The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-15
House DESIRES
FULL INVESTIGATION
Upper Branch Refers the Paper
to Committee, Which Is Ex-
pected to Report Promptly.
Text of the Resolution
In Full.
ICHMO ND. va, Special

r c H NJ o N D. v A, Special
On complaint OF between 100 and
$50 citizens of Chesterfield county. the
House Of Delegates today ordered a
full investigation of the State Depart
ment of Public instruction.
The resolution calling for the inves-
tigation was offered by Captain w. w.
Baker, delegate from Chesterfield.
In lengthy petition sent to Cap
tain Baker by the Chesterfield citizens
several days ago, and published in
1uli by The Evening Journal, numer-
Gus items were set forth, all of which,
in the judgment of the Chesterfield
citizens, required explanation.
A recent investigation of school con-
ditions in Chesterfield placed a num-
Der of unexplained matters. the peti-
ton set forth. at the doors of the De-
partment of Public instruction.
II being intimated that violations
Of the school laws are countenanced
! ia various parts OF Virginia and upon
a request for an investigation made
10y superintendent ]. ID. Eggleston, of
the Department Of Public Instruction,
the House today unanimously passed
the resolution, though an EFFORT was
made by Delegate w. A. Land, of Not
! toway, 10 send it to the Finance Com
mittee.
Text of the Resolution.
is as follows:
Whereas. a number of representa-
tive citizens of Chesterfield county
nave petitiOned the General Assembly
Of Virginia, through it's representa-
yves, 10 request an investigation Of
/ the office Of the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, as charged and
set forth in a written communication
addressed to the members Of the Gem
eral Assembly; and, whereas the use
fulness and efficiency OF the public
In nfh
may likewise suffer on account of these
alleged violations OF the school laws:
now, therefore, be IL
Resolved. by the House OF Dele
gates (the Senate concurring), That
a committee OF five members Of the
General Assembly be appointed. three
by the Speaker OF the House of Del
egateS, and two by the President of
the Senate. whose duty shall be to
inquire and report:
II. Whether the Superintend-
ent OF Public Instruction has al
lowed the division superfntend-
ents I'm any of the counties of
! the state 10 alter or change
their annual reports after they
have been filed In his office as
public records, and AZ SO, to what
extent these alterations have been
! allowed and the authority, IL any.
for allowing the same.
1. ..f ~. Whether or not the Su-
! perlntendent OF Public 1nStruc-
ton has neglected any of his OIL
cial duties I'm regard 10 the public
schools of this State, and II so,
what duties hc has so neglected.
S Whether any property rights
= have been 1eOpardiZed OF money
lost by his failure or neglect, and
II SO. report the particulars OF
such transactions.
! - II. Whether the Superintendent
| OF Public Instruction has directed
the loan of any money from the
| Literary Fund without first as
certaining that the title to the
| real estate was good, and IL so,
report the same.
! "5. Whether or not, in view OF
| the general confusion now exist
ing in the public school laws OF
this State and the present conduct
|. of the same, there should not be
I a reorganization OF the public
school system, and If SO. report
u plan for such reorganization.
And, for the purposes that this res
| olution he effectually carried out. the
committeeSis- authorized and empow-
cred to- call witnesses. examine the
| same under oath, and require the
production OF books and papers. The
said committee Sh2l adopt rules for
1 the conduct OF the Investigation and
shall employ necessary stenographic
assistance in taking evidence. All
e .idence shall be reported to the Gen
eral Assembly. together with the con-
cnsions and recommendations of the
committee"
! Senate Refers Ii.
The resolution to investigate the
| Department of Public instruction
came to the Senate and was referred
to the Committee on Public Institu-
| tions and Education.
4 Senator Watkins made an effort to
have the committee discharged and
20 u. 49,
I the nate refused to acquiesce in the
I proposition. The resolution will prob