The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-22
N ECHANICS' INSTITUTE
VISITED ~ THE COUNCIL CON-
MITTEE ON SCHOOLS.
History OF the Institute-what IL Has
Done and IL Doins-A Meritorious Ipsti-
tuition which should be Encouraged
aud FostereJ nv the CITY.


and Fostered nv the CITY.
Several wears ago a number Of broad
minded. enterprsinQ, and thoughtful mel
i'm this city conceived the idea Of establish
ing an institute for the promotion and en-
couragemcnt Of manufactures. the mechan
les and useful arts. and the mental ana so
oial improvement Of the industrial classes
Al first. n il always the ease III the found
Ing end building up Of any progressive IN
stituton. the scheme net much opposition
but, nothing daunted, It's projectors pcrse'
vercd. and finally succeeded in interesting
the cav boyenmani, and receiving its sane.
ton and Acknowledgement OF the Council
Then toe Mechanics institute began
us UPWARD PROGRESS,
The Council Committee on Schools took
il under its fostering care. and It's ultimate
success became an assured fact.
Mr.. george 4. Alnslie was elected presi-
dent. j. j. Montague, ylce-president; W IL
liam 4. Simons. treasurer; ana captain
Thomas Elicit, secretary.
MIR. Ainslie mas been removed by tie hand
of death 10 brighter spheres. and his man
tie j. now worn 'worthily by DR.. Ii. {. Jones.
WHAT Is KNOWN OF THE WORK.
The public hear Of the work and give
come small consideration 10 its usefulness
but as the teaching Is done az night very
few Of our citizens. except those VINO are
intimately interested in il, know the scope
and importance Of he work done.
Last night the committee on schools paid
the Institute q visit Of inspection. There
we're present. ,iai0r James II. Capeis.
chairman Of the committee, and Messrs.
Anderson. Stterdng and Peasants.
Majer Capers called the meeting 20 order
and explained lis object. and then said: Il
now turn the committee over to YOU, cap
tain Jones'
VISIT or THE COMMITTEE,
The committee then visited The several
classes. and il was sight that was refresh.
ing. Hardly an idea Of the great work icing
done can be gathered from description. II
il necessary 10 do what the committee did
last night, 20 and see. and be convinced
that the foundation log q noble charity 10
being laid,
The class-ro0ms were filed with boys Of
thoughtful, studiOus faces, beamlng with
eager desire to improve their minds. Am
biiion's proud hope shone in their counte-
nances. and their perfect order and close at
tention showed that they had becn YOKE.
fellows even thus early in life with some OF
tlo hard~hlpS mat 20 10 MAKE iil'
snort ana simrio annals of the poor. v
They were all neatly dressed and
ranged from ten 10 thirty years IN age.
some were pointed out. and specimens Of
their work shown that would put 10 blush
men Of far more extensive opportunities
and unlimited experience. and somVimes
tneee would be mingled with the praise show
cred the touching statement. Ellis mother i
very poor. and that little fellow works 10
support her every day ana comes here at
night"
Now the practical idea is this ; This in
sttgiiop must be enlarged. The building l.
crowded. aud cannot accommodate all who
are seeking admission. The present house
is badly ventilated. and the scholars suffer.
The need Of a building, to be owned by the
city, is apparent 1t would be the best
paving investment that could possibly be
made.