The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-21
MAY ENJO|N THE
CHICAGO HOUSE
State Board OF Education Called
to Take Up Norfolk
Matter.
AUTHORITIES ARE FAR APART
Koiner Receives More Immi-
grants-offcers Return
From Vacations.
AUTHORITIES ARE FAR APART

The clash of authority between the
State and Norfolk City School Boards
over the matter of purchasing school
desks has reached an acute stage, and
4; looks as If it is slowly but surely
vending its way into the courts for
final arbitrament.
The question of seeking an injunc-
ton restraining the A. II. Andrews
Company, of Chicago, from furnishing
desks to the local board is already In
contemplation. and the State Board has
been called to meet here Tomorrow
night to consider the question finally
The Andrews Company seems to be
using the Norfolk situation in order to
get business from other local boards
Division superintendent in many sec
tiofis are receiving communications
copies of the opinion OF City Attorney
Duncan, of Norfolk, along with letters
containing this language;
Are You willing to pay more than
the market price for school desks?
Will you allow the State Board of
Education to dictate the style of school
desks YOU arg to buy and the price
YOU SIdil Jay. Nv ilNlF pu Nhii tdS Wy
best desk in the world (the one made
by the Andrews Company. as they
clainl) for less money!"
Conflict In Law.
1t will be recalled that Attorney
Duncan upheld the local board and de-
cared it had undoubted authority to
purchase school furniture for the city
schools. To a laymap there appears
to be a good deal of conflict between
the Constitution and the statutes as tc
which board has the authority 10 pup
chase these supplies.
The fourth subdivision OF section 13:
OF the Constitution Of Virginia provides
that the State Board of Education
shall select textbooks and educationa
appliances for use in the public schools
of the State" while the statute passet
in pursuance of this provision author
izes the State Board TO select text
books, school furniture and educationa
appliances for use in the publ
schools" 1t Will be seen that the ac
of assembly thus authorizes the Stat
Board to select school furniture, a
well as textbooks and educational ap
ipliances. 1t Is maintained by som
that the provision of the statute tina
authorizes the state Board to selec
school furniture is in violation of sec
ton 1876 Of the Constitution. whic
out of which ali school furniture mus
be purchased. must "be apportioned an
expended by the local school authorize
in establishing and maintaining sue
schools as in their judgment the publ
welfare may require
Was With MIR. BeIvin.
In looking over toe records 1t
discovered that the Virginia Schot
supply Company was chartered by II
III Corporation Commission on July LIT
and that the contract was awarded !
the State Board on June 15th--over
month before the charter was granite
This is explained at the departmer
however, where il is said the contra
II not with the Virginia School Su
ply Company, but with Preston Belvi
trading as the Virginia School Supp
Company. The officers Of the conce
ore Preston Belvin, president; II.
Hatcher, y!cepresident; L. r. Belv
director.
The meeting Of the board to-morr'
night will be a most important o.
and 1T is expected that the Attornf
General will be authorized to apl
for a restraining order against
Andrews Company at once
1 ux1eIl Captured.
A telegram was received at the CT
ernor's Office yesterday announcing :
capture OF u2zeli, the negro editor
Onancock, who was one of the lead
among the blacks in the. recent r
riot on. the Eastern shore.
uzzell was caught at Onley, which
but mile from Onancock. The G
ernor had offered $3.50 reward for
capture OF the obstgeperous negro.