The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-13
and twenty-five scholars and three teach


erS.
1t is very obvious that the separation OF
these scholars, and the assignment of al
those of the same or nearly equal attain.
ments TO distinct rooms respectively, would
enable each teacher to instruct forty scho.
lars, all studying the same lesson at the
same time, with a facility that cannot be
attained in a large room where there is q
number of classes constantly requiring at
tention. All the female scholars are now
in one room: all the male scholars are il
ttcO.
An additional teacher in the female de-
partmcnt, and three rooms, would give us
three effective schools, into one Of which
nearly every scholar coming to the shcOo
might be placed.
In the male department an additional
room, without an additional teacher
would give us likewise three schools, OIL
classes, with similar advantages.
1t is very obvious that the close contact
of teachers and scholars afforded by these
separate rooms, and the uniformity of stu.
dies, rendering the explanations and In
structions of the teachers applicable to all
present at the same time, would produce
the most beneficial results. The mind o
the teacher, relieved of the physical ont.
lay of strength required in miscel,
lancouS school, is enabled to act will
more vigor in the important matter of i'm.
parting knowledge, while great advantage,
are obtained in promoting generous emu,
lation among scholars of the same grade
and the constant prospect to the lower
classes of promotion to the higher.
To employ the additional teacher and
fit up the necessary rooms, as well as tc
pay the teachers already employed, and
other necessary repairs to secure the build.
ing from decay, we suggest that the sum o
four thousand dollars is necessary for the
current year.
We lately sent Mr.. James f. Gates, the
principal of the male department, to Balti-
more and Norfolk to inspect the schools IN
those cities, with a view to the improve
mcnts now proposed. His report is before
you. We propose to copy the details Of
the schools which he examined, as far aS
may seem advisable.
If the free school system Of the north
is to lie introduced into our city it should
be done by our own Council and citizens
that we may give it such notifications as
shall adapt it to our views OF education, and
secure it from the evils which seem to be
inherent in the system in some other local.
ties.
We feel assured that neither the Coun-
Gil of our city nor the Board of Teachers
will ever consent to yield the education
of the youth of our city to those who are
not under the control OF our own people
as far as may be. We anticipate very dis
aStrOus results from the success OF some OF
the philanthropic efforts now proposed
Every consideration ofpatriOtiSm, morality,
and religion, affecting the public welfare,
demands that the ignorance of our lower
classes, which is the constant plea for these
efforts, should receive our attention, and
receive it now. Ignorance is preferable to
wrong education, but right education Is In
comparably better than either.
We make this imperfect report in the
hope that the Council will enable the
Board in the sphere Of its laborS, by the
blessing of God, to secure a larger num-
Der of our youth at once from the evils OF
ignorance and pcrnicious instruction, and
give them the advantages OF such lnStruc-
ton as shall prove blessing to themselves
and our community.
[Signed.l
CHARLES }. SINToN,
PHILIP B. PRICE, }Committcc.
WM. Ii. GwATHMEY,
RICHMOND, June IL, 1866.
After some little discussion the follow.
ing resolution was adopted:
Resolred. That the appropriation to the
Lancastcrian School he increased for the
present year to the sum of four thousand
dollars.