The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-05

schoois for the year, closing July ~, 1889,
x.as- In round numbers, tl,620,000, an ex-
cess of 3f96,000 above that for the year
closing July 81, 1855.
The estimated value Of school property,
when came into Office and when go out.
is as follows: In 1889 II 10 $2,20s, IA. In
iss5 It was $l.sl9,2j6; increase, $3ss, sos.
Number OF public schools In 1ss9, l,4lo;
number Of public schools In 1850, o'o.o'
| increase SIS. Total number OF pupils en-
rolled in 1888, 336, 94s; total number Of pupils
enrolled In 1885. 3o3, 343; increase. 33,6oe.
Increase of pupils In average daily attend
ance nearly 1000.
These figures present leading facts in re-
gard 10 the system, and show that under the
| fostering care Of the General Assembly, ana
under iudicious and Efficient supervision Oh
its accomplished Superintendent, IT mas
maintained uniform and steady CROWN.
But still larger development IL practics-
| BILE: higher degree Of efficiency ana Woe,
range Of usefulness are attainable, pro'iueu
| larger fund be wisely and economically
| applied TO 1t. A.. co,o,a,
Assembly make special provision 10 mann
tain the cash allowance to the pubiic
schools from the State funds. The interest,
sscerfained by act of Assembly OF February
p 1889. To be due on literary fund bonds and
computed to be $3I9,2lO. was, ny acts OF
Assembly. sessions 1856 and 1873, ap-
propriated 10 the use of the public schools
In annual instruments Of $lOoOo. The last
instalmen., which was raised to &l0o,ooo, ny
a supplementary appropriation from the
general revenue Of the state. will be ex-
pended during the year closing July 81. 1870.
Hence, after this:date. unless some Especial
appropriation be made. deficiency OF $lO0,-
900 per annum will occur in the cash appor-
tion,nent to the schools from the state funds.
The forthcoming annual report OF the SUI
perintepdenf of Public instruction. which
will be submitted 10 the General Assembly
at an early day, will furnish additional sta
tistical and other information OF special
yalse in relation both to our public schools
and our institutions for special and higher
education.
SUPPORT OF COLLEGES.
II has been uniformly the policy Of the
State TO support her higher Institutions OF
learning with liberaiity commensurate
with her resources. IL is needless here TO
present in detail the considerations which
vindicate the wisdom Of this policy. Ii IL
conceded that, i'm a free-goyernment espe-
cially, yirtuous. intelligent and patriotic
citizenship constitutes an essential condl-
ton Of public safety and social well-belng.
Therefore such civil institutions as are
adapted 10 create this condition and thereby
To conserve and promote the public veal the
state has right to establish and MAINTAIN.
ON this theory rests the establishment OF
public free schools. and to the extent that
they attain. or can be made TO attain, this
great end, they are to bs regarded as ne
cessIty.
But the strength and prosperity Of a State
depend also upon other agencies; upon a
judicious administration Of public affairs
upon liberal culture in the various profess
sions: upon directive power in mining,
manufacturing, mercantile, and other
economic interests. Hence, an enlightened
policy demands the protection and promo
| ton Of literature, science and art, as con-
| tributing to these important ends. and as
constituting. of themselves, apart from their
practical utility. prominent features in an
advanced civilization, and hence the value
Of institutions especially adapted to higher
| literary. scientific, and technical training.
| The conditions of modern life, the progress
siye and complex nature Of modern ciyiliza-
| ton, demand a wider range OF technical in
struction and training than have existed in
any previous age. Hence, without institu-
tions, or means in some form, to furnish the
higher, general, and special training, the
State must needs fail in measure 10 attain
| its normal condition Of intellectual, social,
and material well-being, or send her aspir-
| ing youth beyond the borders in quest Of the
culture not afforded at home, or commit, in
| a measure. the direction of her affairs and
| the development Of her resources 10 the
educated brain and skilled hand Of the
stranger.
But Virginia has not been remss in the
timely organization of higher institutions Of
learning, or in according them reasonably
generous support. The reports of the cur
rent year show these institutions 10 be. on
a whole, in a more prosperous condition
than for some years past In some Of them
the number ofmatriculates has largely in
creased. especially during the past two
years. The distinctive features Of these in
stitutions are readily recognized. The Uni
yersity of Virginia maintains variety Of
literary. scientific. and professional depart
ments or schools. The soundness and
ih0r0ughness OF the several courses Of in
struction, and the high standard of scholar
ship uniformly required for graduation,
have Justly placed the University in the
fore front Of educational institutions. Adj
ditiOnal facilities for instruction, especially
Of practical character, i'm some OF the
scientific departments, would enhance the
usefulness of the school.
The Virginia Military Institute main-
tains distinctively the mlitay system in it's
government and discipline, and gives both
theoretical and practical instruction in
military service and tactics. In its other
educational work it gives prominece TO in
slructiOn in science and its leading appii-
cations. such additional equipments rs
the school needs will be brought 10 the at
tention of the General Assembly.
The Virginia Agricultural and Meehani-
cal College is better equipped for its special
work than ever before. The appropriation
made by the last General Assembly has
supplied the college with a handsome brick
building with dOrmitOries capable Of ac-
communicating one hundred and fifty stu
dents. The organization on the premises OF
the college OF the experiment station, pro-
yided for by the ''lIatch BILL will doubt
less furnish valuable means of experiment
and illustration in the Department of Agri-
culture. Additional facilities are needed in
the mechanical department.
The institution for the deaf, dumb and
b ind, with such additional outfit as il needs,
commends itself,as it has done heretofore, to
the kindly attention and fostering care Of
the General Assembly,
There are now four normal schools sup
ported in whole or in part by the state, OF
which two are for the education Of white
teachers and two for cOored. The state
Female Normal school, 1T farinyille, is the
only institution receiving an annuity from
the State applied to the education Of wo-
men. Its successful work for the past six
years has indicated the wisdom of its es-
adjustment. 1t has before il an encourag-
ing prospect for usefulness.
by act Of Assembly, session Of isSI-s, an
appropriation was made TO the college Of
William and Mary, on the condition that
"A course of normal instruction and training
be combined with the collegiate course.
Cnder thi. act, and in accordance with its
provisions, the college was recognized,
and now, in its second year under the new
regime, numbers over one hundred and
seventy matriculates.
The Normal and Agricultural Institute.
at Hampton, which receives one-third Of
the income from the Federal Land Scrip
Fund, combining, as it does, industrial with
literary and normal training, affords ex-
ceptional advantages to the colored race.
The Virginia Normal and Collegiate In
situte. since the completion and equipment
Of its buildings, il in much better condition
to accomplish the objects for which 1t was
organized education Of c0lored youths.
Its patronage has materially increased, and
its course Of study and its discipline well
maintained. Its judiciOus and efficient
I.I 70 tl.1tt