Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-05
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTIONS.
On n Whole They Are Moro Prosperous
Than for Some Years Past.

Than for Some Years Past.
II has been uniformly the policy Of the State
TO support hcr higher institutions Of learning
with a liberality commensurate with her re-
sources. II is needless here n present in detail
the considerations which vindicste the wisdom
of this policy. II Is conceded that-in FREQ
government cspccially-G virtuous, intoiugeui'
and patriotic citizenship constitutes an essential
condition Of public safety and social we'll being
Therefore, such civil institutions as are adapted
10 creaie this condition and thereby 10 conserve
hld promote tho public veal the state hh5
right 20 establish AMI maintain. On tbs theory
rests the establishment Of puplic Tree hOola
ana % the extent that they attain or can DO
made 10 attain this great end they are to be re-
garled n a necessity.
But the strength and prosperity Of state de-
pond nieu upon other agencies upJn judi
c.OUs administration OF public aiioirs; upon
liberal culture in the various professions; upon
directive power 10 mining, manuiactuFlng, iner-
camille, and other economic interests. Hence an
onltghfenrd policy demands the protection ana
promotion of literature, science, aLd art rs con-
tributinR ~ these important ends, and a. con-
siltuflug Of themselves apnrt from thoir pracu-
col utility, prominent features ia an advanced
civilization, and hence tho value Oi INSTITUTIONS
especially adapted 10 highcr literary, scientific,
and technical trimming. .lhe conditions OF mol
ern life, the progressive and complex nature oI
mO1crn civilization, demand wider range OF
special or technical Instr lctcn ana training
than have existed IN my previous age. Hence,
without Institutions or means in sOmo form 10
furnish the higher general and special framing
the state must needs fail in a measure TO attain
IT, normal condition OF intellectual, social, AM
material Well-bcing or send her aspiring yOHih
beyond the borders In quest OF the culture not
afforded ~ home, or commit IN measure iLe
direction of her affairs and tho Development oi
her resources % the educated brain aud skilled
hand o. the stranger.
But Virginia has not been remiss In tho timely
organization ~ higher institutions of learn
Ing or ia according thom = reasonably GEM
erOu5 supper. Tho reports ot the current
year show ihc~0 institutions 10 Be, On who'll,
ia a more prosperous condition tuan Tor some
years past In some OF them the number 81 ma
triculates h0s largely increased, cspeclaiiy
during tho past two years. Tho distinctive fea-
tures VI those institutions arc readily rccog-
nZed. The University OF virginia maintains
var ety 81 literary, sciout.ii', and proic-si'uti
departments, or schools. Ihe sOundne5' AMI
thorouchness OF the several courses u instruc-
fi0n, ana the high standard OF schOia snip lat
formy required for graduation, have Justly
placed the University d the forefront ~ e1uta-
tiOnal Institutions. Additional facilities for L.
siruct.0n, especially Of "a practical character I'm
soma Of he scientific apartments, would en-
haucs the u.0fulneat Of tAe school.
The Virginia hlhtary Institute maintains di-
tGctiyoly the military system IN its government
and discipline, AMI gives both theoretical aud
practical instruction In military service aud taf-
tics. In its other educational work u gives
prominence 20 instruction in fcience am ~
u
mruts as The school needs VIII be brought 10 the
attention of the Gcuofal Assembly.
The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lcge is better eluippel for rs special work than
ever before. The appropriation maio by tAo
last General s-embly has supplied the college
with q handsome brirt bGilling with dOrmi,orios
capable II accommodating one hundred and NJ
~ -tIdonts. The organization on the premises
~ the college 81 tho experiment station pro-
yiicl for by the " Hatch tinn viii doubtless fur
ni.h valuable means OF eNper mcut aud Illus
tration iu inc department ot Agriculture al
dtional facilities are needed in the Mechanical
Department
Zoo Institution for tho Deaf and Dumb and
Blind, with such additional Outht as II needs,
cOmmenIs itself IA it has done heretofore 70 the
kaiiy attention and fostering care OF tue Gene
raj Assembly.
Th.re arc now four normal schools, supported
I'm whole or in part Uy tho state, Of which two arc
for the education Of white teachers ana Two LOT
colored. The state Female Normal Sci Dol NJ
Farmville il the only institution receiving an
annuity from the state applied 20 tho education
of women. lis successful work for the past slA
years has vindicqtcd the wisdom OF its establish
mcut 70 has before 10 an encouraging prospect
By act Of Assembly, session Of lss7- sS an sp-
pr0pri6tIOu was made 10 Tie College oi william
AMI Mary on the condition that course OF nor
nal instruction and training DO combined with
the collegiate course. Under this act end IN ac-
cordauce with IT, provisions the college was re-
Organized. AMI now, in IL second year un1or
the now TEX III llIilNtfl 'fiA pA' AltNANA No.
seventy matrculntes.
The Normal ard Agricultural Institute al
Hampton, which receives one third OF tho IN
CONS from the Federal Laud-Scrip Fund COM
biBinC as il does Industrial with literary and
normal training, affords exceptional advantages
% he c0lorsd race.
The Nirgiuia Normal and Collegiate Institute
since the completion and equipmontoi iis uuili-
ings IA ia "A much better condition 20 accomplish
the OBJECT for which il was organizod-ihe edu-
cation Of colofod youth. is patronage has ma
terially Increased. aud its course ~ study AMI
it- discipline Well maintained. It's SiIdlcicus and
efficient management aro entitled 10 comne1dd-
ton.
such special appropriations or such increase
in annual appropriations a. are called Tor by
these various state institutes will, DOUBT not,
command tho careful attention Of the General
Assembly, and evoke such friendly legislative
action a. tho important Interests % be promoted
and the in0nciai resources OF tho STATE VIII de-
t0rmina 10 ne eXpe1ienL
Az closing remark on this general subject
desire TO publicly recognize tire important edu-
catioual work done without cost TO tho state by
our aenOminafional colleges and privGts lnstitu-
tous ina various parts OF the Ntotc. The Miller
Manual-Labor sch 1ol, Of Alb,marlo county, f. "
spe .ial interest, ~ illustrating tho successful
comrinltion OF manual or industrial training
with the usual school W0~6