The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-29
BOARD OF ALDERMEN SEND ALL
PAPERS IN INQUIRY TO NEW
COUNCIL.
CAUSES NO DEBATE
INCOMING BODY WILL HAVE ALL
DOCUMENTS BEFORE iT-SCHOOL
OFFICIALS SAY CURRiCuLUM
~ GOOD.

Examination and inquiry INTO the
public school system aH prevailing
here may be further gone into by the
incoming council.
This was determined last night
when the board OF aldermen, at its
last meeting concuried in the resolu-
ton adopted by the common council
last week, providing that the city
clerk pass forward all the papers and
the committee report concerning the
recent inquiry into the system and
methods prevailing in the public
school management.
AS was apparent when the report
Of the special committee was pre-
scented 10 council, and adopted by that
body, there was no debate last night
when the question on concurrence
came up.
Criticises Curriculum.
The principle criticism made ia the
special committees report related to
the curriculum. 1t was stated that
there were too many "frills, which
embraced music. manual training,
and other "incidentals," which II was
contended by the committee TOOK up
time OF teachers and pupils which
should have been devoted 10 the 80
sentia is--reading, writing. arithmetic.
history. geogra ply, etc.
Another criticism emphasized by the
committee was the time taken by
teachers. under the rulings Of the
board, in promulgating methods in
vogue and which time could be more
serviceably utilized in training the
youthful mind for future usefulness
Other rules Of the board were con-
demned, notably that requiring the
teachers to take courses in summer
nf1 or q
sirable transfers could be secured. and
that requiring the teachers to devote
all their time TO the services or the
school.
Heretofore. or before this latter rule
was enforced, some OF the teachers
picked up" extra funds by teaching
music or performing other services IN
their own time.
Board Has Defense.
In reply to some Of these criticisms
Of the committee. the school board
and the superintendent contended that
while the system az whole WAS ny
no means nerfect. it was as near per
lection as could ne with the limited
facilities Superintendent Chandler
declared that he vas forced 10 doub.e
the duties OF some OF the teachers, ne
cause there were more pupils than
the number Of teachers,
He also stated. ia hts examinacon
nv the committee. that the manual
training departments were believed 10
be most beneficial to the pupils In s~N-
eral ways--one, II gave them an idea
Of mechanics which would prove OF
vast benefit TO the majority of chem
later and another benefit which ac-
crued was that II diverted and rested
the mind of the young child at stated
intervals. so that when he went-.o ms
books his mind was freer and more
susceptible
Or. Chandler said that individ-
ual teaching was the best lie did OF
believe in trying to cram stuff into
pupil whose nina or inclination was
combative.
Up ~ Next Council.
The action of the board last night
means that when the next founeiI le
organized, ali the papers in reference
to the school inquiry will be turned
over to that body. to he acted upoa
as they may deem best.
The report may be taken up by the
new council, or ii may not be. Ill de-
pending upon the inclination Of the
members.
The city clerk viii have carried out
the instructions given him in the
joint resolution when he passes up
TO the incoming council all the pape-s
in the case. This action does not make
IL incumbent upon the new council 10
even name a committee 70 consider
the matter further.
There was no surprise last rieh.
when the board failed TO debate the
question. for II has been conceded al
along that the resolution OF the COM
mon council concerning the re,,ort
would be concurred in.