The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-15
RICHMOND, March IA, 1871.

To theEditor Of the Dispatch
Sir,-In communication to the Dispatch
to-day notice is called to an advertisement of
theFhairman ofthe Building Committee ask
ing for plans, Sc, to erect three brick
school-houses, to contain 600 children each,
sc. Until this communication was made
this advertisement remained almost unno-
ticed by the public. The haste shown by
the committee in expanding the appropria-
ton made by the Council for schoo-houses
can, as the writer Of the above communica-
ton suggests, only be accounted for on the
ground that they have already decided
on the plans to be adopted, and that this
advertisement is only semblance of an
offer to the architects and builders of
Richmond. If the committee has already
determined on their plan, it is but right to
the citizens of Richmond to publish it.
Every citizen is in some measure interested
in it, not only to the amount of tax which
re may be required to pay to sustain these
public schools, but because if, as in other
countries, these schools receive the atten-
ton and care which they ought to have,
they will become the great semnaries of
learning for all classes of our community.
Lots have been bought, am informed, on
Baker street, Leigh and 1st streets, and in
other localities on the outskirts of the city,
as though it were the intention to keep
these schools as far from the observation Of
the public Us possible. 1t is true, in our de-
pressed state economy must he considered !;
but it is very false economy to hide from the
public benefit intended tor the public,
and which can be reached only by obscure
by-lanes. AS the writer in the Dispatch
says, these large public school-houses are
entirely new here, and require much refec-
ton. Tea hing at the public expense has
hitherto been considered charity, and,
indeed, tainted with disgrace. Many pre-
fer to remain in total ignorance of even
reading and writing rather than 90 to pub
lie school. I hardly know whether this
pride is greater disgrace to the individual
or to the community in which he lives.
No wonder we are ridden over by north
ern men and Germans. Ignorance will
always he the slave of knowledge. If we
are worthy Of our great ancestors, we
must rouse ourselves from this leth-
argy and educate our people as in other
cities. The greatest care should be paid to
our public schools they should be clean,
airy, we'll ventilated, we'll drained, in every
way attractive, and in no way repelling.
Children should be made to feel pride in
attending them, and not be seen to sneak by
bye-lancs to them, Us though they were
mere reiormatorieS or infant penitentiarieS.
1t is said the city has made large appro-
priation for these buildings. If so, then
the Council should see,that this appropria-
ton be we'll expended. Above all things
should attention be paid to the health of
the locality, and of the buildings, to the
ventilation, the sewerage, the cleanliness Of
the children, &C., &c.
Essays in French and German have been
written on this subject, "hygiene Scolaire,"
by the most eminent physicians and scien-
titic men, and i'll England the health OF
public schools has often been made the
subject of grave debate in Parliament. On
few subjects has so much talent and rcflec-
ton been brought to bear, not only as re-
CARDS the children, but also as to the city
at large; for public schools ill constructed
and badly drained or ventilated have often
been the hot-Deds OF the most fatal cpl
denies. 1t is subject that requires here
also the graveSt consideration, and no plan
should be adopted until it has been very
completely stated and fully considered. 1t
is impossible tor this to be done by any
educated architect in four days. If three
barns were desired, to contain six hundred
children each, any carpenter, pei haps,
might erect them; but public school
house requires even more reflection than q
theatre or hotel, as the children attending
it have less consideration than those fire.
quenting hotels and theatres, and if any
malaria inlects it from bad ventilation or
bad sewerage,'it is not known until ma
lignaDt fever becomes epidemic. AS citi-
zen of Richmond, therefore, and having no
interest therein as either architect, builder,
or contractor, hope the Council will
adopt no plan which is not completely set
out, and in every way adapted to the OBJ
ject desired. Yours, &c., CIvls.