Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-08-03
Mechanics Institute.

We understand that there is plan on foot TO
establish in our city one Of those useful associa-
tons, so common at the North and East known as
Mechanics Institutes. Some hundreds Of our best
citizens, principally mechanics, manufacturers
&C., have, as we are informed signiied their APP
proval of the design, and it is proposed to coll
public meeting at an early day for the purpose
of considering plan Of organization. For this
purpose the hall of the Smithsonian Institution
has been placed at the disposal of the gentlemen
who have interested themselves in the matter.
We are glad to hear Of this movement because
we believe that it is much needed here, and that
no place in the country offers greater advantages
for the establishment of useful institution of
the kind. We have no public library available
for the use of the masses; we have no reading
rooms adapted to the wants of the manufacturing
and mechanical classes we offer no inducements
to our apprentices, and the youth of the city
generally, to enter upon course Of self-improye-
ment to prepare them for the intelligent and
useful exercise of their callings .t
We have no centre of union among our industrial
classes-no institution calculated TO place them
in their proper position, to put them on footing
with their brethren Of other cities Boston has
its INSTITUTE; the AMERICAN INSTITUTE of New
York is known throughout the country and the
world so also is the FRANKLIN INSTITUTE of Phil
adelphia; our sister city, Baltimore, may well be
proud OF the noble edifce of the MARYLAND IL
srITuTB and Of the nobler objects it is
fully carrying out. And we might mention
Charleston Cincinnati, and q hundred other
places where the interests Of the working classes
are cared for by these excellent establishments.
Why should the metropolis of the country be the
only place without such an agency?
There are many reasons why we should make
IN effort to establish one As the capital of the
nation, this city is the centre to which al intel
ligence naturally flows oil portions Of the coun-
try are necessarily in constant communication
with us; the public works and private improve.
ments constantly going on bring here large
number Of intelligent mechanics; the city is
growing with unexampled' rapdity; the spirit of
progress is rife among us; and, as the magnif-
icent plan begins TO develop itself under the
hand of enterprise, we begin to feel the first
dawnings of city pride. The inventors of the
country are in communication with us also they
come or send here to secure their rights in the
productions Of their genius. The condition and
relations of our city, then, are exceedingly IA
vornble TO the establishment of Mechanics In.
stitute.
What are the features Of such an institution 4.
From all we can gather from the publications that
have been made on the subject the promoters of
the plan propose TO make it eminently popular
embracing all who may be disposed to give It
their support. With this end, the subscription is
TO be made very low--not more, we believe. than
t,oo dollars per dnnVm 1t is proposed to estab-
lish library and reading-room; a course of pub
lie lectures on subjects connected with the arts !;
a school Of design, in which drawing shall be
thoroughly taught school of chemistry and
physics; and finally, IN exhibition, at stated pc.
RODS, Of the industrial products of the whole
country.
One feature which it is proposed to introduce
should commend the undertaking TO the parents
and employers of the city--it is the admission of
minors to all the privileges Of membership except
voting and holding office. The schools would of
course be chiefly for their benefit, though adults
would not be excluded To the school Of design
girls might with propriety and advantage be adj
mitted. Such is the case in Europe and in the
Philadelphia school
And now, we ask does not this project com
mend itself to the appreciation of every good
citizenG If it does let us see a united effort to
realize the plan. Let all who favor it come TO
the meeting, and, we may add, any who are OPP.
posed to it. and let there be a full and free dis
cussion. We feel convinced there is public spirit
enough among the people Of our city to carry out
such design in manner worthy Of it and Of
than