Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-06

those capable oil apprcciatpp and being baneiilted
BY them through previous education; also to the
tabs'nient OF an Academy, term we and the people
like better than high school, and one OF the benefits
and blessings OF which we have realized in its effects
upon this institution ever since have awaited our
selves OF the privilege conferred by ordnance OF send.
ing five scholars annually from this school to the late
Academy, where by The prompt, udicous, and gentle
manly OF the late principal they were al once
placed and so ie themselves on an equality with the
most privileged. And here permit us TO add that he
in conversation with the President of this Board as
sured him that the scholars from this school were
certainly good, ii not better speers and readers
than those from any other which came 10 that instiu-
ton.
1t is consequently more especially our purpose and
desire to call the attention of the Co uncil to The urac
Teal evils which fear will result from the diversion
OF the present Lancasean school house om it's high
ly useful character, il converted into high school,
proposed by the ordinance, before The Council shall
have provided and put into successful operation such
hunter OF purely primary schools the wants OF The
different localities oil the city may reqairs. The diff
cuities which surround this course thcken at every
step, ana some OF them seem inSurmountsbie.
49, The ordinance says the committees may sub
scribe to schools in their Wardot course they mean
ebafty schools, or those sustained by individual be-
neVoience. as that most deserving one, the Tredegar
free School'-but tmust be remembered that is the
only one IN the city, and had received the unwearied
ana efficient exeron OF its benevolent founders for sew
ef years before, by the patronage of the Council and
SCHOOL commissioners II attained anything like per-
manent existence; me therefore, and great deal OF it
Lsl elase' before sufficient number of this kind of
scoois Cau DC formed Tor the wants OF the CITY.
Ind The primary schools of the city ought not to de-
pend 10 any degree Tor their continuance or efficiency
upon the uncertain basis OF the CO. operation of the b
nevoent INDIVIDUALS, the first of which is necessarily
implied, Ii TO them belongs the school, and the COM
mtee are subscribers, and the 2nd as result which
usually flows from division of authority in conductinr
business generally. And
Sd. The great difficulty of obtaining the eratnitous
services oil an efficient committee OF each ward who
would undertake the ener0us duty OF looking up and
placing at the schools such scholars by as NAV be
entitled TO their benefits, and the still more onerous one
of experimenting the progress and efficiency OF
said schools, and OF finally adjusting the pay for tuition
it'll reference however, to the effect OF the scheme
primary education, that part of which is caIcua-
ted in effect carried out 10 adopt the system OF pri
mary schools as at present i'll operat the State OF
Virginia by Legislative enactment, and coniessedly
predicatad upon the necessity Of the case and by no
means the choice OF its patrons we are OF the opn on
and would respectfully advise, that it would be much
better 10 erect building at in each ward, capable
OF accommodating Its wants, and conveniently located
conducted by Board OF Trustees in every practicable
manner upon the plan of this Institution which for
cheapness and efficiency must commend itself to the
friends OF education every where. In this, ALSO YOU
would give your hearty cooperation TO the school com-
mssioners for this city, who directed by law to pa
tronze in an especial manner all efforts OF DISTRICTS or
parts thereof, in erecting suitable school houses.
We of the propriety nay necessity, of
placing the facilities OF education possible,
consistent nth due economy to the doors OF the peo
pie; and readily admit that the present schoohouse
can by no means accommodate those children living in
the remote parts OF the city, more especially during in
clement, cold, or rainy weather. for the present. how
ever, having reference to the absolute wants of the
city, and due economy, venture the suggestion that
one school-house somewhere in the neighborhood Of
or between Duva street Church and Clay street Chap
81. would accommodate all the wants oil Monroe
Ward, while the Tredegar Free School, an institution
in every particular we'll worthy especial and fos
tering care, accommodate those children Of Mon
roe and Madison Wards, living to, and South Of
the Basn and leaving this Institution Tor the present,
and until the corporate limits shall be extended, to &C.
eonmodate the children of the Valley, Rockets and
Church Hill districts of Jefferson Ward.
