The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-03-30
PLATFORM 0|
EGGL..E|::S!:T|.0|:|N OUT
#Princc Edward Candidate for SUI.
perintendent Outlines His
School Ideas.
ATTACKS PRESENT SYSTEM 4; {: u
He Charges That Exorbitant
Il Prices Are Asked for Books.
Other 1sst1cs.

Mr. j.. y. Eggleston. Jr,n OF \ Tarn1ville,
the candidate to announce himself self
for State Superintendent Of Public In
striction, has just made formal iai,-
nouncement Of his candidacy, and the
grounds on which he Is asking support
Y orthis honor. Mr.. Eggleston announced
Ills candidacy before 1T was known that
Or. J.5.w. southall would not be q, can.
didnte, and since that time two other
candidates have entered the field
Mr.. Eggleston addresses his letter to
the people Of Virginia, and in It 4 he
says: 4@
I ITO the People Of Virginia..
II desire TO announce my candidacy for
The office OF State Superintendent OF Pub,
lie instruction. subject to tho Demo-
cratic primary TO be held during the.
4 coming summer. IS s
The new Constitution provides that
8 the State superintendent shall be an
experienced educator. However broadly
this phra SC may be interpreted, the fact
Z cannot be Ignored that5an esscntlal fac
tor In the development Of every cxpe-
rIenced educator must include the train
\ Ing which has resulted from his work as
& q teacher. In addition. his cxnerience
n should be OF such n varied and sue,
i cessful character as to place him in In
y telligent sympathy. with every branch OF
Z public shoot work: and especially with
country school work. since our popula-
Z tIon Is largely rural and the weakest
Il spot in, DIR educational system Is the
country school. ~
las 40 my qualifications under this
provision. should state that since
Ia if,ey fr6f 10, c5o
& leges nnteen yenrg ago., 4 have been enc
d Gagged In educa tional work.. and during.
q this time have held the positions OF
! teacher. principal and superintendent OF
q botli connes and city schools.
Fl Duties Of the Superintendent.
By constant agitation OF practical and
Il progressive inca s&lfes, by Informing the
public through educational literature and,
addresses. by visiting every county and
city and consulting with the authorities
Z US to the reeds of.sthe schools. and by
carefully guarding and directing the ex-
pcndtrre OF school funds. the; superin-i
& tendent Is in a position to lead q State.
wide movement for the educationsof the
4 people. With these ideals in view. It
Z is to be regretted that public attention.
cannot be directed at once to their con-
g siderauon. ] t Is a duty. however, to dis
! cuss first certain conditions which ham
per the progress OF our school system.
The Book Question. y
II ..Thc .ancw Constitution provides that
y the State Board OF Education ,'shall SCI;
+ lect the text books and educational ap-
plianccs for Use IN the public free schools
4 OF the State exercising such discretion tis
4 1t may see fltsina the aelecton OF books
suitable for the schools ofsthes ties a nd
counties, respect lively. My construction
OF this provision. in direct contrast 10
& that OF the Department OF Public In.
Il struction, was voiced in a !; petition Of
the county school board Tof Prince Ed
Il ward, requesting the State board to se-
lect the text books for the counties. If.
4 the board had grpnted this request, and
similar one passed by an almost unani-.
nous vote Of the General Assembly. the
patrons Of our public schools would not
now be paying in the Increased price OF
II school books. the travelling expenses of a
multitude Of agents. the fees OF a host
OF local attorneys. the cost OF thousands
Of sample books sent to the local COM
Is nIttees. and other expenses incident to
the scramble OF the publishers for bus
mess. It Is oppressive on the poor. a
hardship on the avera sc wa go Garner, and
an injustice tofricii and poor alike that
they should be forced to pay from fIf-
ftecnstosf fifty per cent more for the same
school I books than the people OF other
States.
Waste Of School Moneys.
THE school law provides that the State
superintendent shall prepare suitable
registers blank forms. and regulations
for making all reports and for conduct
ing all the necessary business under the