Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15
Public School Funds.

Public School Funds.
Under the laws of the state the superin-
tendent of public instruction is empower
| ed to levy for school purposes percent
age of the revenues Of the state. This
year the appropriation is considerably
| more than one million 81 dollars. This is
more than the schools have ever before
| received from the state direct from this
source. One-half this sum Is available
at this time and the remainder will be
ready by the first day Of next February.
This provides for the increase in the
pay of teachers. In addition to this there
are other sums which will b. devoted to
educational purposes and which will bring
the total to more than million and a
half of dollars for the grammar and dis
trict schools in addition to the high
schools. the normal schools. the agricul-
trict schools, in addition to the high
institutions. The revenues Of the state
this year are larger than ever before.
OF the total the white population
contributes considerably more than 50
per cent, but the colored school popula-
ton is approximately IS per cent Of the
total school population of the state.
Colored Voters Lose.
Judge Golf of the United States circuit
court has handed down an opinion in the
case of Brickhouse against the members
of the electoral board of Norfolk coun-
ty. Brickhouse is a colored man, for
mer voter of the county. He was quail
fed under the new constitution, but it so
happened that in copying the books a
bottle of ink was upset and his name
was obliterated. The officers could not
make out his name, and he was denied
the right to vote. He brought suit
against the election officers, claiming
damages in the sum of 5000. This was
n which nf
New York and James Hayes. a negro
lawyer Of this city. appeared as counsel
for Brickhouse. The court decided that
there was nothing to show that there was
the least discrimination against Brick
house or any other colored man, that the
evidence showed that the laws were being
administered with fairness and that the
complainant had failed to make q case.
There are other suits pending against the
governor and other officers Of the state
the contention being that the promulga-
ton of the constitution was contrary to
public policy and violation of the act of
assembly calling for the convention. 1t is
expected that these will be dismissed.
Temperance Wave Spreading.
Norfolk, Portsmouth. Suffolk and Lynch
burg are soon to experience a local-option
election. The petitions have been pre-
scented to the courts for the ordering of
special elections, and in Lynchburg the
order has been issued for contest to
end at the polls December g. 1t is be-
lieved that the city will go dry. and 1t
is recalled that few years ago the
vote was SO close that the saloon men
gave up the fight and agreed to abide
by any restriction that the prohibitionists
might demand. In return for this sur
render they were given high license,
early-closing laws. the removal Of all
screens. closing Of back and side doors
and the suppression of all trade with boys
and minors. There were some violations
of the law, and because of this the ques-
ton has begun afresh. the men who
obeyed the law being made responsible
for the violations by the people who
failed to keep their promises. In this
connection there is belief that a move
OF the same sort Is to be started In this
city at an early date, and If this is the
case it is believed that all the cities in
the state will go dry. The chances are
that in Norfolk. Portsmouth and Suf-
folk the election will be ordered the
same day so as to have the matter
ended for all time.
Hard Lines for "Johnnies."
Chief Werner of the local police force
stage-door Johnnies and the horde of
loafers that throng the thoroughfares of
the city, who have come to be a nui-
sance The orders to the members of the
force are to have these gangs move on or
arrest and send them to the police sta
tons. No longer are the crowds to be
allowed to hang around the stage doors
Of the theaters. Complaints by the score
had been made to the police by ladies',
and the matter was brought to the atten-
ton of the board and orders were at once
issued to enforce the laws. There are
scores of young men who frequent the re-
tail districts and stare at ladies and
girls and make remarks about them.
The Offenders are to receive heavy fines
and Jail sentences for persistent violations
A second conviction means a term on the
roads
Fewer Democratic Votes.
Returns of the late election are all in.
with the exception of one small county.
The figures show that Bryan polled some
1900 fewer votes this year than were given
to Parker four years ago. Bryan has a
plurality of 30. 200 over Taft, his majority
over all being $4,000. The Independence
outfit polled less than 100 votes in the
state and the prohibitionists polled 1,1O4.
Only 1.4S8 votes were cast for all thu
candidates other than those of the two
leading parties. On all sides politicians
are discussing the late election, the failure
of Bryan to carry one Of the many
'doubtfur states. and the reputation
OF the standard bearer Of the democrats