district; shall hold and manage the school property of the
district; provide suitable school houses, etc.; enforce school
laws; employ and dismiss teachers; suspend and dismiss pupils; see
that census of children of school age (5 to 21) is taken every
five years; submit to the County School Board annually an estimate
of the amount of money needed for public school purposes in the
district for the next scholastic year.
In cities the Board is composed of all the trustees in the city,
and its duties and powers are modified and enlarged.
The census of children is the numbering or counting of the
children residing in the district.
The scholastic year is the part of the year during which the
schools are open.
The District Board of School Trustees has the whole care and
administration of the schools in its charge, and is thus the most
important local body in the civil government of the State.
School Funds.
1. State Funds. The interest on the literary fund, the capitation
tax, and a tax on property of one mill on the dollar.
2. County Funds. Such tax as the Board of Supervisors may levy for
county school purposes; fines and penalties imposed on the
Superintendent; donations, or the income arising therefrom.
3. District Funds. Such tax as the Board of Supervisors may levy
for the purposes of the school district; fines and penalties
imposed on district school officers and teachers; donations, or
income arising therefrom.
The County or City Treasurer receives and pays out all school
funds.
For explanation of literary fund, see page 37, and for capitation
tax, see page 82. The tax of one mill on the dollar means a tax of
one mill on each dollar of the assessed valuation of the property.
Certain fines and other money penalties may be imposed by the
Board of Education or by the courts or county superintendents for
failing or refusing to perform certain duties Such fines and
penalties are added to the school fund for the county
When district school officers or teachers are fined for neglect of
duty the money goes to the district fund. Donations are
contributions or gifts from private individuals. If such gifts are
real estate, the income arising therefrom is the rent of such real
estate or the interest on the amount realized by its sale.
Teachers.
Must hold a certificate of qualification in full force, issued or
approved by the Superintendent of Schools of the county or city
within which he proposes to teach.
The law requires that a teacher must be at least eighteen years of
age. If the teacher has the necessary education to pass the
required examination, a certain maturity is necessary to insure
good judgment in the government and discipline of the school.
The value and success of all government depend largely upon the
character and ability of those in authority, and this is
especially true in the government of the school.
For teachers' certificates of qualification, see above under
County and City Superintendents.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who compose the Board of Education?
2. Name some of the duties of this board.
3. What is meant by nomination being subject to confirmation by
the Senate?
4. What are school funds?
5. What are by-laws?
6. What are claims payable out of State Funds?
7. What important work is done at the meetings of teachers
arranged by the State board of Education?
8. What very important duty has the State Board to perform in
reference to books?
9. What are the general duties of the board?
10. How is the superintendent of public instruction chosen?
11. What is his salary?
12. What are his duties?
13. What is the public free school system?
14. What is the extent of the power of the superintendent of
public instruction?
15. How often does the superintendent report to the General
Assembly, and what information does his report contain?
16. Who appoints county and city superintendents, and what is
their term of office?
17. Name some of the duties of these officers.
18. Who compose the School Trustee Electoral Board?
19. What are their duties?
20. Who compose the County School Board?
21. Name some of the duties of this board.
22. How are school districts laid out?
23. How are school trustees chosen, and what is their terra of
office?
24. Of whom is the District Board of School Trustees composed?
25. Name some of the powers of this board.
26. Of whom is the City Board of Trustees composed?
27. What is the census of children?
28. What is a scholastic year?
29. Tell what State funds, county funds, and district funds are.
30. Who receives and pays out all school funds?
31. What does the tax of one mill on the dollar mean?
32. From what sources besides the tax on property are school funds
obtained?
33. What are the qualifications of teachers?
OUTLINE OF COLONIAL AND STATE HISTORY.
1497. John Cabot discovered Labrador, the basis of the English
title to Virginia.
1585. Virginia was so named by Queen Elizabeth in honor of her
unmarried state.
1606. Charter granted to the London Company.
1607. Settlement at Jamestown.
John Smith, "the Father of the Colony," rescued from death by
Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan, the King of the Pamunkey
Indians.
1608. John Smith President of the Colony.
1609. The London Company receives its second Charter.
1610. "The Starving Time."
1612. Culture of tobacco commenced.
1613. Pocahontas marries John Rolfe.
1617. Death of Pocahontas at Gravesend, England.
1618. "The Great Charter of Virginia" granted by the London
Company.
1619. Slaves landed from a Dutch ship.
First Colonial Assembly meets at Jamestown, July 30.
1621. Formal grant of free government by a written charter.
A Council of State and a General Assembly established--the model
of every subsequent provincial form of government.
1622. Massacre of settlers by Indians under Opechancanough.
1624. Fall of the London Company.
Virginia becomes a royal province.
1644. Second Indian Massacre. Opechancanough captured and killed.
1652-60. Virginia under the Commonwealth.
