The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-06
Normal Schools.

NORMAL Sc06Of.
THEIR USES AND vALUE-AN ADDRESS DELTy-
BRED YESTERDAY EVENING BEFORE THE
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES by REV. A. ID.
MAYO, OF BOSTON.
The Educational Committees OF the Senate
md House OF Delegates met in the Senate
chamber yesterday afternoon at O'Clock to
listen to an address by Rev. A. ID. Mayo, OF
Boston, distinguished New England edu-
Gator. He was introduced by Mr.. Koner.
In responding DIR. Mayo called attention
10 two measures now pending before the
Legislasure-one endorsing in the main,
the bill Of Senator Blair, OF New Hamp-
shire, in behalf OF national aid to educa-
ton, matter, he said, Of immense inn
portance; the other, the bill providing for
the establishment OF a normal school for
the training OF colOrcd teachers. A hun
dred years ago Mr.. Jefferson proposed
system OF education for Virginia, which, II
II had been adopted, would have changed
the course OF the history OF our country.
| The plan is now substantially adopted and
endorsed by the State Of Virginia. Every
feature Of Jef6rson's plan has been adopted,
and now Virginia leads every southern
State in the matter OF education.
4 DR.. Mayo said he believed the time would
come when Jefferson's fame rs all educator
would eclipse his fame as legislator.
1t was generally conceded that no State
had ever made so great advance in ten years
as Virginia. He had nothing to say about
politics and its changes. Changes occurred
everywhere. In Boston, however, and
other northern communities, nobody eX-
pected any change i'm the school system with
"a change OF parties. The only thing any
party dared do was to try to make it better
than before. What the North hoped and
expected from Virginia was that its school
system should be put beyond political
changes-to put 1t in such position that no
party dare touch ii except to make it better.
The North looks with interest, and the
South with far greater interest, to the ac-
ton Of Virginia. In an extended trip
through the South last winter he found all
the States, in fixing their educational sys-
tens, were studying the Virginia reports,
and now they were asking what new thing
will Virginia do this winter
Now, what can you dot
The speaker then went on to argue that
!, Virginia should establish schools for the
training of teachers, and he gave many in
teresting facts showing OF how much more
value is a trained teacher than teacher
called from some other pursuit OF life.
Let the State, said he, organize and con-
troll its O,on schools, and be sure that what
Is done, be it little or much, is thoroughly
done. Let the State establish one or two
grand normal schools. Don't divide NJ
your money, but concentrate it so as t.
make such schools as you organize grand
ones. The result will be that each gradu'
ate Will become an exponent OF the normal
school system. He will become leader
teachers will be urged TO establish schools
OF their own, and the influence will spread
IL YOU have even one thorough normal
!, school for white or colored teachers; II
private parties desire to establish normal
schools or normal courses in their schools
they must make them excellent and thor
ough ones. They must 90 TO work, ioI
their work will necessarily come into com
parlson Win the work OF the State school
There will come call over the whole state
for trained teachers, and every school vii
make arrangements for a normal depart
ment. 1t is not necessary, said the speaker
! TO 90 into details. for YOU have in y0n
State some OF the best educators in the
whole country, and thoroughly posted in
all these matters.
The speaker said he should be disappoint-
Gu III nc ulu not lltdI III NOiii' Niioib UNIV, Oh
: his trip further south, that this matter OF
: normal instruction had been amply pro-
yided for by the Legislature.
: The speaker was listened to with great
attention. Several members OF the commit
! tee asked questions on various points con.
nected with normal schools, which DR.
Mayo answered very fully, exhibiting much
interesting and valuable information on the
general subject.
The Doctor will remain in the city seve-
: raj days, during which he will visit ON
: schools. and will then continue his triI
through the southern States.
! He will address the teachers OF the public
| schools on Saturday morning at 10 O'Clock
HUsTINGs CoURT.-The following case'
: were disposed Of yesterday:
Charles L. Abbott (white), charged Will
petty larceny, was convicted and remandeC
5 to Jail. Judgment suspended.
Ann Howard (colored) for stealing S9l;
e from Dolly johnson. and a large quantity
of clothing, to the value OF 5000, was SEN
e fenced to three years in the penitentiary.
= Richard Blazeal (white), charged will
= breaking into the store OF his employers
Wy II Dokortc 10 onI stealing Se1 Na.