The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-21

!.AtlOE SF ALL TEF OTdEn A.SkLf NENS-
eAFEHs OF TETS CITY.
City Public schooIs-Report Of Su.
perinfendenr.
OFFICE SUrERINrENp'r PrDLrc Schools. }
RICHMOND, VA, February !, 1870.
To the Honorable Board of. Education |
Of the City Of Richmond
Gentlemen,-The ordinance establishing
system of public schools in the city of
Richmond wisely provides that the Board
of Education shall report to the Council
annually Gn February the number of
schools, teachers, and pupils, giving full
account OF receipts and disbursements, with
general information in regard to the con-
duct and progress of the pupils, and such
other additional information as may lnte-
rest the puhlic.'
No popular government is safe without
a general diffusion of intelligence. 10 Sc
cure this diffusion of intelligence, and con-
seauent safety and perpetuity,a popular
government must provide for the education
of tho masses in such a manner as rrAct-
cally to Danish ignorance and superstition-
the great bulwarks of monarchical and arls-
tocratic power.
In some parts of our country parents
and guardians are compelled by law to con-
tinue their children or wards until Ger
tain age in public or other schools for o
specified number of months each year. In
other States the conveniences for education
and manifest advantages offered effect the
same result with equal certainty.
Thesystem of public instruction adopted
in this city is of the kind last mentioned.
It offers. inducements, but proposes no COM
pulsion, and must derive its efficiency and
practical usefulness from the interest and
cooperation of parents, guardians, and
friends, of the children of Richmond
Very wise, therefore, ia the provision of the
ordinance which calls for "slch additional
information as may interest the public"
hear sometimes the remark that edu-
cation is for gentlemen" and accept its
truth, but with this application: that in
our country the people, singularly and MS
whole, are gentlemen, and more than no.
bles; they are kings-intelligence, educa-
ton, and wisdom, are necessary to rulers.
The very recent establishment of the
public schools, and the consequently limited
field in which to gather results to present in
a report, together with the great amount
Of labor unusual to the Office of Superin-
tenaans HfG Schools that has fallen to me
because isseemed impossible to provide for
it in any other way, including the selection
and renting of buildings, repairing and
furnishing the same, providing fuel, the
care of scbool-rooms, supervising the ex-
changes Of books, &C., &C., combined also
with attention TO my Legitimate occupation
of visiting and organizing schools, assigning
pupils and effecting harmony and unity in
the entire school movement, forbid an Ella
borate presentment of facts, opinions, or
suggestions, at the present time. Still, l
do not believe that even an imperfect pre-
sentiment Of the progress and results of but
four months will -be<withelt interest to the
parents Of the thousands of children en-
braced in the public schools Of Richmond.
And know it will not be without interest
70 your honorable Board, whose kindness,
courtesy, and consideration, desire espe-
cially to acknowledge, OF to the honorable
Council, whose enlightened patriotism has
provided for the education of the children
Of the city at the first, and must still
foster and perfect the educational move
ment.
beg leave, therefore, TO report as fol-
lows:
INITIATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL MOVE
MENT.
In April last large number OF citizens,
without distinction Of party or sect; united
in petition to the honorable Council to
establish in Richmond public school sys-
TEN. After reference to q committee, and
mature and careful deliberation, the pre-
sent school ordinance was adopted, a Board
Of Education elected, and an appropriation
Of SIS, 900 voted to carry the ordinance into
effect.
COOPERATION.
This sum it was seen at once would prove
insufficient to the task proposed. Build
ings must be provided, repaired, and fur
nished. Maps, books, and apparatus, must
he obtained, and many other expenses met,
in addition to the ordinary current expenses
Of schools previously established. In the
emergency, the educational societies of the
country, the General Government, and DR..
Sears, the worthy almoner of the noble
muniticence of George Peabody, one of the
grandest men of our time, came to our aid,
and gave pledges which promised to add at
least $4,000 to the amount appropriated
by the city.
SELECTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
From the outset the want Of suitable
buildings properly located was a difficulty
that could not entirely be overcome. A
fine school building, beautiful without and
convenient and comfortable within, is in
itself an excellent educator and valuable
auxiliary to q school system.
After obtaining all possible information
by advertising and otherwise, number of
buildings were hired, not always just such
as we could have desired, but the most
suitable that could be found, and as near
as practicable to the desired localities.
The buildings SO hired have been repaired
and furnished, and, in addition to buildings
owned by the city, the General Govern
ment, and educational societies, available
for school purposes, constitute the present
school accommodations.
1t has been the endeavor of the Superin-
tendent in making repairs to draw just
balance between the requirements Of con-
venience, comfort, and good taste, and
those derived from consideration OF the
temporary character of the tenure of the
property. Where any considerable amount
has been expended in repairs care has been
taken to secure to the city the right to oc-
cupy the premises for period correspond
ing in length to the amount expended.
SELECTION OF TEACHERS.
The selection of teachers was no easy
S,nl hn n o1l at vQ1fn a.