Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-15
THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE
Annual Meeting Last Nigbt-The Presi-
dents Report.

The annual meeting of the Mechanics
Institute was held last night, with Colonel
j. V. BidgoOd In the chair The attendance was
transacted. Colonel Henry c. Jones, president
OF the institute. submitted his annual report,
which was listened TO with marked interest. III
iyin substance as follows:
The Report.
II Is with pleasure that j make this the
seventh ,.nnual report 10 your honorable
body as required by the bylaws, which enl-
bodies the operations OF this institute from July
8, 1890, the date OF tho last report to this day
It IL with pride that i announce that TINS lnst-
tute has done a greater and more satisfactory
work In the educational branch through its Night
School of Technology during the past session than
ever before attained. Tho scholars manifosting
the greatest interest have made great ana rapid
progress in their studies. which has shown some
Of the many benefits which can be derived from
such an institution.
THE CLASSES.
The Night School Of Technology commenced its
seventh annual session on tho 1st day OF Octo-
ber, 1890. and closed on the 3Oth day OF April,
1891. The classes at the opening OF the session
numbered as follows: Arithmetic Glass A, II
Arithmetic Class First division, 20; oi1ss 1,ssn
ID, 2S; Glass Il, 10; Algebra, IL; Geometry, IL
Trigenometry, 2; Applied Mechanics, q Book
keeping Class A, 80; Class B, -; Free Hand
drawing, Al; instrumental Drawing Class A,
%: Class B, %; Architectural Drawing. IL;
Mechanical Drawing, 2l: Chemistry CLASS l.,
Glass H., 4 Electricity Glass A, -; Class II,
Physics Glass 4, IL Class Is, 9; Engineering, {;
Modelling, Total, 2S7, which was increased TO
36l matriculates during the session.
EFFICIENT INSTRUCTORS.
fun and efficient corps Of instructors have
been employed during the whole session, TO
whose faithful aud Jealous discharge OF duties,
directed by our active principal, Mr.. G. +. l..
Rurgwyn Is largely due the great advancement
rot NJ Night School of Tech
nology during the past session. Two new in
structors were added, which enabled tho School
Committee 10 add several new classes, which
were absolutely necessary 10 our regular growth.
More were needed and would have been added
If we had had the funds.
INCREASING REVENUE.
cannot leave this most important
branch OF our great work without calling the
special attention OF this institute TO the absolute
necessity Of increasing our revenue so that we
can enlarge our sphere OF usefulness by pur-
chasing larger and more approved supply OF
instruments, apparatus, &c, ana what we are
suffering the most fora new building arranged
suitably for our purposes. We have already
had a good many inquiries for the next session
and the prospect IL that we shall have n good
many moro applicants than We can possibly
accommodate. IL will take n larger fund TO
meet our absolute wants for the next year than
we have at our disposal. Ii will require 81 900
TO assure the fund that we need for our opera
tons the next session, which viii commence
about The LIST OF October. and must urge thc
active cooperation OF every member OF this insti-
,utc In securing the requisite number OF annual
members.
NECESSITY FOR NEW QUARTERS.
The President thon sets forth the great need
Of new quarters, and says:
i must eglin urge that one OF the flrSt ana
greatest wants Of this institute is large and
commodious building II Is opn, centrally To-
Gated. suitably arranged for our various and
extended purposes, and which we should use
every effort 10 secure at the earliest moment.
In reference TO this subject the report states
that last January a meeting was held Tor the
purpose of raising subscriptions, and over s40,-
600 was secured from private citizens condi-
tional on making the sum 100000, and the city
of Richmond, amending an ordinance passed In
1866 giving $4,000 to the institute on certain
conditions. the completion Of this subscription
has been unavoidably delayed for private rea-
sons and for the passage OF the amended ordi-
nances.
THE LIBRARY.
The Library, says the Presldent " in good
order. and has only been increased bf Reports
sent by the United States Government, no new
purchases having been made or donations re-
celyed. number OF volumes have been taken
out and read by the students OF the Night Scnooi
Of Technology with apparent interest. me
Library fund has been very nearly exhausted,
and 1t would add much TO the institute IL that
fund could be added to In any way.
The mbership now numbers ive life, three
honorary life, and 4S7 annual members, which
should be largely increased, and | hope some
means will be devised by which every interest in
this community viii be reached
Other Reports.
The reports OF the secretary, Captain Thomas
Elicit, ana the treasurer were also submitted
Under the new charter granting greater pow.
er,s TO the institute which was obtained short
time ago, the officers and board for the ensuing
year will not be elected until February 10Th.
The meeting adjourned about $50 O'Clock.