1660. Called the "Old Dominion."
Navigation Acts put into operation by British Government.
1673. Grant to Lords Culpeper and Arlington of immense estates by
Charles II.
1676. Bacon's Rebellion. 1693. William and Mary College chartered.
Postal System adopted.
1698. The seat of government removed to Williamsburg.
1699. The Huguenots settle in Virginia.
1700. First Commencement of William and Mary College.
1732. Scotch-Irish and Germans settle in the Shenandoah Valley.
George Washington born February 22.
1733. Founding of Richmond at the Falls of the James.
1736. First Virginia Newspaper--"The Virginia Gazette."
Norfolk incorporated.
1737. Richmond laid out by Col. William Byrd.
1742. Richmond incorporated.
1743. Thomas Jefferson born April 2.
1754. The French and Indian War begun. Battle of Great Meadows.
French defeated by Colonists under George Washington.
1755. Braddock defeated in his attack on Fort Duquesne.
1758. Fort Duquesne captured by English and Virginia troops.
1763. "The Parsons' Case." Patrick Henry's Famous Speech.
End of the French and Indian War.
1764. Battle of Point Pleasant (now in West Virginia).
1765. Resolutions of the House of Burgesses against taxation
without representation.
1765. The British Parliament passes the Stamp Act.
1766. Stamp Act repealed by Parliament.
1767. Parliament imposes a tax on tea and other articles.
1769. Virginia resolves passed by the House of Burgesses, May 16.
1774. The first Continental Congress met at Philadelphia,
September 9.
1775. Convention at Richmond "to organize a provincial form of
government and a plan of defense for the Colony."
End of royal government in Virginia. Committee of Safety
appointed.
1776. Constitution and Bill of Rights adopted.
Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson signed in
Philadelphia, July 4.
1779. The seat of government removed to Richmond.
Conquest of the Northwest Territory by Col. George Rogers Clarke.
1780. Virginia troops defeat the British at King's Mountain,
October 7.
1781. Richmond captured by British under Benedict Arnold, in
January.
Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, October 19.
Cession of the Northwest Territory to the Federal Government.
1785. Act of Religious Freedom.
1787. Constitution of the United States adopted in convention of
which George Washington was President.
1788. Ratifies the Constitution of the United States.
1789. Washington inaugurated first President of the United States,
April 30.
1799. George Washington died December 14.
1807. Robert E. Lee born January 19.
1819. University of Virginia established.
1826. Thomas Jefferson died July 1.
1830. Constitution of the State amended.
1852. Constitution of the State again amended.
1859. John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry.
1861. Ordinance of Secession passed by the Convention.
Richmond the Capital of the Southern Confederacy.
Confederate Congress assembled at Richmond, July 20.
First battle of Manassas, July 21.
1861-65. Virginia the principal battle ground of the "War between
the States."
1862. Battle between the "Virginia" and the "Monitor," March 9.
1863. West Virginia formed and admitted to the Union.
1865. Provisional Government established in Virginia, May 9.
1869. Constitution amended.
Virginia readmitted to the Union.
1870. State enacts a liberal system of public education.
Robert E. Lee died October 12.
1881. Centennial of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
1902. New Constitution in force July 10.
COLONIAL GOVERNORS.
1607. Capt. Edward Maria Wingfield, President of the Council under
first Charter of the London Company.
Capt. John Ratcliffe, President of the Council.
1608. Capt. John Smith, President of the Council.
1609. Sir George Percy, Acting President of the Council.
1610. Lord Delaware, first Governor under new Charter of 1609. Sir
Thomas Gates, Lieutenant-Governor under Lord Delaware.
1611. Sir Thomas Dale, High Marshal under Lord Delaware.
1616. Sir George Yeardley, Lieutenant-Governor under Lord
Delaware.
1617. Samuel Argall, Lieutenant-Governor under Lord Delaware.
1619. Sir George Yeardley, first Governor under the "Great Charter
of Virginia" granted by the London Company.
1621. Sir Francis Wyatt, second Governor under the "Great
Charter." Put into effect the new constitution.
1626. Sir George Yeardley, third Governor under the "Great
Charter."
1627. Francis West, fourth Governor under the "Great Charter."
1629. John Potts, fifth Governor under the "Great Charter."
Sir John Harvey, first Royal Governor, appointed by King Charles
I.
1635. John West, acting Governor, in place of Harvey deposed by
the people.
1636. Sir John Harvey, reinstated by the King.
1639. Sir Francis Wyatt, Royal Governor.
1642. Sir William Berkeley, Royal Governor. Deposed by the
Commonwealth in 1652.
1652. Richard Bennett, first Governor under the Commonwealth.
1655. Edward Digges, second Governor under the Commonwealth.
1656. Samuel Matthews, third Governor under the Commonwealth.
1660. Sir William Berkeley elected by the House of Burgesses and
reappointed by Charles II. after the Restoration.
