Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-31
DOING A GOOD WORK.
MEN WHO OWE THEIR SUCCESS TO
THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
MANY EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE.
Extracts from Letters Setting Forth
the Benefits AcruinG to Young Men
from Attendance on the school Of
Technology.

Probably one OF the most deserving
institutions in this city. and one about
which comparatively little is known by
the general public, Is the Virginia Me-
chanics' Institute, a night-school for the
education OF boys and young men who
by force of adverse circumstances are
forced 10 begin work ere they have been
afforded an opportunity TO secure an edu-
cation.
Tho Virginia Institute started its
night-school OF technology I'm October,
1884. and has. done great work. II
had in the beginning corps Of six In
structors. and has added TO its cur
riculum each year as required, new in
structors until now 1t has twenty. This,
however. has been retarded for the want
of funds and room in the building rent
ell. which has now every available room
occupied The City Council have appro-
priaied for the last Eve years 5000 per
annum toward the support Of the in
stitute. which does not meet the eX-
penses. The deficit. however. is made
IN bv membership fees and the donations
OF friends.
few weeks since. by the direction
OF the Board Of Directors. a circular
was sent TO all. Of the young men whose
address could be procured, who had at
tended the night-school some time du-
ring its thirteen years OF existence for
the purpose Of obtaining statistics con-
corning the career of those who nave
been entered on its rolls containing the
following questions:
l. When did you enter the Virginia
Mechanics Institute; what was your oc-
cupation at that time, and how long ola
you remain there?
2 What daily or weekly salary were
you receiving at the time?
g What salary has been the maxi
mum YOU have received since then and
what is or has been, your occupation?
4 Please state how much of your ad-
vancement in life you estimate as at
fributabIe 70 the instructions received at
the Virginia Mechanics Institute?
SOME OF THE ANSWERS.
The following are synopses from
some Of the replies received:
Entered institute in 1851. was an APP
preutice in the Richmond and Danvihe
shops, remained at the institute -FOUR
years. Salary was 60 cents, 81 cents
and 81 per day. During that time adj
vanced regularly-frst as draughsman;
second, as inspector Of locomotive con-
struction. and al present, general ar
brake inspector of the Southern rail-
way system, at a salary of fraction
less than 81 500 per year. II was from
the date of my entrance in the Virginia
Mechanics Institute that my success in
the railroad world began, sc"
.'Entered institute in 1891; remained
three wears: was an office-boy. etc, at
salary OF g per week. At present
book-keeper az so per month; but Tor
financial embarrassment of my employers
my salary would now be ample. The
influence Of tho institute and the IN
struction received enabled me 10 hold the
position ! now have, which has been the
support Of myself and mother for three
years. and the ideas received excited the
ambition 10 be somebody and was the
foundation of a course Of study, the re-
suits of which are invaluable to me-"
Entered institute October IS. 1885; 70
NAMED three sessions. Salary was $50 per
month: at present civil engineer; maxi
nun, salary has been $40 per month. My
Advancement is due. principally. TO the
Instruction received at the institute. as
witlo that technical education l could
rot have followed my profession"
"Matricuiated in the Virginia Me-
chanics' Institute, February 1. 1891, and
have attended ever since; was an appren-
tice at the Southern railway shops at 90
cents per day: have been gradually adj
vanced, until now l am regular
draughtsman at salary of SIS per month,
and ii would be much better but for the
present business depression 1t would
be hard to estimate the good have de-
rived at the Virginia Mechanics Institute.
Three sessions in mechanical drawing and
mathematics has fitted me as practical
drargn ;sman, and enabled me 10 hold
that position satisfactorily, With ordi-
nary intelligence, 1 believe determined
boy can get as good a mechanical educa-
ton at this institute as can be gotten
I'm this state / have Just refused
position offered, with more salary, away
from Richmond on account Of It's inter-
fering with the course l am now taking
at this school"
Entered institute about 1889; remained
three years, Ny salary was about s.
per week; am now SECRETARY TO the audi
tor of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company, at a salary OF so per month.
AS to my advancement. l attribute most,
possibly ALL 10 the institute, as I OBJ
tanned employment through the officers
Of the Virginia Mechanics Institute. and
considered that they started me on my
business career"
Entered the institute October 1889:
was an office boy in a railroad Office at
salary Of So per month"; have been
continuously employed there, and am now
a clerk at $50 per month. The institute
has been the means Of my obtaining a
much broader education, and has been Of
great benefit TO me otherwise"
HELPED TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT
Entered October 1886 unemployed.
About two months later secured a situa-
ton at nominal salary OF g per week;
am now a civil engineer. mainly in the
line OF railway location, construction,
and maintenance; maximum salary, Sll0
per month. In my own case the value
OF The training hardly received fair
test Some knowledge / gained, which
has been very useful Besides this the
school helped me i'm the way OF securing
employment in my chosen profession"
Entered institute session Of lSs6-'S7;
continued two sessions receiving at the
time $3.50 per week; now a mechanical
engineer; salary. $500 TO 1880 per an
mum. Without the advantages there
gained for expressing thought, l Would
have been unable TO make my talents Of
value and worthy the attention Of
others. While / might have gotten in
formation through other channels. the
probabilities are against such SUPPOSE
ton. and l may say truthfully that ]
owe 20 per cent Of my value TO the in
struction of the Virginia Mechanics In
stitute, and TO our dear friends, amongst
whom i remember with great pleasure
our secretary and Mr.. Sheppard"
"Entered institute about five years ago,
studying drawing physics, and electricity
for one session; was a student at the High
School at the time; my maximum salary
since has been $3.50 per month"; holding
following positions: Chief engineer OF one
OF the principal hotels. electric engineer
for the -- Land Company, and general
manager for my own concern-dealers in
and constructors OF electric apparatus"
IL. llaot IN MI %