The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-09

The RICHMOND 5PrBLIo scHeoIs-WHAr
MR. BICKNELL9 SAYS ABOUT 5THEH. Some
time ago Hon. Z. M. BickneIL, editor Of the
Ne1o England .J0ir7sat Of Education, was II,
the city examining our publics schools, and llas
recently been writing seriea Of interesting
letters to his paper about the Richmond pub
lie schools. In the last he says: eli win be
Q matter OF marvel to our readers to learn
that the present system, which has become
one OF the most popular departments Of the
city government, was adopted by the city
IN 1863, only seven years ago. It met with
stout opposition, and encountered the pre.
!udices Of the wealthiest and most inf1uen-
tlal Of the citizens for some time; but since
its growth in public favor attests the yaIue
OF the work done and the sacrifices OF those
who have labored for its establishment
MIR. Bicknell next gives in his letter the
school statistics at the time the system Was
introduced, the facts connected with the re-
organization OF the School Board in July.
1870, and the progress the system has made
since that time. So.
Mr.. Bicknell further on in his letter
says: :" We noticed that the schools opened
in 1870 with 2,212 pupils, gathered in few
old buildings under fifty-three teachers. Il
Read these statistics of the present num-
Der OF schools: 80 80.
ru., ST., Wh1te Cotored.
Fl Grammar schools. a
70 Primary schools. ..........,.:...44 81.
81 So AZ
Number OF principals and teachers
White principals, 8; white teachers, 92;
German teachers, .; colored teachers, g..
Total, 112. stz -i4@.s.a&.I
Number of scholars in attendance
White, 1903; colored, 1,791. Total, 1854.
Number OF scholars studying German
White, 213. German is only taught in the
High and grammar schools.
The secretary OF the School Board dis
burses about S6,700 monthly for the pay
rolls OF principals, teachers, ianitorS, and
officers Of the Board; $4,000 is the esti-
mated expenditure for the support of schools
for the scholastic year ending August !,
1876. Average cost per scholar, based on
estimated expenditures, $780,"
Mr.. Bicknel next devotes q considerable
portion of his letter to the good fortune of
the city in its election of an energetic and
devoted teacher for the office Of superintend-
ent, which is filled by Mr.. James II. Bin
ford.
He says that the teachers possess marked
unity OF power in instruction and govern
ment. The home atmosphere OF the scho OILS
was delightful, and it was q great pleasure
to note the promptness, the frankness, and
the cheerfulness of the pupils.
"In language-eXercises the pupils showed
very marked proficiency. From the pri-
mary schools upward we were pleased to
note the constant use OF the slate and the
dictation-book in original composition work.
Constant and careful writing also produced
good penmanship, and il Superintendent
Binford and his teachers send their samples
OF scholars work to Philadelphia, which
they can well afford to do, we would like to
have our friends note the points we have
referred to. The neatness OF the school
room, and the cleanliness of the pupils, and
the order in the schools, attested to the SELF
respect and self-control inculcated in home
and school instruction, and il the schools OF
Richmond have other than sunny-side views
we must visit them on other days to see
them. Some Of our readers will undoubt-
edly accuse us OF judicial blindness in our
inability to note defects and to see faults in
administration and teaching, but with q
spirit OF fairness and impartiality we must
testify to the admirable morale OF these
schools"
Mr.. Bicknell pays q high compliment to
Secretary Moses's industry and enthusiasm,
and also alludes appropriately to the good
derived from the teachers meetings, which
are held every Saturday morning during
term-time.