1661. Col. Francis Moryson, Acting Governor.
1663. Sir William Berkeley reappointed and continued to act as
Governor until 1677.
1675. Lord Culpeper appointed Royal Governor for life by Charles
II., but did not act as such until 1680.
1677. Sir Herbert Jeffreys, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting
Governor in absence of Lord Culpeper.
1678. Sir Henry Chickeley, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor
in absence of Lord Culpeper.
1684. Lord Howard of Effingham appointed Governor to succeed Lord
Culpeper, deposed in 1683.
1688. Nathaniel Bacon, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1690. Francis Nicholson, first Royal Governor appointed after the
Revolution of 1688.
1692. Sir Edmund Andros, Royal Governor. Founded William and Mary
College.
1698. Francis Nicholson, Royal Governor. Removed capital to
Williamsburg.
1704. George Hamilton Douglas, Earl of Orkney, Royal Governor.
1705. Edward Scott, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1706. Edmund Jennings, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1710. Robert Hunter, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
Alexander Spotswood, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1722. Hugh Drysdale, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1726. Robert Carter, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1727. William Gooch, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1737. William A. Keppel, Earl of Albemarle, Royal Governor.
1749. John Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1750. Thomas Lee, Lieutenant-Governor. Died immediately after his
appointment.
Louis Burwell, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1752. Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor. First explored the
Valley.
1756. John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, Royal Governor.
Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenaut-Governor and Acting Governor.
1758. John Blair, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
Francis Fauqmer, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1763. Jeffrey Amherst, Lord Amherst, Royal Governor.
1768. John Blair, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
Norborne Berkeley, Lord Botetourt, Royal Governor.
1770. William Nelson, Lieutenant-Governor and Acting Governor.
1772. Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor until the Revolution.
1775. Edmund Pendleton, President of the Committee of Safety.
STATE GOVERNORS.
1776-1779. Patrick Henry.
1779-1781. Thomas Jefferson.
1781. Thomas Nelson.
1781-1784. Benjamin Harrison.
1784-1786. Patrick Henry.
1786-1788. Edmund Randolph.
1788-1791. Beverly Randolph.
1791-1794. Henry Lee.
1794-1796. Robert Brooks.
1796-1799. James Wood.
1799-1802. James Monroe.
1802-1805. John Page
1805-1808. William H. Cabell.
1808-1811. John Tyler.
1811. James Monroe.
1811-1812. George William Smith, Lieutenant-Governor.
1812-1814. James Barbour.
1814-1816. Wilson Cary Nichols.
1816-1819. James P. Preston.
1819-1822. Thomas M. Randolph.
1822-1825. James Pleasants.
1825-1827. John Tyler.
1827-1830. William B. Giles.
1830-1834. John Floyd.
1834-1836. Littleton Waller Tazewell.
1836-1837. Wyndham Robertson, Lieutenant-Governor.
1837-1840. David Campbell.
1840-1841. Thomas Walker Gilmer.
1841. John M. Patton.
1841-1842. John Rutherford. Lieutenant-Governor.
1842-1843. John M. Gregory.
1843-1846. James McDowell.
1846-1849. William Smith.
1849-1852. John B. Floyd.
1852-1856. Joseph Johnson.
1856-1860. Henry Alexander Wise.
1860-1864. John Letcher.
1864-1865. William Smith.
1865-1868. Francis H. Pierpont.
1868-1869. Henry H. Wells.
1869-1873. Gilbert C. Walker.
1873-1877. James L. Kempner.
1877-1881. Frederick W. M. Holliday.
1881-1885. William E. Gameron.
1885-1889. Fitzhugh Lee.
1889-1893. Philip W. McKinney.
1893-1897. Charles T. O'Ferrall.
1897. J. Hoge Tyler.
1901. A. J. Montague.
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.
Whereas, pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of Virginia,
approved March the fifth, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred, the question, "shall there be a convention to revise the
Constitution and amend the same?" was submitted to the electors of
the State of Virginia, qualified to vote for members of the
General Assembly, at an election held throughout the State on the
fourth Thursday in May, in the year nineteen hundred, at--which
election a majority of the electors so qualified voting at said
election did decide in favor of a convention for such purpose;
and,
Whereas, the General Assembly at its next session did provide by
law for the election of delegates to such convention, in pursuance
whereof the members of this Convention were elected by the good
people of Virginia, to meet in convention for such purpose.
We, therefore, the people of Virginia, so assembled in Convention
through our representatives, with gratitude to God for His past
favors, and invoking His blessings upon the result of our
deliberations, do ordain and establish the following revised and
amended Constitution for the government of the Commonwealth:
ARTICLE I.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, made by the representatives of the good
people of Virginia assembled in full and free Convention; which
rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the Basis mid
Foundation of Government.