The ordinance asks the opinion of this Board upon
the location Of the present school house, &c. We
think, when all the circumstances attendant upon such
school are taken into consideration, better location
could probably be selected OF easy access by means
OF properly paved sidewalks the heart OF the city,
at the foot OF hill, impossible to carts, Wagons, &c.
1t is quiet PEACEFUL and freq from the annoyanees u.
cident to such interruptions, and so remote from any
family residence, not to annoy any citizen by the
unresrained indulgence in noisy gambos during the
play hours OF school of2s6 hearty, cheerful playful
urchins; an item of by means small Importance in
selecting future locations for other schools.
We would therefore cheertuy and promptly res
pond to the consequentsuggeston fhe ordinance and
urge, as we have etoe done the proprety Of CIV
ing the premises all the aid of comfort and neatness
possible, which would arise from the planting OF trees
levelling, linng. &C., rendering it object of at.
traction to our citizens requiring its benefits, and the
admiration OF strangers visiting our city.
Something has occasionally been said about its loca
ton the jail. In the abstract, this true; but the
objections and nludclous remarks which have been
made when traced to their real source, respectfully
venture to suggest may be found in The njucioss To-
cation of the Jail and the greatly objectionable system
OF police, consequent thereon, by daily offending
the eye OF public morals and sympathy, in conveying
through our most frequented hosoughtares, persons
suspected Of crimes or miademeanors, and awaiting
trial, black or white. manacled or not, but most in
stances accompanied by crowd of iders whose NOR
bid curiosity causes the officers to hang their heads in
very shame.
Ii locality all, look TO Baltimore; there pardon
us Tor dealing in Names the battle monument Barnums
fashionable and splendid hotel crowded with strangers
the residences OF some OF BaIlmores most distinguish
ed czsns, occupy the same nay locality to The
city jail; the same in Philadelphia; still closer in New
ork; are they offended by such public spec acles q
No and why! Their lals JON their Court-houses and
all persons accused oil crime, or msdemeanor. and
awaiting trial, are taken thence Immediately into Court
without this public exposure.
10 this Dsiituion, therefore, the locality of the la
is not more Objectionable than to most others of our
city, II as much So and in common with our fellow c
ITEMS we hope il will be your pleasure, at your con-
venence to remove it to more suitable local ion, when
We and We think the citizens generally will be entirely
satisfied with the locality OF the Lancaserian School
House
la conclusion, gentlemen wehope we have succeed
ed entire satisfaction, by evidence which cannot
be doubted, in placing the Lancaserian school of the
city Of Richmond on equal, il not superior ground 10
any OF the primary schools OF this. any other State
in the three essential attributes OF all public schools
cheapness, efficiency aud popularity.
LIST Its cheapness, as proven by the disbursements of
your Chamberlain being S3 40 per scholar with teach
ers already paid rooms and accommodations provided
for larger number Of pupils. thereby reducing even
that charge
ID. Its efficiency evnced by the progress of the
pupils, specimens of whose pensniashp here pre-
scented as part OF this repor and which you will find to
bear tu comparison with those of any school; as also
by the testimony OF the Principal of your Academy to
their proficiency in spelling and reading.
And 3rd. ls popularity, tested by its average large
annua attendance oil 376 Tor live years, beginning with
6l and slowly but gradually increasing 40 al the
present time
We are extremely anxous to enlarge the sphere OF |
fitness of lhs institution, and to extend its inappre
cabc bene to all who may need thenl as lar as our
present arrangements will allow, and there is room for
many more.
AS patriots and guardians of the cy's welfare we |
appeal to you, each your ycinage and walks about
the town. TO look up aud send bring to this school all
such you may find needing education.
We make the same appeal to the citizens generally;
and earnestly invite You aud them TO visit the school