The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-20
F AVORS KEEPING
THE INSPECTORS
Senator Thomas Points Out the
Utility of New School
Officers.
TO REFLECT SENATOR MARTIN
Programme Fixed for Tuesday.
Mr.. Byrd's Bill Fsvorably
Reported.

II think 1t would be grave mistake
to abolish the school Inspectors" said
Senator A. F.. Thomas. of Lynchburg,
before leaving for his home. I'VE are.
just entering upon a new epoch in school
matters in Virginia, and this is the first
step in more progressive educational
work.
I'VE are spending more than two mil
lions dollars per annum in the cause and
it is highly desirable that we bring the
best organized intelligence into play in
order to get the most effective results.
mo private corporation would think
of covering field as large as Virginia
without having It's interests closely
watched by It's travelling agents.
For many years the State School
Board have been managing the schools
of the State without adequate knowledge
of conditions. Under the old order there
was practically no way by which they
could get the facts before them.
with the travelling inspectors visiting
every section and reporting on actual
conditions the board can deal with the
problems in much more effective man
ner.
''The schools have lost much for lack
of comparative Judgment. One county
might have n most excellent system and
It's methods might be giving most salts
factory results. while a neighboring
county, for lack of knowledge OF these
methods, would be wasting the public
money for lack OF proper organization.
The direct effect of this general insepc-
ton will be to carry the better work into
all of the counties ana to produce some
thing like uniformity In system and
method.
wherever a new idea develops he
will spread 1t until all the counties may
have the benefit OF It.
Perhaps the most important work
they will accomplish will be the cultiva-
ton and development Of public sentiment
In favor of education This work will be
so far-reaching that 1t Is difficult to
estimate the amount Of good that may
be done by holding school meetings or
rallies, consultations with school super
intendents and trustees.
'.Of course 1t was to be expected that
some opposition would develop-this is
always true of every innovaton-but in
all fairness would 1t not be better to re-
serve Judgment until the inspectors shall
have had as fair chance to demonstrate
their usefulness2
II can but regard such action as a stem
backward and 1t Is to be hoped that the
General Assembly will go slow In abol-
ishing this inspection, What the school
system needs Is constructive, rather than
destructive work
LET US build--not tear down..
The Legislature will at 1880 O'Clock
next Tuesday proceed In conformity with
the provisions OF joint resolution TO
elect a United States senator from ylr-
ginia for the term OF six years from
March 4, 1907 Senator Martin. who has
been renominated in State Democratic
primary as his own successor, will be
reelected. 1t is not known as yet
whether or not the Republicans will
make a nomination. II they do they
will likely put up either Congressman G.
iSlemp or Judge T.. l., Lewis.
Senator Henry T. Wiokham Will nom
mate Senator Martin in the Senate, and
Hon. Richard H. Byrd. of Winchester,
will make the nominating speech In ahe
House,
1t Is not known whether Senator Mar
tin will be here or not but he will most
likely come and address tho Legislature
In joint session. M
The bill offered by Mr.. Byrd. OF Win
chester, to increase the salaries of the
circuit judges of the State to 5000 has
been fayorably reported and Is now upon
Its second reading. II will come up for
final passage on Monday, and SO far as
can be learned will provoke little or no
opposlloas Gan laaseNAuSs as Originally