The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-13

before the finance committee. but the
lower grade Of public school had no.
body" s
EVERY student from Virginia at the
University of Virginia cost the State
-annuaiiy--y!rsln!a Military in
stitute students, from Virginia. cost
the State s1so per student, Virginia
Polytechnic institute. s142; william
and Mary, slea. Each public school
student costs the State 1891 per
year. This shows not that the COL
lege students cost more. but that they
are given more"
The public school system. Is in need
Of school houses teachers. ard every
other Ting that can be needed. and
emit appropriation" .,..-..--.--.------.-..,.-.-
f'Do you realize that we have In
creased the school appropriation by
$4,000 and that the auditor showed
that the natural increases of taxes
which go to schools will be 10000,
making an increase in the money for
schools $40, 0002" asked MIR. Wen
denburg.
Il took that into consideration re-
piled Mr. Mapp, figuring the natural
increase of taxes at 100000 And
still don't think the primary schools
get their fair proportion of the taxes
The institutions of higher education
get far more than their share and /
think 1t time to make things square"
surplus State money should not be
given to the higher institutions. but
1t should be given to the great mass
of people in Virginia who are reached
hx- NM 10 I
proud of the higher institutions and
an: ashamed of the rank taken by the
lower schools in the State. am not
striking at any institution. but am
striking at the system"
Moro for Common Schools.
FIR. Tavenncr stated that he was
strongly in favor of "the amendment
and II the State finances warranted it
re would vote for it. He wanted to
know, however, where the money was
TO come from.
He suggested-th the tuition of
the Institutes of higher education
might be raised. but Mr.. Mapp declared
he had no intention OF proposing such
a move, and that the money could
be gotten elsewhere.
III we don't increase the appropria-
tons for the higher schools. then there
will be plenty of money for common
schools" he declared.
Mr. Royal favored the amendment
declaring that the Virginia school sys-
TEN was top-heavy and that It was
ridiculous to build up q system from
the top.
Mr. Featherston declared he sympa-
thized with the finance committee in
the formation OF the bill because 1t was
best by representatives of institutes
of higher education. while the great
common school system was practically
unrepresented.
Il regret to object to any legisla-
ton which will hold back the insti
tutes of higher education because they
are doing a great work and am proud
of them But let their progress wait
If II is made at the cost of education
to the little children all over the State"
he declared.
For this reason" continued Mr..
Featherston, 81 shall support Mr.. Mapp's
amendment"
Mr. Wendenburg asked that the
amendment be not adopted.
IF we listened to the Mandy pamby
arguments of sickly sentimentality in
regard TO appropriations for schools"
he said, I'VE would appropriate all the
States money for the next half CEN
fury
~Do you think It sckly sentimental
ity to ask that Virginia children be
educatedg asked Mr.. Mapp.
mo. but the pleas that the appro-
priattons be increased are largely SO"
retorted Mr.. Wendenhurg.
II have asked for no increase" said
Mr.. Mapp. ~ only ask for a fair di-
vision
ooh, well, there is a division of opin-
ion as to what fair division is" re-
torted Mr.. wendenburg. Don't let us
go wild and mad over the education
question. We can do that over any
question.
Here We found real need for the
increase of Confederate pensions, and
yet we could only increase the PEN
sion fund by 20 per cent. The state
hasn't got the money to further in
crease the school appropriation. and l
hope this body will not favor this
amendment"
At EOS +. NJ. the senate adjourned
without acting on the question.