Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-19
Prospects for the Establishment Of .
Ncchantc~' Institute.
lFor the Richmond Disp,t'

| OF maurJ's Physical Geography OF the Sea
we md the statement that the results en-
| boctcd in Plate /. of the work would, were
the data for them collected by force
specially employed for the purpose, have
demanded the constant occupation Of fleet
otten sail Tor more than one hundred years.
Yet these were easily gotten by the simple
cooperation Of the ships OF the world, in
iottlng down In log.books observations OF
"lnGs, and microscopic examination OF
| particles OF water and little atoms OF vege-
table matter carried by the winds from
continent TO contineBt--a work which
amounted to Iitiie'm than pastime and
amusement to the seamen. Each sailor
contributed his observation-a thing
| worthless by itself-but the result OF this
cooperation was TO establish the general
course Of the winds and currents Of the
world. A men learned to take ad-
,antoge Of wind and current thus discover
| ed, millions OF dollars were saved in time
| and labor on the ocean. Millions, too, We're
| saved from flood and storm on land. As the
wires from Washington sent svifter mes
soges to ioretell the coming destroyer; and,
| better still, continents were brought many
days closer together, and being closer IT,
| gether, many lives were saved between
them. The work paid oil employed in il
many thousandfold, and untold millions
will profit by il; and this grand result
| comes from simply acting together for q
| purpose.
To compare smaller things with greater,
we can see how pleasant and useful such
cooperation may be among us here in the
city OF Richmond. For several months
little by little have been trying TO induce
the mechanics, the most truly useful part
OF any community, to unite into an insti-
tute or school, where, by having different
teachers for different nights. the work
would be easy, and many young man would
be enabled 10 learn almost free Of costs
those things which heretofore he has had no
one TO teach him, or which he has been
prevented from stl dying because they
were taught in the daytime, when he mus.
work for his bread and meat. Several
men have agreed with me TO take part in
teaching, and doubtless we shall find still
mole efficient teachers OF some branches
among the mechanics themselves.
About the 18th OF September published
an article in the State showing, | think,
Low very inexpensive such an institution
might he IL there WIS only sufficient CO.
operation. and'the editor OF the state. with
his usual public spirit, has kindly pub
lished several other articles encouraging
the plan.
Since the costs Of such a school will be
only the rental Of a hall til the institution
gets money enough TO erect a handsome
buildine). fuel, lights, apparatus, books,
and some few periodicals, the expense
divided among a sufficient number Of men,
bers will he too trihing to be any serious
obstacle, and the plan only needs interest to
insure success. But without this interest
the whole thing will fail, and it Is therefore
nv object TO show some OF the advantages
and entertainments TO be gained.
In the first place, il Is evident that a sys.
temstic study Of mechanics, III m,thematicI.
ETC.. will make mechanics more competent
wCTkmep.
In ,hc second place, such a school will
he of advantage 10 mechanics who wish TO
employ workmen rs well "a TO mechanics
who want work, since the bead-mechanic
would 10y hi. personal knowledge OF men
In the institute he enabled to select the
man most apt for the work, and the young
mechanic wanting work will continually
have his powers recognized. Further, it
il we'll known that man will always en-
ploy one that he knows sooner than one he
does not know.
In the third place. an institute could az
ford periodicals, books, and apparatus,
which would be beyond the means OF any
one man.
In the fourth place, it would he pleasant
to hsves hall where one is sure OF meeting
so many friends and acquaintance,.
In the fifth place, we could have many
pleasant lectures, TO say nothing OF enter
tanning, amusing. and instructive exhibit
tons Of electricity, magnetism, etc., that
could be given by some Of our able citizens
who are becoming SO deservedly prominent
for their earnest resesrch in this direction.
These are the smallest results to be ex-
pected from this plan; for the institute can
become equal to any college in the State
for instruction in the branches taught.
Studies for which men usually have 10 give
up their work and leave their homes, at an
expense. which places those studies out OF
the reach Of majority OF our mechanics,
can he pursued here at home without inter-
fcring with the work which gives daily
bread.
But the plan alre,dy promises certain
success. The Builders Exchange OF Rich
mond have, in the State OF September 18Th,
expressed their willingness to unite in the
plan, and their generous offer OF co0pera-
tion coupled with the still more substantial
offer q their rooms for place OF organiza-
tor, ought to meet with the deserved graf
ilude Of all who are eager for the improve
ment OF our people and OF our State.
Y. 7. T..