The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1955-06-10
Prince Edward Rests It's Case


IN a public meeting at which The matter Of
public education in Prince Edward County
for the immediate future was discussed IN
a serious, calm, logical manner Several
shades Of opinion were expressed and sin
cerely supported by advocates. Jarman
Hall. with seating capacity Of over 1900
was filled, despite inclement weather By
show Of hands We Judge that easily 70 per
cent Of the audience were white school
patrons The almost unanimous action (not
more than Is contrary yotes) in effect re-
affirmed the position Of about 300 patrons
and citizens who appeared before the Board
Of Supervisors on May 81 and requested
that the school budget for Prince Edward
County be not approved. The Supervisors
disapproved the budget, and appropriated
the minimum, 80 cents per 500 valuation
for public schools az required by Virginia
statute, which means that public schools
in Prince Edward County can not be opcr-
ated in the next school session
Because Of this action, the school board
is without funds to employ teachers. Recog-
nizing the irreparable damage to the school
system if the teaching staff was dlssl-
patcd a group of interested citizens and
patrons Of the several white schools advo-
Gated the underwriting Of a sum Of approx
imately $20O,0 900 IN voluntary subscriptions
hv which the teachers in these schools could
have some assurance Of continued employ
mcnf during the emergency. The plan to
organize non profit corporation and begin
solicitation Of funds was overwhelmingly
81.
patrons and citizens present. This is now
a direct obligation Of our people. 1t is the
largest goal that Prince Edward citizens
have voluntarily taken upon themselves
That il will he complished we have no
doubt if the white citizens Of the County
share their proportionate responsibility.
The long series of events which forced
the action might be reviewed
Prince Edward County has long had an
interest in public education, expressed IN
1916 by the founding Of llampdenSy sydney
College; in 1873, when FarmWlle Metho
dists began "A college, which was the basis
for establishment in 1884 of Longwood Col
legc. the first state-owned Institution for
teacher training
In elementary education sem-public
schools were a legion but those who studied
under the celebrated G. G. Bass U874- 1890
still praise his pedagogy. Or. j. ID. EggIe-
Ston of Prince Edward County. gave his
life TO public education and was the FIRST
superintendent Of public instruction IN
Virginia serving during his career as pres-
dent Of Virginia Polytechnic institute and
later lIampden-Sy College. To recitc
these facts IL to show the educational CON
seriousness of the county.
Buildings were inadequate from the
beginning OF free public schools and not
until 1912 had modern school been con-
structcd for the white citizens. In 1926 the
frame school building used by the Negroes
since 1892 was replaced with modern
brick building. A second unit was added to
the Farmvillc High School in 1927. and
second brick modern school building was
constructed in 1899 for the Negroes. This
indicates the effort which MAS being made
To develop the physical property Of the
school system. Naturally. progress in the
Negro plants followed that in the white
plants, because an overwhelming majority
of the taxes were paid by the white citizens.
Immediately after World War 4. there
was an upsurge of Negro pupils in the
County. and the consolidated school build
ing at Farnlville was incapable of accom-
modating them. With the purpose OF meet
ing an emergency. temporary class rooms
were built to provide instruction with the
understanding that they would be used for
ten years. to make the investment econom-
lcallv sound At the end Of that time perm
4nent facilities would be provided Never
thelcss. Negro patrons became restless N
Their zeal for permanent building Pos
slbly Misunderstanding were interpreted
as undue delay
On April 23, 1851. without warning the
students Of y Mntap tI;rb School u.a1l,