The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-07

centum OF the cost Of tho building,
and that no loan shall be made to
aid in the erection OF q building to
cost less than $3.50. The maximum
loans are to be repaid In ten equal |
annual instalments and the rate OF |
interest Is only four per cent. This |
is particularly farmers law, as It's
provisions are not applicable to cities
at ALL
Considering the rapid increase in |
values. 1t Is evident that districts bor-
rowing money under this act WILL in |
some instances. be able to repay the
loans very largely out OF the intreas-
ed revenue that vii come to them
under the advancing prosperity OF
this Commonwealth.
The law, which Lam discussing pro-
vides that no loan shall be ADVANCED
until an abstract OF title Is furnished
to the State Board OF Education show
Ing that the property Is free from any
lien or encumbrnnce. and the State
Superintendent OF Public Instruction
must approve the plans and speci-
fcations.
IIr.-school Libraries and How to Get
One.
Here again an Impetus was given
by the last session of our General
Assembly by the appropriation OF the
sum sum Of $500 for travelling school
Libraries. the list Of books to be
chosen by the State Board Of Educa-
ton and the State Library Board
Some so or 60 OF these libraries were
started on their. rounds during the
past session. The number will be
Increased and the work broadened
during the coming year. This work
the Travelling Library Division OF the
Virginia State Library. who has an
office in the Capitol Building in this
city.
Local Library by Local Effort.
Taking into account, therefore
the State aid. the ability and willing
ness OF many Of the local boards to
| help. and the opportunities that wide
awake teachers will have to improve
their children. interest the parents.
and realize funds from school en-
tertainments. it would sem that the
problem of getting a school library Is
/ all.
Besides some Of the publishing
4 houses offer special inducements to
those undertaking to establish a
school library by means of which the
children are able to present the
school with small library without
other cost to themselves than a little
4 faithful effort, which is usually more
4 pleasant than otherwise.
! Iv.-The Rural High School.
The most important school law
passed by our General Assembly, In
rrcsnr years was the High School
4 Act. I t would be impossible to over
1 estimate the good effects of this act
and to tell of Its far-reaching results.
$4,000 year was appropriated by
the4 Legislature to aid in the astab-
lishment and maintenance of high
schools. This amount has ben dis
4 trinuted among 1858 schools. the max
mum allowance to any one school
4 being $500. 1t Is safe to say that
4 !ocn! boards and private individuals
Il have given three or four dollars for
A every dollar contributed by the State
Il to high school education. and est-
mate that the $4,000 laid aside BY
. the Legislature became to all intents
and purposes s25o,oo0 by the time IT
reached the great masses of the peo-
pie In its beneficient results.
Il V.-Bctter Teachers And Better Equip
"a ment.
All that has been said were better
unsaid and all that has been done
q Will perish or react upon US If we
have neglected the living force In
q schcci work. the teacher. The farm
s ers OF Virginia understand that tho
lltOuerHs era OIL HlSHa OFFICES Is IL FSouul-
ton that must. be reckoned with by
all salaried officials They canno;
; expect. therefore. to secure compe-
+ tent teachers unless they provide the
funds to pay them. The condition
that confronts them Is not to provide
in a charitable way for the needs ot
some lone man or woman who car
do nothing else and must teach; they
are seeking men and women whc
, have enjoyed educational advantages
, who understand modern methods
who are apt to teach, and who have
/ executive ability and force of char.
acter. They must go about 1t In .
, business way. Sufficient salaries. ut
, tractive boarding places, and com
!, Portable schoolhouses arc demanded
. by ladies and gentlemen of this class
, Our people know! that If they mr.
mot Forthcoming in Virginia. there ar,
: other States and countries where sucl
conditions do obtain. The compet
ton for good teachers grows keene
' every day. and I see. no evidence tina
8 Virginia farmers are disposed to sto]
Q building.
Q ]. D. EGGLESTON, JR,
t Superintendent OF Public Instruction
Il y.1,. Z H