Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-07-10
THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA

The following resolution was
unanimously adopted at the Virginia
State Executive Committee OF the
American Legion at Richmond, Va;
June 81, 1920, in conjunction with
the District Committees of the
First, Third and Fourth Congress
sonal Districts:
Whereas, The American Legion
wishes to stand for all measures
tending to promote the best inter-
ests and welfare of our country and
Of our State, and
Whereas. the Legion recognizes
that nothing can be of such vital
Importance to the future of Virginia
as the instruction of its youth, and
that it is in the public schools that
the great majority Of our youth
receive their training during the
most formative period of their lives,
and
Whereas, the product of our
schools depends to a great extent
upon the teachers, and it is an unde-
miahle fact that the school teachers
in Virginia do not receive anything
like adequate compensation tor the
tremendously important work ;hey
do. the average salary paid to teach
ers in non city schools in 19l7-lS
being only S351.OO, and that paid
teachers in city schools being only
1868 90. and.
Whereas, with such a low scale
of salaries it is difficult if not i'm
possible in many cases to secure
reasonably educated and properly
trained teachers. and
Whereas, the constitution of Viz
gina at present forbids any add
tional taxes by counties and dis
trcts for the purpose of increasing
salaries and for school purposes.
and each county in Virginia is now
up to the limit allowed, and whereas
an amendment to the constitution
repeating the present law and allow
ing the limit for school taxes to be
fixed by the Legislature. and not by
the constitution has been proposed
and will be voted on at the fall cleo
ton, 1920. and.
Whereas. two other amendments
school SYSTEM will also be voted OF,
viz, one reducing the number of
school trustees and establishing the
ccunty as the school unit. thereby
improving the present clumsy and
unwieldly school machinery; and
the other removing certain restric-
tions on the compulsory school law.
and making it possible for the Leg
islature to pass wise and just
compulsory attendance law. and,
Whereas. the State executive COM
mttce Of the American Legion rec
ogniZes in these proposed amend
mcnts 10 our constitution steps in
the right direction. therefore be it
Resolved. by the State Executive
Committee, Virginia Branch. Ameri-
can Legion. that we do most heartily
endorse the said three proposed
amendments, and urge upon all cit
izcnS the Importance Of their pas
sage, and particularly that we urge
upon each post Of the Legion in Viz
ginia that it pass similar reSolu-
lions to this, and use its influence
IN securing the passage CT these
amendments. and be it further
Resolved. that the State Adiu
tant be and hereby IS instructed to
send copies Of this resolution to
each post Of the Legion, to each
member OF the Legislative Commit
tee of the Legion. to the Governor of
Virginia to each member Of the
last House Of Delegates and Senate
to each member of the State Board
of Education. and to all other part
les who may request it.
W. l.. Price, State Adiutant