The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1906-12-05
Governor Swanson Delivers
Address.

ly and generous TO the cause of
education.
The efficient administrator
OF the schools, the honest and
wise expenditure of the pro-
vided funds largely depend up
on the division superintendent
and trustees They select teach
ers, fix salaries. build school
houses and provide equipment,
an determine the length of the
school terms. Lar rge sums
may be furnished, yet, if il is
unwiselv or dishonesty ex-
pended, little good will be ac.
complished. The local authori.
ties of many of the communities
refuse 20 increase the appro-
priation for school purposes be.
cause the present funds are not
expended wisely and used to
the best advantage. People are
usually willing TO pay taxes
when they receive practical and
lasting benefits accruing from
their expenditure. Division su
perintendents should be selected
for their devotion to and eff
cheney in educational work.
Trustees should invariably be
men Of practical business sense.
of reputation and influence,
broadminded and patriotic, ear
nest in the uplifting of their
feliowmen and in the progress
of their state. They should have
ne partisan or selfish purposes
10 subserve in the discharge of
their duties.
My friends, whenever the SUI
pervisors, cOuncilmen and trus.
tees all unite in q patriotic ef
fort 10 improve our public
schools. then we will have am.
pie funds wisely spent and the
schools of this state will be in.
fused with new vigor and life,
and the day not be far distant
when our public schools will
rival those of any State in the
Union. If this harmony of &C.
ton, this union of purpose can
be secured this meeting will
have accomplished it's aims,
and we viii see the educational
skies of Virginia tinted by the
light of a new rising sun, which
as it ascends TO its noontide
splendOr will send sunshine and
happiness to the highest and
humblest homes of this com
monwealth. The last session
of the general assembly of Nir-
/ ginia did more for the public
schools and enacted more fa-
vOrable legislation than has
been accomplished during the
twelve years previous. If the
| local authorities will now pa
triotically II d courageously
supplement the work done by
the general assembly "a great
improvement of our schools is
assured.
One of our most urgen nteeds
is better school houses. Many
of our present school houses
are a disgrace 10 the state-un-
gainly, uncomfortable, poorly
ventilated and lighted, built
contrary TO all hygienic rules,
they are a menace To the health
of both teacher and schoear.
The last Legislature passed a
law permitting the school dis
tricts TO borrow from the liter
airy fund sufficient money 10
pay half the cost of erecting
suitable school buildings. The
money is loaned at four percent
and one tenth of the principal
is payable each year. The
school districts are authorized
TO issue bonds and borrow also
for this purpose. Thus at a
cheap rate of interest and for q
reasonable time, funds can be
secured to build every section
of this state comfortable and
commodious school buildings.
In addition, every school
should have good library to
furnish a good course of read
ing to the scholars and patrons.
The last general assembly made
an appropriation for travelling
libraries for the various schools
of the state, which it is hoped