pt,,sy No vor fScott) % 10 846
6 pamt - otfices 20CO
t SSsttas u ~ Moor IL 90
t tiietnit, dana ri inent. is 90
me- y. ae sS I'm m ent . Is 90
f,nT,o G9i hp,1 ~ Town taxes. 500 90
sG Cos,ts.sione ~ revenue, 20 90
1 i.seilnnta axnsnses. ~ 5000
Salary night Waterman, 10Y W
10 balance necessary as
reserve to cover delln- $40
quents, etcn,f,..,.,,tt,'s % y 4, 77a a.
since the lntroduoton q e leqal oPh ave
fallen fail off about $500. Under the stern
measures a, OF Mayor Scott, crimlnallty has
been reduced t9 I, mlnlmnm ~ lon Hen
4hnjd'{ ,,ipl, carnival here. The town jail