The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-10
HOUSE GRANTS
An INVESTIGATION
EDUCATION DErARrsErr AND
cHEsTEnFIELD PEOPLE norH
ANXIOUS ron rRoBE
SENATE GOES SLOWLY
REFERS RESOLUTION. ADOPTED
ny HOUSE. TO CoMMfTTEE-AL-
=
LEGATION THAT DEPARTMENTS
HEAD HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT
SENATE GOES SLOWLY

tne QIHce OF the state superintendent
of public instruction was introduced
in the House yesterday by Mr.. Baker.
of Chesterfield, by request. from
something ike one hundred and TWEEN.
ty-ave citizens OF Chesterfield coun.
ty.
The resolution was debated for a
short time, but merely as to the
course II should take.
IT provided for a committee OF
five, three from the House and two
from the Senate to make full, fair
and free investigation. MIR. Land,
ueeiailns that tno superintendent OF
puui.c insli uction nseaed no Chain
pion on inc moor OF the house.
NOV ed TO refer the RESOLUTION TO tho
flnance Committee.
Alr. Wni,e declared that IL the
resolution Was 10 so to any com
iuitlee II should go TO Scnoois and
Colleges. but he could see no neces-
sity Tor referring II to any commit
tee.
MIR. Smith, of Essex. urged that the
House should not refer the matter
to a committee. but proceed to the
adoption OF the resolution.
No Intent to ltiock It.
Mr.. Land declared tnat he did not
make the motion to refer to Finance
Committee with any desire to block
the investigation, but because he be-
lieved 1t would require the expendt-
ture OF money 10 make the lnves-
tigation.
MIR. Montague said that there had
been several such Investigations al
ready. He did not think there should
be an investigation every time some
one offered a resolution. He declared
that Investigations frequently were
the cause of more harm than benefit
Willcroy For a Complete Job.
Mr.. Milieroy replied to the objec-
ton urged by Mr.. Montague by say
ing that he thought that both the
superintendent OF public instruction
and the people were asking for the
investigation and he thought the
House should grant it. Referring to
the other Investigations made sir
the Assembly convened he decias
that .if we are to do a little mere
embarrassing let's give them good
coat while we are at IT.
Mr.. Bowman, chairman of the
Finance Committee, declared that he
sincerely desired that the House
Woutd no. Teiei I'e naoeeSA ~ ''i'
! committee.
A vote was taken and Mr.. Lands
| motion to refer to the Finance Com
mittee was voted down and then the
original resolution to investigate was
adopted by an overwhelming majority.
Senate Refers to Committee.
When the resolution was sent to
the Senate 1t was Immediately re-
ferred to the Committee on Public
Institutions. Senator Watkins moved
to discharge the committee from the
consideration Of the resolution IN
order that it might be acted upon at
once. The motion failed and the reso-
luton rests with the committee, which
will probably report 1t back to the
Senate in few days.
The resolution sets out in detail
the charges made by the Chesterfield
folk and Is as follows:
Text Of the Resolution.
Whereas, a number OF representa-
, tive citizens OF Chesterfield county
| have petitioned the General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia, through its represen-
tatives. to request an Investigation OF
| the Office Of the superintendent al
/ public instruction, as charged and
| set forth in a written communica-
| ton, addressed to the members OF
| the General Assembly: and. whereas,
! the usefulness and efficiency of the
state NAV likewise suffer on account
| of these alleged violations OF the
| school laws; now, therefore. be 1t
Resolved. by the House Of Dele
gates (the Senate cOncurring). That
| a committee of Ave members OF the
| General Assembly be appointed. three
| by the speaker OF the House OF Dele
! gates, and two by the president OF
! the Senate. whose duty shall be to
| inquire and report:
II, Whether the superintendent OF
public instruction has allowed the
division superintendents in any of the
! counties of the State to alter or
change their annual reports after they
| have heen filed in: his ofiice. an pub
these alterations have been allowed
and the authority. II any. for allow
ing the same.
80 Whether or not the superin-
tendent of public instruction has neg
lected any of his oflicial duties in
regard to the public schools OF thia
State, and II so, what duties he has
50 neglected.
80. Whether any property rights
have been jeopardixed or money lost
hv his failure or. Neglect. and, H. IN.
report the particulars OF such trans
actions.
"a. Whether the superintendent OF
public instruction has directed the
loan of any money from the literary
fund without first ascertaining that
the title to the real estate was good.
and If so, report the same.
SO. Whether or not. In view OF the
general CONFUSION now existing In the
public school laws Of this State and
the present conduct OF the same.
there should not be a reorganization
Of the public school system. and II
so, report a plan for such reorganiza-
ton.
''And. for the purposes that this
resolution he effectually carried out,
the concmittee ID authorised and en-
powered to call witnesses. examine the
same under oath, and require the pro-
duction of books and papers. The
said cor,mVttee shall afopt rules for
the conduct of the Investigation and
shah employ necessary sfeno<faphtc
ASSISTANCE in taking evidence. All
evidence shall be venorted to the Gen.
e-al Assembly,. together with the con-
c,u-eors and recommendations Of the
committee.
y