The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-27
THE CIRCULATION OF THE DISPATCH
Is LARGER THAN THE COMBINED CIR
cULAT1oN OF ALL THE OTHER DAILY
NEWSPAPERS OF TIE CITY.
SchoCs.EHouses.
RICHMOND, March %, 1871
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:

NASh~uoSb5 @'AeASa 10y AS'N'
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Sir.-As the last day of grace allowed by
the Building Committee to the architects to
hand in their plans for the three new pub.
lie school-houScs approaches, | would ur-
gently press on tie beard that, whatever
plan be adopted. care be taken that full and
sufficient provision be made for the lngrcsS
and ecresS of the children. To want of
this has been due some of our most ap-
pallng cataStrorhes; for instance, the
burning of the Theatre in this city. A
great number of persons, especially chill
dren, when together in 4 building on fire.
soon become panic-stricken, and the rush
to get out frequently causes more deaths
than the fire. Particular attention should
be paid not only to the hanging Of the doors,
to make them open outwardly, but also to
the approaches to the door-ways both in
ternally and externally, so that in case Of j
sudden rush the exit may hc in no way OBJ
structed. The doors leading from the
rooms should be large enough to let all the
scholars out in q few seconds; and the
staircases leading to the different floors
should be broad and Of easy grade, so as to
| fatigue the children as little as possible in
| ascending and descending, and that there
may be no danger of the children falling
mhtn 'y .hehseifes' Inc spiiai sIaii CAST,
| for this last reason, is very Objectionable, as
children are very apt to slip when descend
ing it from trying to walk on the narrow
end OF the step. The passages leading to
the staircase, and also to the outer en-
frances, should be large and commodious.
| II otherwise, when in case Of fire a sud
den rush is made at the same time from all
the rooms, the crowd of children being
hemmcd in 4 narrow channel, will either
block up the entrance or push one
another down the staircase, and
cause thereby the most serious inj,l-
rics. These passages should, indeed,
will be fully compensated by the advantages
derived from them. They will be great re-
servoirs of fresh air during school-hours
and when in bad weather the children are
unable TO 90 out of doors during their re-
cess, they can take sufficient exercise in the
halls. Sitting in the same posture in a
crowded room for long time is very try
ing to children, and frequently the sloth or
restlessness which they exhibit arises en-
tirely from the impurity of the school-room.
II these halls are weli-lighted and airy, a
few minutes walk in them will refresh the
infant mind and body, and make him equal
cloakS, umbrellas, &C., of the children
could be kept away from the school-room,
and the impure gas arising from wet gar
ments would not infect it, and, when SER
wants are sent to take the children home,
the master or mistress could see that each
little child in the hall is sent home under
the care of Il servant, or Of an elder brother
or sister. AS far rs. my observation goes,
large halls between the rooms have been
deemed indispensable, and to lie one Of the
best sources for ventlating the school-room.
Since the different plans will now be 50
soon sent in, it is needless to add further
until we know what plans are offered; but
l hope the committee will permit the pub.
lie to see the different plans before any final
decision is made.
l am, sir, yours, &C., CIy1s.