Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-01-28
DOlNGS IN LEGISLATURE.

ucators of the State when he in
troduced a resolution yesterday pro-
viding for an investigation by the
committee on schools and colleges
to ascertain whether the State
Board of Examiners is of real bene-
fit to the State. The board is COM
posed of four members.
Each member of the board is paid
a salary of $4,000 annually, and
the travelling and other expenses
make the annual cost of the board
approximately $4,000.
Judge Williams himself does not
believe that the board is worth
that much to the State and believes
That the work done by the examl-
ners might just as well be done by
the division school superintendent.
Before the present superintendent
were appointed school superlnten-
dent in country districts was paid
so little that good men could not
afford to take the positions. Con-
sequently the examiners were APP
pointed to supervise the work OF
the superintendent.
Now, however, the school super
intendencies are held by first class
men who are worth the increased
salary paid by the State and who
can properly conduct the school at
fairs of their divisions. With these
men in office directly under the
supervision of the Department OF
Public Instruction, Judge Williams
does not see the necessity for the
board of examiners.
The adjustment of the board, it
is argued, will be along the line OF
retrenchment announced by the
legislators, and will save the State
SIS, 900 year.
Senator Kings bill amending the
law regarding the pension fund Tor
school teachers is more far reach
ing than the mere title of the pro-
posed amendment would dictate.
The pension fund has been in OPP
Grafton a little more than a year,
and it is no secret that the tax on
the resources has been more severe
than was anticipated.
The State of Virginia gives So
600 annually to the fund and al
public school teachers pay one pei
centIof their salaries. This has reshl'
ted in bringing total of $50, 900
That is not enough to keep the pen
sion fund ahoat, and may result II
scaling the amounts allowed unless
the receipts increase or the number
of benifciaries is reduced.
Senator Kings amendment
makes two classes of teachers. The
first class is for such teachers as are
incapacitated and who may desire
or be forced by illness or incapaclty
to retire after twenty years.
The second class deals with those
who retire voluntarily after thirty
years of service.
The latter class, however, must
come under the age limits which
are contained. Male teachers, who
wish to retire, must have reached
the age of So years, and female
teachers muct reach the age OF 81
years.
The reasons advanced for this i;
that several instances are on re-
cord in which teachers, who have
been receiving good salaries, have
quit work, retired on half pay, an(
many of them have not reached tn
age of fiftyyears.
Another provision, which strike
home. is the intention to readJus'
the amount of the pensions and tt
make the benefits more equitable.
In making the allotment to bene
fciaries the salaries for the proceed
ing FIVE years will form the basis
the teachers to be recognized OF
the grades in which they last laugh
in any part of the State,
A taxation bill of more than pas
sing interest was introduced b.
Delegate Charles A. Johnston, pro
viding for tax of $1,000, to b
imposed on corporations engage
| in the business Of giving informa
ton as to the financial standing c
merchants and persons in business
Mr.. Johnston proposes not only t
impose the license tax, but that