The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-31
BETTER SCHOOLS
IN ISLE OF WIGHT
Great Awakening Of Interest
Among the People, and Liberal
Support Given.
rspeclnl 10 zinc Tlmes-pIspatct.l

rspccIal to The Times -Dispatch.1
cARRsViLLE. VA, May 3o.-Thc
closing exercises of the Carrsvillc
Public School were held In the town
hall on Tuesday night. a large crowd
was present, a number being unable
TO gain admission to the building.
Principal j. c. Rogers presided, aud
Rev. W. Thorburn Clark made the
opening prayer Tho exercises con-
sisted Of Rotations, dialogues,
charades, sons and drills, and the
children acquitted themselves credi-
tably..
DR.. Gavin Rawls, district superin-
tendent In q few we'll chosen words
introduced Hon. i. D. Eggl.ston. .ju-
orator of the evening. who delivered
an interesting address. He made an
earnest plea for up-to-date school
buildings. better equipment aud en-
1argement generally. He exalted nigh
ideals, and said that character was
the true object OF education. In the
course OF his speech he said that more
applications had come from Isle OF
Wight for Ilbraries than from any
Mr.. Eggleston has appeared before
our people. and he greatly pleased
them. He has consented to- come
again to make an address at an cdu-
catlonal rally to be held In the near
future.
The school here during the past
session was under the management
OF Professor J. C. Rogers and Miss
Ruth Daughtry. and the session was
very prosperous one. Much to the
satisfaction OF the patrons and the
delight OF the pupils. Mr.. Rogers con-
scented to take charge of the school
again for the next session, when 1t Is
expected that the school will occupy It's
new, we'll equipped, up-to-date build
ing. plans for which have been pre-
pared. The school has already raised
enough money to secure one OF the
State Libraries.
The school work In this county has
been making great progress. Mount
Carmel Graded School, about six mileo
from here. recently closed. after
very successful session. an enrolment
OF ia pupils having been reached.
Mount Carmel School is tho result OF
one OF the recent consultations in the
county. Extensive plans for improves
1nent have been made by the superln-
tendent. which will place Isle OF
Wight in the forefront as to the con-
soldation OF schools and the tran1
portation of pupils. A new high school
building Is to be erected this summer
at Carrollton. in Newport District;
seven schools will be consolidated here
under one roof. five wagons being used
to transport the pupils. The people
are enthusiastic. Mr.. J. w. Jordan,
former supervisor. gave two acres of
land for the site for the school. and
others have guaranteed board for the
teachers A gasolene launch will be
used to transport one school to Smith
field. In five years by consolidation
the sixteen school buildings in Wind
SCR District have been reduced to
seven. and in a few years more u
Still further reduction Will be made.
while in Newport District 1t is eS-
pected that two school buildings Will
ta-:e the place of the eleven now used.
The school term has been length
ensd, now being nine months in Smith
field District, eight months In Windsor
District and seven months in Hardy
and Newport Districts. The salaries
doubled in the past four years. Four
necessary amounts under the new lib
rary law, and claimed county and
State aid.
The citizens OF Isle of Wight arc
awakening to the fact that the people
should be behind the school movement
with enthusiastic support. Never be-
fore in the history of the county has
there been SO much interest In the
cause Of public education. DR.. Gavin
Rawls, the district superintendent is
Well fitted In every way for the re-
sponsibilities of his office, and the
county is fortunate in having SO ex-
perienced and able man in this posi-
ton.