The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-17
HOUSE

The Committee on Counties, Cities
and Towns drew the South Boston and
Houston dispensary bills when meas
We're reported to the House yesterday.
The insurance tax bill went to the
Committee on Finance.
It was decided to elect civil justices
for the cities of Richmond and Norfolk
at 1850. The latter city has such an
officer for the first time. recent bill
having extended the matter to Norfolk.
The bill prohibiting any one from
serving as division school superintend-
ent unless a resident of the district.
came UP as unfinished business on its
second reading. Mr.. Love resumed the
floor.
He wanted. he said. 10 prohibit the
State Board of Education from tramp
ling on the rights OF the people. No
such body. he said, should be empow-
cred to put a man in the best office In
a county without regard to the wishes
OF the people. This was. he argued.
the most preposterous position free
people was ever placed In.
Should BE Resident.
Mr.. Love called attention to the fact
that II any officer moves away from a
county he vacates his Office. and to be
eligible candidate must be resi-
dent. He urged that the State Board
has no right to bring a man in from
the outside
He had heard the argument that the
dairymen had no appeal The people.
he said. had no appeal from the deci-
sions OF the State Board of Education.
He talked of the recent educational
conference in Richmond. saying that as
satellites revolve around Jupiter. so
the members OF that conference re-
Nolved around the board. When he
was a child he loved to play with
Jumping Jacks. which performed when
he pulled the string. The State Board
pulls the string and the teachers jump.
The president of the University Of
Virginia. In his address at the meet
ing, had voiced the Keynote as coop
Grafton. They had co-operated. for
when Judge Williams had introduced
his resolution early in She session to
look into the advisability OF abolish
ing the State Board of Examiners. the
cooperation became evident
Indignation Meeting.
Mr. Roberts said that when the SUI
perintendent in his county of Mecklen-
burg had been named from another
section. the people held an indigna-
ton meeting. feeling that such action
was reflection on the county. He
favored the Love amendment, so that
the bill would not affect the superin-
tendents alreadyNin Office but he want
ed to show the State Board that the
people do not want 1t to continue such
a. policy.
The remarkable work done bv the
educational forces of the State under
the present State Superintendent. said
Mr.. Cooke. cannot be denied. The pub.
lie schools, he argued. were one Of the
most important matters for the consid
grafton of Virginia. While he thought
the board ought to listen to local re-
II 1t could and the man
he asked If there was a general de-
mand for such change or II there was
only sporadic case or so.
Mr.. Oliver said he was surprised that
so many representative Virgnians OPP
posed the principle OF local self-gov-
eminent. lie was unable to find any
other case In this State where a man
who was nonresident could hold an
office. He believed that every county
has at least one man qualified for this
position.
Need Practical Men.
The qualification of a slperintend-
ent, said Mr.. West OF Nansemond. did
not lie alone in college education.
He should be man of executive abil-
ity, in touch with the people. Theo-
rlsts We're not needed, but practical
men were. He thought harmony and
effective work could not be secured ii
q man was sent from another county
over the protest of the people
This particular bill amounts to moth
ing, said Mr. Williams. of Giles. IT
affect the superintendent who
have beer. already elected for four
years, and whose terms will not en-
plre until after the adjournment of
tile Legislature of 1919. That BODY
could, in tho light OF Developments,
repeal this bill before 1t had accom-
plished anything at all. But there had
crept into this debate a very regretta-
BILE spirit OF denunciation OF one of tho
most Important and successful depart-
ments OF the State government The
State Board of Education, he said.
which took this action. was composed
Of men OF the highest type. when COM
pared with those Of any other state.
Extolllng the effective educational
work. In this State In recent years,