The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1958-06-06
Here's The Situation

in regard to the school situation in the
country, especially the Supreme Courts
opinion and augmentation of racial sep
aratcness in schools, that few clearcut
statements may be reviewed Officials,
newspaper editors. commentators and the
people are expounding all kinds Of ideas
irrevela to the matter We are not clear
on some details neither is the Supreme
Court. nor the lawyers, nor the lawmakers
nor anyone else 1t approaches the confu-
sion in France relishcd by no one except
the communists. who thrive on confusion
everywhere but Russia, where confusion is
allayed by liquidation. While The United
States remain a free nation we can still eX-
press our opinions
The L. S. supreme Court ruled in its MAY
H. 1854 decision that schools in areas
whore suits had been brought could no
longer separate the races in schools solely
upon racial grounds.
A year later. May 81 1855. this same
court, remanded the suits to the district fed
cral courts for further decisions for putting
into effect the principles of the decision
sors of Prince Edward County. refused to
tax the people Of Prince Edward County
for the operation Of schools on non-sepa-
rate basis.
II appearing that there would be no pub
ic schools for the l955-56 session, the peo-
PIE Of Prince Edward County. approx
mately 400 white citizens met in Jarman
audit Grimm IN limo 10r5 apprnyol ~
action Of the Board Of Supervisors. and au-
thorzed the establishment Of a private
corporation. the Prince Edward Educa-
tional Corporation, for the purpose of
maintaining "a teaching force in the county,
and providing facilities for The operation
Of schools for the white people A total Of
$4,000 was made available to the corp
GRAFTON in negotiable pledge notes by indi-
vlduaS, and sum Of $4,000 in cash
Prince Edward people took this action
for tH0 reasons
First. many believed that the T. s. SUI
preme Court had usurped the rights and
power Of the Az states and had rendered a
decision. not based upon law, precedent and
the Constitution, but upon spurious theories
and PHILOSOPHERS of Socologists. at least
one Of whom was foreigner
Second efficient system Of schools was
impossible on any save a racially separate
basis. The white people. who pay 81 per
cent Of the taxes in the county were unwill-
ing to tax themselves for school system
impossible Of operation
On May 3. 1856, the Board Of Supervisors
Of Prince Edward county received simple
statement to the effect that the undersigned
citizens affirmed the position taken MAY
81, 1865. A total Of 1920 white adult cit
liens signed the affirmation. A declaration
of convictions was passed by citizens who
attended the meeting of the Board of Su-
peryisors.
SO far as Prince Edward County is con
cerned. there the matter stands The Prince
Edward Educational Corporation has OBJ
tanned the use Of temporary facilities for
classroomS, and has acceptances from pres
ent members Of the school faculties. plus
list Of capable volunteers. who agree 10
teach the classes.
On February |, 1856. the General Assem-
bly, Of the State Of Virginia adopted. resolu-
tions "nterposing the sovereignty Of Viz
ginia against the encroachment upon the
powers of this State. and appealing to Sis
ter states to resolve question of contested
power This resolution has not been re-
scinded. The question Of contested power
has not been resolved. though eight sister
states adopted similar resolutions.
The General Assembly of Virginia has
passed certain laws. namely, state assign
ment Of pupils, closing public schools tenn
rorarily if ordered to racially integrate as
signing complete powers to the Governor ia
reopen the schools on racialv separate
basis. and assuming control Of state funds
to be used for public schools.
Those who would force inter-racal pub
lie schools are directing the attack upon
Virginia. The Virginia laws are being tested