Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-15
Mechanics Institute.


10 me EuitOF Of INC Df'i'"'"''
Among the bills introduced into the
LEGISLATURE at this session is one pro-
posed by MIR. Lyon G. Tyler for the re-
organization of the Mechanics Institute
of this CITY. We hope that this important
measure will not incur the fate of the COM
mon school system as proposed by Mr.;
Jefferson carly rs 1873, bur be suffered
by the Legislature to 20 into Immediate
operation. The common school system
was declared by that truly great man to
be lone Of the four columns OF the
republican edihce"; and yet the false
economists OF his time, by putting up
the plea of poverty, defeated It's beneh,
cent intentions for nearly one hundred
years.
Great as the Improvement has been in
oureducational facilities since 1859, much
vet remains 10 be done. Vatul says that
the first duty Of State IS to preserve
and perfect itself, and | believe that the
paramount consideration of legislation
il the education of the masses. Educa-
ton is the talismsn OF all sound pros
pcrity in State and takes precedence
OF every Otnef oOlGatlOH.
Is our educational system a perfect
one? By NO means. Our Governor, al
ways wide awake to the necessities OF the
Commonwealth. calls the attention OF
the Legislature to the propriety OF III
Producing technical training IN our
elementary public schools. The great
feature of all technical training Is draw
ing or designing, but very few persons
are capable of teaching this art, tspecl-
allv in the South. Hence, it appears to
me that the application of elementary
technical instruction 10 our common
schools is impracticable at present (D
because of the difficulty in obtaining the
proper instructors, and GU because OF
the expense which would run far among
the thousands OF dollars.
What, then. is the true solution to the
difficulty? The Mechanics Institute
bill, in my humble opinion. 1t com
bines the agricultural with the mechanl-
cal features. 1t agrees to furnish the
Agricultural Department with new and
convenient apartments. 1t proposes 10
admit all students practically free Oh
cost. 1t empowers each legislator TO
nominate one student subject to confir-
nation by the Board of Managers. 1t
guarantees that the student shall have
the advantages of the highest technical
training, starting with the elements Of
drawing and ending, if necessary, with
the thoroughly equipped engineer
painter, and sculptor.
What imperils the bill? 1t speaks so
loud for itself that nothing but the APP
prehension of expense can throw doubt
upon its success. Is the plea OF poverty
again to be put mp against the universal
demand the age? We must have me-
chanical schools TO teach our young men
the practical needs of everyday life.
We mast cease to draw oil our skilled
workmen from the North. Let the Le-
oislsture look the measure square in the
face. and when it comes before 1t for ac-
ton incnr the full responsibility of its
passage. Let it bury unworthy iealousies
and ignoble parsimony aud in the esiab-
lishment OF the Virginia Mechanics In
stitute erect at once for itself an endu-
ring monument in the affection OF the
mechanics and the patriotic people of the
whole State. y.