Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-21
MECHANICS INSTITUTE HISTORY.
Mr.. TYLER Tells of Its Establishment AMI
the circumstances That Led Thereto
WILLIAMSBURG. Va, May i6. 1892.
II me F,D,or Of ne D,sDa,ca

WILLIAMSBURG, W., oldl iV' A''~'
TO The EItor Of ne Dispatch
The following extract il taken from your
PAPERS report of DIR. Pages address before
the Mechanics Institute on last Friday
night
"He began by a modest alluson 10 the
fact that he took the first step towards tho
re-estabishment of the institute alter the
war. At meeting of dozen or SO master
mechanics in little room over the First
National Bank he suggested tnat the sr a,
need of Richmond was a mechanics insti-
tute. and the organization was formed
with George A. Aluslle as president ana
Thomas Elicit a. secretary"
III this statement ia correct report of Dr.
Pages remarks /: j. misleading and unfair
to those who can claim not only 20 nave
taken the first step IN the establishment
of the school, but year III aud year out
taught its battles in the school-room be
fore the council Of Richmond and before
the Legislature until its success VAS
known OF all men. In stating the true
history OF the matter shall thy 10 initiate
DR.. Page and be as modest as the facts Will
allow.
And. first. I am compelled 10 say that the
origin OF the present institute had no con-
nection with tho organization of the
Builders Exchange. or with DR.. Pages adj
dress before tha. body. ~ with any pre-
vIOus movements toward the re-estabiisl-
ment Of the old Virginia Mechanics lnsti-
tute whatever. | had met Mr.. Oyerton
Howard In the early part OF the year 1901
and formed quite an attachment for him.
In one Of our conversations IN nv Office
Mr.. Howard suggested 20 me the establish
ment Of night school FOR mechanics
which we should develop into an institute.
NV interest had been first awakened IN the
subject 10y reading some time before tee
address Of nv father before the Old Viz
ginia Mechanics Institute entitled. The
Memories Of Richmond made 10 1857, and
Incorporated in my biography OF han. then
lust published After several further con-
yersations on the subject We agreed 10 20
10 work. Mr.. Howard wrote a letter 20
the papers-the DISPATCH. J think-urging
the importance of such n scnOol
to the city. and replied III the
SAFE. endorsing and emphasizing The
same position. We then communicated
our views 70 some friends-Mr. James G.
Lamb now CHANCELLOR. Mr.. George j,
Hooper, and others. We had a meeting IN
my Office. in Snafer's building, and ar
ranged classes aud teachers, rs we'll as d.
termined upon George Ains!le as presl.
dent. About this time-in the summer OF
1sS4-Mr. Elicit, the secretary of the Build
CTS Exchange. MulAI NA- IAf4l III tAi go
piring condition. wrote letter TO the
papers stating that he had seen the let
ters on tho subject OF the proposed insti-
tuto and he was in position 20 offer Us
the free use of hall and lights y AID IN
the establishment of the school. M9 nc
cordingly advertised 20 open the school
on the Sd day of October, 1884. and on that
day classes were formed by Messrs. How
ard and Tyler in arithmetic, algebra. and
geometry; by Mr.. James &. Lamb IA book
keeping, and by Mr.. W. Il. HIgham IN Grchi-
tectural drawing. Succeeding IN this, We
called a meeting OF citizens ~ order TO de
yelOp a plan OF permanent organization.
This meeting was held on the 9th day OF De-
cember. 1854. and By 1t committees were
appointed 10 draft a constitution and &
solicit the council of the city OF Richmond
for an appropriation of $1,000 10 detray
the expenses of the night.school already n
operation. | was chairman of the commit
tee TO draft the constitution, and. with Mir
Howard, appeared before the.cOuncil IN
advocacy OF the Appropriation desired.
The constitution was drafted by me. but
was afterwards very much improved by
Mr. J. j. Montague, wno several years
later revised II. The council generously
granted our requests, and when We report.
cd back 10 the second meeting of citizens
on January 20, 1885. the FIRST election OF
general officers occurred.
IL was deemed proper by the originators
who were the teachers. that the officers q
the institution should be representative
mechanics. and hence 1t was hat Mr.
Ainslie was asked 10 be president and Mr.
Ashton Starke ylce-presldent. II y only
truth TO say that all these movements yer,
originated By Mr.. Howard. mys slf, and Ia,
other gentlemen named, IN profound ig
norance of any " first suggestions" on tn,
part of any other person. First sUgges-
tons are cheap unless followed by first
actions. The initiative was taken by Nr
! Howard and myself: we drummed up III,
other teachers: they and MIR. Elicit
our secretary found In the good work, anC
the large attendance which followed mad
the beginning d success. The board Of
managers was not appointed till the schoo
bad been In operation several months, a.
the report of the secretary IN 1896 will show
II was not the re-esteblishment of an Ole
school. 1t was. IN fact. the originatioa OF
new one. which received not a doilal
| from the old. Afterwards when the new
managers were elected the special work OF
enlstlng membership and support de
volyed on the committee on canvass.
ing" and OF that committee | had The
honor 10 be chairman.
Gratuitous instruction was afforded by
the lcacutfS lOr tne uISt year-OFtrtOf
| Howard. James c. Lamb. Walter X. Hig
ham. and Lyon q. Tyler. At the seconC
session the council voted $1,000 10 III,
school. afterwards increased 70 81, 900, ans
at this same session the council uuani
mously appropriated the sum Of $50. OOl
for the purchase OF lot and the erection
of suitable buildings, contingent upon th'
State of Virginia appropriating sufficient
sum in addition thereto. know whereof
! speak in these matters, for l negotiated
with the council in reference to the up
preparations and drafted the bill which
MIR. Stsrke presented 10 the Hous,
OF Delegates and defended IN on,
of the best-delivered and post logica
speeches | ever hsrend TO. In al
these matters had the cordial snp
port and assistance of my friend. Over
ton Howard. whose energy never faltered
The labors OF Thomas Elicit. W. L. Simons
William J. Whiteburst. Harry Il. Owen
W. K. Hlgham, J. J. Montague, George A
Ainsiie. A. III. L. B,llingslea, Ashto,
/ Starke, X. 4. Frayser, CAPTAIN NJ. j. Dim
mock. William g. Ammons. Robert Whit
tet, w. l.. Sheppard, and Joseph h. Welsl
were Of the greatest value. No one maj
4 A