The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-20
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
o,rs.,ondenee OF tho Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, June Is, 1867

PETERSBURG, June Is, 1867.
Tho registration Of voters was yesterday in
.poura ted i'm two of the wards OF this CITY,
and has proceeded Thus far without any eN-
element whatever. 1t is in these wards
res lively the East and South-that the Co
iored population greatly preponderates. The
rormer includes Blandford, in which there
are very few whites and the latter Gilfeld,
a yerv compact settlement, the tenants Of
yybtch NAV best be compared numerically TO
nrise therefore, that during the first days OF
registration the blacks should preponderate In
about the proportion Of ten 10 one. II every
resident should register, the new class OF
voters in these districts will doubtless be con.
siderably In the majority but when we find
an eager spirit on the one part, and luke
warmness on the other as appearances thus
far indicate, ii may we'll be apprehended
that the colored voters will obtain n decided
ascendancy in the city at large. But whether
they do or not, they will NJ least be numerous
enough 10 effect new division OF power as
between the several wards. From almost time
immemorial West Ward has exercised n con-
trolling influence in all elections, whether
State or municipal TWAS in former days the
stronghold of the Democracy, and polled nearly
half the vote OF the city. II was accordingly
the scene of the most active eXertions on the
part Of candidates for popular favor; ard on
election days, If at no other time, the people
were truly soycreigns. Elegant carriages We're
at their bidding TO take them 10 the polls, and
they were literally provided for in other ways
what those ways were il might perhaps be too
curious 10 inquire at this late day At any
rate, West Ward is destined 10 lose her pres
tige, which will hereafter be transferred, be-
youd doubt, TO the southern division OF the
city.
With the new class of voters in such large
proportion il seems impossible to contem-
plate the future of our city without serious
apprehension. Universal suflrageas formerly
exercised was bad enough in all conscience
will not its evils be greatly aggravated in the
future? There is but one remedy, and very
gradual one nj that: system OF education,
both moral and mental, more thorough than
any heretofore practiced, even among the
masses of our own children. As the equal de-
positoTies of political power the same atten-
lion will have to be bestowed on the primary
education of both races of our population. 1t
is with qualification, therefore, that every
friend of order and good government among
rs must witness the earnestness with which
our Common Council is approaching this sub
ieCt. AT q recent session OF that BODY very
interesting report was made by the intel.
ligeut committee TO which had been conided
the duty of suggesting some feasible plan.
The report is only initiatory, but con
tains some valuable information, which
may be of use in perfecting the system. III
appears that there are now in this city about
l. 200 colored children receiving instruction at
n total expense of Sll ,236, averaging between
"a and SO each. In the white schools imme-
diately under the fostering care OF the Coun-
Gil there are on the rolls $40 white children
with an average attendance of 2j3, ~ total
expense of $3.50. The funds for the colored
schools are contributed from various sources
outside of the Commonwealth, while those for
the white schools are derived from our own
resources. The aggregate i nearly slI,OW,
while il is estimated that ii Will require from
$4,000 TO $4,000 to make the scheme practica-
BILE This, the committee believes, can be
raised from the sources pointed out. The sub
iect has been postponed for further consldera-
lion 10 a future month, when IL will doubtless
receive the attention which its Importance
demands.
gentleman recently returned from an eN-
tended tour through that part of North Caro-
lima trading with Petersburg gives fatterng
report Of the wheat crop. The farmers We're
busily engaged in securing it, and they regard
il as the finest which has been grown for many
wears Now, when we remember that farmers
are rather a Croaking, captiOus class, the uni
yersal testimony borne 10 the excellence of the
crop is surely conclusive. =.