Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-10
THE STATE AT LARGE.
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.

Nc Bioriai 20 the bepislatnre-b hc Manage
meut OF the s,ate Colored Normal College
Complained Of-Heavy Rsiu-storm, &c.
correspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, Dec. 9, 1885.
The better portion Of the colored
people Of this city have for long time
been dissatisfied with the management
of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate
Institute, near this city-an institution
designed by the Legislature for the
higher education Of those Of both sexes
of the colored race who desire to fit
themselves for teachers, and therefore
worthy the confidence and patronage
of the colored people of the State.
But under the appointments made for
the government Of the institution it
seemed to have been managed more in
the interests Of politics than education,
and scandal has been brought upon the
college. The secretary Of the Board
Of Visitors was openly charged with
Irregularities by the treasurer. Pro-
fessor Storum, an educated cOlored man,
was first reduced from the position of
principal Of the college to that of teach
er, and then unceremOniously removed
altogether. This last action Of the
authorities has created much COM
ment and dissatisfaction among the
colored people, as well as amoug
the students. At meeting Of
the students held yesterday memorial
to the Legislature was adopted and
signed, which practically arraigns the
management of the institution. This
memorial, after recognizing the ILLEGAL
ity Of the Legislature in the establish
ment and support of a school for the
benefit Of the colorcd people, and the
appointment of men identified with
their race for its management, sets
forth that "its objects have been
to considerable extent frus-
tIated by the fact that the
school has most unfortunately fallen
into the hands OF inscriptions polit-
clans, with few exceptions, who use
the institution for personal advantage
as opposed to its best interests" In
evidence Of the removal of Professor
Storum, as principal OF the institution,
without assigning any just cause, but
for partisan purposes, is cited also his
absolute dismiSsiOn as one Of the faculty.
1t is further declared that incompetent
persons have been appointed as teachers.
The petitioners. therefore, as a last re-
sort, appeal to the Legislature to RENE
dy these and other existing evils, against
which the students earnestly remon-
Strate.
1t is hoped that the Legislature will
give the management Of this school
thorough investigation, and as the mat
ter is to be brought before it on two or
more petitions by colored people them
selves, the Gooner the investigation is
made the better.
The city was enyeloped in a dense
fog this morning, and for several hours
a heavy rain fell. The temperature
has greatly moderated since yesterday.
The tobacco warehouses were filed
10 oVeIlOWlng win tobacco to-day ana
scores Of wagons at each warehouse
could not be unloaded for lack Of room
to place the tobacco.
The new steamer belonging TO the
Atlantic and Danyllc Railroad Com
pany, which is to run between Rich
mond and Petersburg and Claremont in
connection with the trains on that road,
will be placed on the river the latter
part Of this week. She is fine little
boat, $50 feet in length and Of proper
tionate breadth.
The Petersburg chorus is rehearslng
the numbers it is to sing at the Mozart
musicale, and it may safely be predict
ed that the lovers Of good music in
Richmond will be delighted with their
singing. ROBIN ADAIR.