The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-08
Movement Started Last
Might Meets With In
3 stant Favor.
PROPOSITION WILL
TAKE FORMAL SHAPE
Annexation Makes Better High
School Facilities Necessary in
Il Opinion of Many Members.
Question of Better Pay
for Teachers to Be
Taken Up.

Mr.. John j. Lynch, Councilman from
Jefferson Ward, created something of u
sensation at last nights meeting of tho
Council, while the proposition to acquire
the John Marshall house as part of
the hign school site and to lease the
same to the Bar Association. was under
discussion. He declared In his characters
istically direct and frank manner his
opposition the purchase and consecra-
ton of the entire block bounded by
Eighth. Ninth. Clay and Marshall Streets
for high school site and advocated iii!
stead the establishment of three high
schools In as many SECTIONS of the city.
Ihe proposition came unexpectedly and
informally, and has not yet been brought
of1cially to the attention of the Council,
but within five minutes the suggestion
had accumulated Il powerful nucleus OF
support and It's serious consideration
hereafter is assured Since the extern
sion of the city limits far to the east
ward and to the westward. and the dis.
tance that children of residents of those
sections would have to traverse in reach
ing the High School proposed, the SUI
burban ward representatives jumped at
the proposition in many cases. Already
probably half the body have expressed
themselves In favor of the plan, the de-
tailed plans of which have not been
formulated.
Mr.. Lynch's idea. in brief Is that the
city should establish one high school on
the Clay Street site. another in the east
ern section of the city, and another in the
western section, instead OF purchasing an
entire block in the central and narrowest
portion of the city. and constructing one
enormous building thereon at great ex-
pehse. Whether or not. since the issue
of bonds and the condemnation of prop
erty for the central high school Site tho
city can recede from its action without
complications remains to be seen, but no
one suggested any serious difficulties in
| the way list night The idea spread like
wildfire. and after the meeting .,ir. Lyncn
stated that nearly all the Marshall Ward
members and many from other outlying
wards had announced their advocacy of
the plan
Discussion in Council.
The proposition from the Finance Conn
mittee to purchase the Marshall house
and to lease 1t at the mere cost of main-
tenarce and under certain restrictions az
to its use to the State and City Bar Ass
sociations precipitated considerable dis
cussion.
Mr.. Cary In graceful eulogy of the
great Virginia jurist and expounder of
the Constitution. advocated the proposi-
tion as the best plan for the preserva-
ton of this historic structure at no cost
to the city as a. memorial to one of the
greatest men the State had produced
Mr.. Phillips opposed the plan, contends
ing that it would be just as reasonable ta
propose the purchase of certain old
carpenter shop designated by him and
preserve 1t as memorial to the craft
and n meeting-place for them,. as to puy
and donate it to the lawyers for a s!milaH
purpose.
Mr.. Richards suggested that the Bar
Association should itself buy the propS
erty and devote it to the use proposed, 4
1t desired to secure its preservation of it,
He endorsed the view taken by Mr.
Phillips.
Mr. Mills, a member of the Finance
Committee. announced that he had
changed his views on the subject some-
what since it became known that tho
property was desired by the puhlid
schools, and for the reason that he had
since learned that the schools were not
given hearing before the committee.
Mr. Cannon paid q handsome eulogy ia
the great oxpounder of the Constitutions,
and made a thoughtful and forceful ples
for the committee recommendation. Ha
stated that the reason the Bar AssociaS
ton did not buy the property was that
if It had done so the city wonld imme-
diately condemn it and take 1t from them
for a high school site. The lawyera
were willing. he said 10 do this, If they
had any assurance that they might reS
tain possession of and preserve thu
property.
1t was then that Mr.. Lynch expressed
his dsapproval OF the proposition ID
acquire the northern half OF the block
for school purposes and his advocacy Of
n plan whereby three smaller high
schools might be established Instead Of
one.
Final action on the recommendation
went over until next meeting
Better Paw for Teachers.
Councilman Gilbert *. Pollock. of MadiI
son Ward at the meeting of the Council
last night. brought up the proposition ta
Increase the salaries of public school
teachers, and forced 1t officially upon tis
attention of the Council by offering
resolution directing the Special Joint Comt
mittee on Investigation of the Pubic
School system to consider the question
OF the salaries of public school teachers
and 10 report their recommendations 10
the Council.
Mr.. W. Fred Richardson recently m.
trodced, and the Council adopted, a loifi (
resolution proposing committees any
giving 1t authority TO inVesusa'e htts
public school system
The members of that cemmittse have
been named. but they have not yet &c,
lively taken up their work. NO p1asa
os the school syatem has been more gem
ernlly discussed than that or tho ramH.
neratlon of teachers, some contending that
educated and professional teachers re-
ceive smaller remuneration for thsir work
than the street -sweepers or any other
employees of the city. There has been K,
stronS demand for recosnition OF tht
value OF the teachers services and ade-
ouata remuneration therefor. recently, and
already II movement Is IN proSress to
,nattar t,}ahnffGtv n the nj,