SECTION 1. That all men are by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they
enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact,
deprive or divest their posterity, namely, the enjoyment of life
and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
SEC. 2. That all power is vested in, and consequently derived
from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and
servants, and at all times amenable to them.
SEC. 3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the
common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or
community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that
is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of
happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the
danger of maladministration; and, whenever any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the
community hath an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right
to reform, alter or abolsh it, in such manner as shall be judged
most conducive to the public weal.
SEC. 4. That no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive or
separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in
consideration of public services, which not being descendible,
neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator or judge to be
hereditary.
SEC 5 That the legislative executive, and judicial departments of
the State should be separate and distinct, and that the members
thereof may be restrained from oppression, by feeling and
participating the burthens of the people, they should, at fixed
periods, be reduced to a private station, return into that body
from which they were originally taken, and the vacancies be
supplied by regular elections, in which all or any part of the
former members shall be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws
may direct
SEC 6 That all elections should be free, and that all men, having
sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and
attachment to, the community, have the right of suffrage, and can
not be taxed, or deprived of, or damaged in, their property for
public uses without their own consent, or that of their
representatives duly elected, or bound by any law to which they
have not, in like manner, assented for the public good
SEC 7 That all power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws,
by any authority, without consent of the representatives of the
people, is injurious to their rights, and ought not to be
exercised
SEC 8 That no man shall be deprived of his life, or liberty,
except by the law of the land, or the judgment of his peers, nor
shall any man be compelled in any criminal proceeding to give
evidence against himself, nor be put twice in jeopardy for the
same offence, but an appeal may be allowed to the Commonwealth in
all prosecutions for the violation of a law relating to the state
revenue
That in all criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand the
cause and nature of his accusation, to be confronted with the
accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to
a speedy trial by an impartial jury of his vicinage, without whose
unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty, provided, however,
that in any criminal case, upon a plea of guilty, tendered in
person by the accused, and with the consent of the attorney for
the Commonwealth, entered of record, the court shall, and in a
prosecution for an offence not punishable by death, or confinement
in the penitentiary, upon a plea of not guilty, with the consent
of the accused, given in person and of the attorney for the
Commonwealth, both entered of record, the court, in its
discretion, may hear and determine the case, without the
intervention of a jury, and, that the General Assembly may provide
for the trial of offences not punishable by death, or confinement
in the penitentiary, by a justice of the peace, without a jury,
preserving in all such cases, the right of the accused to an
appeal to and trial by jury in the circuit or corporation court,
and may also provide for juries consisting of less than twelve,
but not less than five, for the trial of offences not punishable
by death, or confinement in the penitentiary, and may classify
such cases, and prescribe the number of jurors for each class
SEC 9 That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted
SEC 10 That general warrants, whereby an officer or messenger may
be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of a fact
committed, or to seize any person or persons not named or whose
offence is not particularly described and supported by evidence,
are grievous and oppressive, and ought not to be granted
SEC 11 That no person shall be deprived of his property without
due process of law, and in controversies respecting property, and
in suits between man and man, trial by jury is preferable to any
other and ought to be held sacred, but the General Assembly may
limit the number of jurors for civil cases in circuit and
corporation courts to not less than five in cases now cognizable
by justices of the peace, or to not less than seven in cases not
so cognizable
SEC 12 That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks
of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic
governments, and any citizen may freely speak, write and publish
his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of
that right
SEC 13 That a well regulated milita, composed of the body of the
people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural and safe defence
of a free state, that standing armies, in time of peace, should be
avoided as dangerous to liberty, and that in all cases the
military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by,
the civil power
SEC 14 That the people have a right to uniform government, and,
therefore, that no government separate from, or independent of,
the government of Virginia, ought to be erected or established
within the limits therof
SEC 15 That no free government, or the blessing of liberty, can be
preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice,
moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by frequent
recurrence to fundamental principles
SEC 16 That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and
the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and
conviction, not by force or violence, and, therefore, all men are
equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to
the dictates of conscience, and that it is the mutual duty of all
to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity towards each
other
SEC 17 The rights enumerated in this Bill of Rights shall not be
construed to limit other rights of the people not therein
expressed.
ARTICLE II
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
SEC 18 Every male citizen of the United States, twenty one years
of age, who has been a resident of the State two years, of the
county, city, or town one year, and of the precinct in which he
offers to vote, thirty days, next preceding the election in which
he offers to vote, has been registered, and has paid his state
poll taxes, as hereinafter required, shall be entitled to vote for
members of the General Assembly and all officers elective by the
people; but removal from one precinct to another, in the same
county, city or town shall not deprive any person of his right to
vote in the precinct from which he has moved, until the expiration
of thirty days after such removal.