Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-15
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
In Better Condition Than Ever
BcforC---Dnc Great Need.
written forthc Dispatchl

BcfOrC---OnC Great Need.
written forthc Dispatchl
It will (olhtless crafty many readers
OF your valuable PAPER to know that the
public schools Of Virginia opened better
TINS session and give promise Of moro
profitable session than they have done Tor
several years past. Both superintend-
cuts and teachers are manifcstlnE IN
creased interest in their work, and are
seeking 20 better qualify themselves for
It I'm many Of The counties they Lave
formed teachers associations, or held
teaohers Institutes or conferences.
The Rockingham Teachers As'ocia-
ton held III Hauisonburg On the Both
and 3l6t u December was well attended,
considering the severely cold weather,
and the ESSAYS rcad and the discussions
Of the topics treated were interesting AMI
instructive. Another eau for Qratiflca-
ton is the fact Observation-Disclosures from
every portion Of the State report a grow
ing interest on the part OF parents IN
the education Of their children, 'Gnd
that citizens generally are becoming
more favorable to and interested in pub
lie srlool education.
Thi. j, a. IT should be, and rs it will
be when the good people Of Virginia
fully understand that every dollar they
pav for education IS as truly spent for
their own benefit and the benefto OF their
own families as the money they pay for
their clothing etc.
TDrrAIlON NEVER LESS COSTLY.
Education WIS never less costly than
now. nor were there ever better facilities
for obtaining IT, The increasing interest
felt m education IS not only seen in the
growing interest manifested in the pub
Inc schools. The tarmville Female Nor
nal School William aud Mary College,
with it, normal department for young
men, are doing fine worK. and the Nir-
gin.a Agricultural and Mechanical Col
legc, with It's splendid corps Of instruct
ors and It's 1872 pupils, was never IN bet
ter condition or doing more satisfactory
and valuable work than now. Indeed, all
the state institutions are well attended
and dong good work.
This is true not only of schools which
have been established and aided by the
State. but also OF those which have been
started and sustained by private enter
prise.
SHOULD GLADDEN. OUR HEARTS
The success Of all these schools should
gladden. our hearts. 1t is not a matter
o so much importance to us where OF
by what means our sons and daughters
are educated so they are property odu-
Gated. There should be no rivalry be-
tween public and private schools. They
are all engaged III the same grand and
noble cause. and ought to be, and really
are, helps to each other. Every new
school established evinces growing in
terest in the work Of education.
One fact greatly concerns me. That
is, that Virginia ladies who wish to quail
fy themselves for any high order Of
teaching find it necessary 10 80 to other
States 10 do SO.
SHOULD NOT CONTINUE.
This should not and must not con-
tinuc. Our excellent Governor, who
takes deep interest in education, as, IN
deed, he does in everything tending to
improve NirgInians and pronoto their
interest, informs me that while recently
in Atlanta. Ga, he visited school III
which TX Virginia ladies are teaching,
all Of whom had TO 60 out OF Virginia
t. qualify themselves for the respective
positions they occupy. | hope 10 visit
that school before It's session closes and
try 10 learn what special preparation
they needed which could not be obtained
IN Virginia
am glad to know that Randolph
Macon Nomans College will soon be
opened.
Would it not he advancement in the
rcht direction il the doors Of our uni
velsty and all our colleges were thrown
open to women This Is matter
worthy Of serious consideration.
joins j.. MASSEY,
Superintendent Public Instruction.