Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-09-15
Would They do Better 7
lLynchburg News

The Republican platform adopted 10y
the Roanoke convention contains this
plank with reference TO the public
schools
awe pledge ourselves, IL placed in
power, to free the schools from par
tisan control, to increase their effici-
ency by liberal appropriations, to fur
nish free books that every child in this
Commonwealth may have a common
school education, and TO administer the
schools honestly and solely with regard
to their efficiency"
Is there any reason to suppose that
Republican party could do more or
better for the free schools than the
Democratic party has done and Is still
doing?
In considering this question ii is well
TO note what the Democratic party has
done for the support and improve
ment OF the public school system in
the last two decades, during which the
Democratic party has had full control
Of the State government. A statement
furnished the Richmond Times Dispatch
10y Mr.. Frank Brent throws much
light on this subject. Mr.. Brent's state
ment ought to be read and pondered
10y every voter. 1t is as follows:
"The year 1885 has been selected the
basis for comparison, because in that
year the political control of the State
was transferred from the Readiuster-
Republican party. In 1885, when the
school population included all persons
between the ages OF live and twenty
one, there were enrolled in the public
schools 303.543 pupils, as against
366,635 in 1904, when the school pop
ulation included only those between
the ages of seven and twenty. In
1885 there were opened 6,575 schools.
as against S,S7S in 1904. The average
number of months that the public
schools ran in l903-1904 was about
six and "a half, about one month more
than in 1885. School funds raised 10y
county taxation in 1885 amounted TO
$267 ,914.62, while the came funds last
year amounted TO $500, 44O45. The
school funds raised by district taxa
tion in 1885 amounted 10 1897 300,
while the school funds raised by dis
trict taxation last year amounted TO
$757, 75S. 10, or more than twice as
much in 1885, The State appropriation
OF school funds in 1885 was S742.767.
while that OF 1904 was 1000, 069.l7.
The total expenditure for public schools
in 1855 was 81 ,424 ,53l 90, while the
total expenditure for this purpose in
1904 was 81 oil .O9320. The statistics
for the year ending July 81, 1908. are
not yet available, but enough is kno wn
to Justify the statement that there has
been very large increase in local
school funds, both county and district,
IN Virginia. and it is safe TO say that
the average school term is now nearly
seven months.
The appropriations for the educa-
tiSn Of all the children of the Common
wealth have only been limited by the
ability of the State government. AS the
revenue of the State has increased, 80
have the appropriations for schools in
creased. What more could the Re.
publicans do? Are they more solicitous
for the welfare OF the people than the
Democrats ? With more money the
SCHOOLS could be improved. Have the
any patent right method
for increasing the revenue without
overwhelming the taxpayers?
The Democratic party has done well
in fostering the school system, and de-
serves the continued confidence Of the
people.