The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-14

distinguished man, whose name, IL atIurHcu
10 t.. would, as it should, carry great
weight with it. We commend the article
to the attention of the members Of the Gem
eral Assembly: ~ F
Congressional Donation for the ZEN.
efit Of Agrieulture and the Mechanic
Arts. ,.-..s-..-a... 81 f
The Congress of the United States has
appropriated, under certain restrictions, to
the several States Of the Union, an amount
of the public lands equal to 30, 600 acres for
each Senator and every member OF the
House of Representatives of the states ac-
cepting the donation for promoting the IN
terests of agriculture and the mechanic
arts. The fund created by the sale of these
lands is to be used for the endowment, sup
mort and maintenance of at least one col
ieoe. where the leading object shall be,
without exceeding other scientific and
classical studies, and including military
tactics, TO teach such branches of learning
as are related to agriculture and the me-
chanic arts In such manner rs the Legisla-
tures of the States may respectively pre-
scribe, in order to promote the ll6erai and
practical education of the industrial classes
In the several pursuits and professions IN
life. The fund Is to be inviolable no part
of it is to be used in the erection OF build"
ings, but one-tenth OF it may. be approprl-
ated to the purchase OF eXperlmental farms.
On the present Legislature of Virginia
deyolyes the responsible and delicate duty
of providing for the proper use OF that por-
ton of the fund granted to the State. In
most of the States in which the fund has
been received it has been entrusted by the
respective Legislatures to existing colleges,
on such conditions as are adapted to secure
the objects of the donation.
The Committee ON Schools and Colleges
have requested the representatives of the
various institutions of learning in the State
to appear before it on tomorrow, for the
purpose of presenting their several claims
to be made the fiduciaries of the fund.
They will all, doubtless, be ably represent
ed, and offer plausible arguments in sup
port of their respective claims. 1t is not
our purpose to discuss these claims. We
wish. however, to present some reasons in
favor of Richmond as the most suitable
location for the proposed college.
Richmond is the metropolis of the State,
central in its position, healthy, Of easy ac-
cess. and frequently visited by persons from
all parts of the country. The act of Con-
gress provides for the establishment of an
experimental farm" This city has advan-
tages over any other point for the cultivation
of such farm. In its vicinity lands are
cheap, we'll adapted to experimental agrt-.
culture, the means for their improvement
and cultivation ale abundant and at hand,
and the products of the farm, whether
fruits, vegetables, or grain, would be con-
venient to good and unfaillng market.
These, however, are minor considerations.
A model farm, to answer the purpose Of
it's establishment, must be seen. Certainly
such an institution near this city and the
fair grounds of the Agricultural State So
ciety, would attract incomparably more at
tention, and far greater number of risl-
tors, than at any other point in the State.
It would contribute greatly towards crea-
ting a taste for agriculture, diifusing
knowledge Of the arts of profitable farm
ing, and redeeming the State from its SLOW
emily and upproductive modes of tllage.
The reasons for placing an institution de-
signed to improve the mechanic arts In or
near this city, in preference to any other
place III the State, are even stronger than
those for selecting this location for a model
farm, instruction In the mechanic arts,
60 to promote the liberal and practical edu-
cation of the industrial classes in the seve-
raj pursuits and professions of life,'' should
not be mere theory, but science reduced to
practice. What place within the limits Of
the Commonwealth can afford such facilities
for STUDYING or creating mechanism as this
city. It has already much complicated ma
chinery in operation, many valuable facto.
ries. many skilful artisans, and, to great
extent, the means Of experimenting in the
mechanic arts and these are but the begin
ming of its career of industrial progress.
To these advantages may be ADDED the Ia
cilitv of a ready sale for whatever might be
manufactured in teaching the mechanic arts.
Take another view of this SUBJECT: me
State. in time past, expended large sums
In nromotinp the higher branches Of edu.
cation. These appropriations were limited
TO the Piedmont and trans-mountain re-
cions, The tide-water country and the
Counties contiguous to it, though contribute
ing largely to the revenue of the State,
have not shared in the appropriations for
the advancement of liberal education.
Justice, then, would seem to require that
The congressional donation should be eX-
pended in the tide-water region, especially
as it presents the best site for securing the
objects of the grant.
Some have objected to placing students
under the demoralizing influence OF cities.
Experience has demonstrated that villages
or small towns are more corruptlng to stu.
dents than cities. In village, or rural
neighborhood, the students of college
control public sentiment, are above the re-
straints of law, and are liable to be I'M
ruly and riotous. In city they cannot
control, but are controlled by public sentl-
ment, and are amenable to the police.
1t is time to close this article, already too
much extended. We must, however, add
few words, which may seem poetlcal
rather than argumentative. Is not some
thing due to Richmond as the METROPOLIS OF
the Old Dominion? Do not her historical
associations entitle her to the favorable re-
CARDS of the Legislature? What city has
ever passed through such trial of war,
want fire, casualty, ana FOOD. as sa mie ID
ANYTHING, consistently with the interests Of
the State, and the official responsibilities of
its members, to rebuild and encourage,
city-so true to the interests and 81 worthy
of the pride of the State. and VIII 'ch has
passed through such an unparalleled pap
tism Of atfltction-it will not fail to 90 IL.
RICHXONln.