The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-02

not /, progressive state In the Union that
does not make generous appropriations
for travelling and school libraries. Wo
can we'll afford to devote a part OF our
work. This will largely contribute III
making more successful nnd efficient
our primary schools.
Library Potential Force.
rlc state Library has become n po-
tcutIal force In educational ana literary
work and deserves liberal aid
IT'S recent publication Of Che Journal
Of the House of Burgesses Is universally
conceded to be the most attractive and
important historical work of the year
The present funds appropriated for It's
| maintenance are both precatlotis and in
sufficient An appropriation should be
made to enlarge the room facilities. to In
crease the number and the compensation
OF some of the employees. and To make an
annual purchase of books. The plans and
| purposes are for this library to be dis
! tinctly n State institution. dispensing It's
| benefits to the people OF the whole State,
| and giving the residents outside of Rich
mond tile same library facilities and priv
| IIeges MS are possessed by those who re-
side within It's confines. Properly sus-
tanned, the State Library can perform
| great and valuable scrvice.
Another educational need is Increased
facilities to colleges engaged in normal
| work so that the schools may be pro-
| vided with more teachers, who are eff
cient and capable, and purpose to make
| teaching their life profession. These in
stitutions are Indispensable TO our edu-
| cational system. and should be substan-
TALLY sustained and continually improved.
| Our state institutions engaged in indus-
trial education arc performing n splen-
| did work, dispensing rneasureless benefits
| to the great masses OF the people and
| splendidly cduipping their students for
| practical and successful prosecution OF
the varied Industries OF modern civiliza-
| ton. The great attendance at these In
situations establish that they are fur
nishing an efficient and practical educa-
ton in accordance with the needs and
| spirit OF the age. They deserve and
lave richly earned liberal aid.
| Our State University and colleges en-
T, gagged in higher education are justly our
| pride, forming the head OF our cduca-
tional system, and should be generously
| supported in their large fields of useful
ness.
We must also recognize that some OF
our asylums and other State institutions
are in need OF appropriations for the
Improvement and erection OF buildings to
furnish additional accommodations and
for the purpose OF sanitation and more
efficient and economical administration.
Another matter for our consideration
and one Indispensable to our material
welfare and progress Is improvement or
the public roads and highways. The best
interest of both city and country de-
mands this. Good public roads would
greatly enhance the value OF farm lands
and products, and make country life more
desirable and delightful. They would also
greatly increase the trade and business
of the towns and cities. The extension
OF rural delivery in the country further
increases the necessity fos gGSd roads.
The highest taxes paid by u.s. exceeding
those imposed either by the Federal or
State government, are the mud taxes ex-
torted when We travel on wretched coun-
try roads during the winter months.
These taxes should be abolished. But
public roads cannot be constructed or
improved by pleasing platitudes or elo-
quent declarations. Large expenditure
of money and labor is required. To Il
thoughtful person it Is evident that the
largest part of this must be furnished
by the counties and local communities
affected. 49,
The aid extended by the State can only
be supplementary to the work and ef-
forts of the local authorities. AS far as
the revenues and the financial condition
of the State will permit. she should Will
ingly and generously aid in the better
ment OF the public roads and highways.
But to appropriate large sums of money
on hastily considered and experimental
plans, with no experienced department
organized for its expenditure. would be
wasteful. productive of very little good,
and retard. more than advance, the move
fpent for the improvement of roads. The
State should first create a Department
of Roads, equip 1t with scientific men cX-
perienced in road constructions. and let
Il this department subsequently submit n
practical and comprehensive plan. The
State could then extend its aid with the
assurance that its money would be in
telligently spent. and accomplish good re-
|; suits A department thus constituted
, could constantly be utilized by the coun-
ties: could furnish information how to
construct roads scientifically and success
fully; could supervise their construction
when requested; could arouse an interest
in good roads throughout the State. and
induce the local authorities to undertake
plans of permanent Improvement. The
money annually expended upon roads in
this State. IL scientifically used, would
give us. fairly good roads, This depart
J ment could furnish the knowledge and
experience, make suggestions. and thus
save much of the present waste.
Work Convicts Upon Roads.
At once, as far as existing contracts
will permit, the convicts In our peniten-
tiary should be utilized upon our public
roads. Many can profitably be employed
by the counties in working directly upon
the roads Others, 1t seems to me, could