The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-10

Ridley were appointed committee to
may deem best calculated to carry out
the Instructions as heretofore ex-
pressed at the ballot box"
The first test vote was taken in the
Common Council August 81. 1853. the
friends of public education securing
two votes-Delaney and Ludlow-to ten
against schools. From this time on
the struggle was more pronounced.
until 1t finally ended in 1857 In tue
triumph of the friends of the schools.
On the 9Th day of August. 1856. the
Common Council By vote OF 10 to s.
Summers, March and McClain-adopted
a report which, judging by its Ian
guage. was sufficient 10 kill the meas
ure. It was very-noIuminous, ending
as follows: Moreover the free school
system at the South is but an expert
ment 1t may not succeed. Is II pru-
dent to make SO large an expenditure
on measure OF at best doubtful sue
cess? Your committee think that If
the people had known that this would
have been the result of their votes
the free schools would have been de-
feated rather than adopted The rec
ord states that a very animated dis
cussion followed the reading OF the
report.
Many Struggles.
In December, 1856, the action OF the
Council In making an appropriation
for the schools was rescinded. and in
lieu thereof the committee was au-
thorized to establish one or more
schools in Ashland Hall.
On the 10th Of June, 1857. the school
committee submitted a report that un-
der instructions they had opened a
public free school in Ashland Hall, the
male department under the care OF w.
B. Micks, and the female department
under the care Of Miss Cuthrtel; that
they had contracted with the teachers
for ten months from May %, 1857
with Mr.. Micks at salary of $500
and with Miss Cuthriel at a salary
OF s4oO. They further reported the
schools in very hourishing condi-
ton. Samuel Butt was paid SIS for
altering some benches for the use OF
the scholars. and w. P. Griffith was
paid $24.93 for such books as were
needed Number OF scholars. 140.
at a Joint meeting of the Common
and Select Councils. held June II, 1857.
four commissioners. one from each
ward. were elected TO have control of
the public schools. These We're c. II.
Shield. A. T. M. Cooke, A. Bell and
z, Delaney.
These commissioners elected Thomas
C. Tabb to have the supervision OF
the schools. That there had been an
upheaval in the community before TIL,
next record was made Is evident
from the following:
"Comno on Council. 10th Of May, 1858:
An appropriation of $4,000, made by
the Select Council for the outfit and
furnishing of the public schools, was
concurred in
blocking the Way.
1t appears that following the action
of the Council In defeating the wishes
Of the people by resembling the appro-
pration OF $4,000 with which to pur-
chase lots and build four school.
houses. the four school commissioners
viz: c. IT. Shield, A. T. M. Cooke, A
Bell and r. Delaney. proceeded tc
build the schools and equip them with
necessary furniture. They elected Thos
G. Tabb as superintendent, and con.
tracted for the employment of sixteen
teachers to conduct the schools.
An ordinance levylng tax of SIS or
every free white inhahitant of twenty
one years and upwards was imposed
by the Council on the 10th OF May
1855, for the payment OF the salaries
of the teachers. This was later re.
|, duced to 81.
This is the record of the Common
Council March 10. 1859:
THE report OF the Public Schoo
Commissioners was presented, accom-
panied by statement from the Treas
urer Of the amount expended in the
| erection and fitting up of the severa
| schoohouses. certified as correct bs
Messrs. r. A, Worrell and William n
Turner, auditing committee OF sale
board, and on motion of Mr. Belote
the report was received and ordered t
be published with the proceedings"
Mr., Lamb presented, the following
resolution, which was lost:
"Resolved, That the public schoo
\ commissioners be instructed to tax,
Immediate measures for getting pos
session of the Norfolk Academy To-
the purpose OF establishing cantra
high school,"
First Pubic Schools.
The four schools established by TIL
IContlnued on Second Pa1el