The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-27


COMPARISONS.
It may be seen that the gain in attend
ance was 1870. Last year the gain over
the year previous was 10,6l1. So that in
two wears the gain has been nearly 10000
nunils. MN We nave now almost 200, 900 children
in tbe public schools, which with those at
tending private schools shows an educa-
tional progress which augurs most fayorably
for the future development Of the State.
Besides the gain in enrolment there was
also an improvement OF 2 to per cent. in
the regularity with which the pupils at
tended school. The cost OF instruction was
60 cents per month for each pupil enrolled
against 70 cents last year-a fact which does
not necessarily imply a reduction in the pay
of teachers, for the increased attendance in
small schools would itself reduce the aver
ace cost. because there is no increase OF the
total cost Of such schools. The colored pu-
pills, though not yet equal, have gained rel
atively on the whites in enrolment, and
also in average attendance. There were
333 new scbool-houses built this year against
292 last year. About one-third OF the school
houses are now owned by the districts.
The receipts from the Peabody fund were
S19, 800 as against s3S,S75 in 1874. Receipts
from State funds, S51S, ,701.22; local taxa
ton, S473,77S.35; Peabody fund and pri-
vate donations, $77,199.09.
SCHOOL PROPERTY.
Number of log houses, 2,OS+; number of
frame houses, 1924; number OF brick
houses, 1856; number Of stone houses, 81;
number with good furniture, 1,750; num-
Der owned by districts, ], 1,499; number built
during the year, 333. Value OF school pro-
perty owned by districts, 1851, ,730.57.
SCHOOL FUNDS NOT PAID OVER.
The report says Last winter, as is gene
rally known, the fact was brought to light
that every year 4 considerable part OF the
State funds belonging to the public schools
had been used for the general purposes of
the government, and that the deficiencies
had by that time amounted to something
like $500, (now said to be less) Although
no well-informed person supposes that any
one committed intentional wrong in the
matter, yet the people were deprived to that
extent of the means OF education, and the
effect on the public mind was painful. The
matter is mentioned here with the hope that
something may be done to replace the mis-
applied funds and to render impossible the
continuance or the future recurrence OF
such diversion Of funds sacredly devoted to
education by the constitution and laws OF
the State"
Appended to DR.. Rutfner's report are re-
ports from the Virginia Agricultural and
Mechanical College and Hampton Normal
and Agricultural Institute. All the inn
portanL facts and figures concerning those
institutions were published at the time of
their commencements.
CONCLUSION.
In concluding his report (of which this is
only brief summary DR.. Rutfner says:
"Altogether the school system was never SO
prosperous, so we'll managed, or so strong
in public favor as it is to-day. And what is
most pleasant to mention, my extensive
travels throughout the State during the last
six wears have enabled me to observe
growing Improvement in the financial con-
dition Of our people as whole, and con-
sequent hopefulness OF Gplrtt, which, taken
in connection with the quiet tide OF 1mmi-
grafton, announce the dawn Of an era OF
great prosperity to our dear old Common
wealth."
Care Of Insane.
WESTERN LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Number of patients-Males, 1875; females,
100. Total, 35s. Daily average. 3o7. The
nercentaee OF recoveries to admissions was
800. There were 10 deaths. -Four OF
those who died had resided In the asylum
thirtyv years and upwards, and two others for
more than ten years. There were Los ap-
plications for admission rejected. One hum
dred and eighteen made application for the
first time for admission into this asylum.
Tfie medical superintendent says: con
looking into the history OF these cases
find that very large majority Of them have
been permitted to remain ut home till the
curabie stage has passed, and they now
swell the list OF i1,curables. Is not this
great evil? Are the citizens OF the State
doing Justice to their families or to the