Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
RICHMOND SCHOOLS.
A PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR THE IN
sTITUTIONs OF LEARNING.
PAYORABLY WITH OTHERS.
Work of the Public Schools During
the Past Year-Improvement at the
ries-Medical Colleges.

| Inc 1uStltutlonS OF ledfnlHS III lnlS city
have enjoyed unusual prosperity during
the past year. The public schools have
advanced steadily, and have never been
better equipped to train the minds of the
young than at present. Each year
marks an Improvement in the system,
and the institutions will compare favo-
rably with those Of almost any of the
large cities.
The colleges and private schools have
likewise fiourshed. both male and fe-
male, while the two medical colleges are
striving in good natured rivalry to place
their respective institutions upon the very
highest standard attainable.
In Consideration Of these facts Rich
mond has no need TO be ashamed of her
position as a seat of learning. and can
well hold up her head with any city
when the roll is called, and school stats.
ties are forthcoming.
Coming of Union Theological Semi
nary.
Great interest is felt in the removal or
Union Theological Seminary to this city.
The splendid buildings on Brook road are
well under way. and it is expected that
the seminary will be opened there in the
autumn of 1898 with a large number OF
students. This institution was establish
ed at Hampden-Sidney, Prince Edward
county, seyenty-three years ago. BY the
Presbytery Of Hanover, under the care
of the Rev John Holt Rice, ID. d., VINO
resigned the pastorate of the First Pres
byterian church OF Richmond in order 10
"a ~,
tuition has graduated more than thou
sand students for the holy ministry. IL
has an endowment OF over $3OO,O00 and a
corps OF brilliant professors five in num-
berthe Rev. Drs. w. w. Moore G. h.
Strlckler, c. c. Hersman, T. r. English,
y. c. Johnson, and an assistant, the Rev.
w. l.. Jingle
The privileges Of the seminary are free
TO divinity students of all denominations.
though the institution is the property of
the Presbyterian Church The Building
Committee in charge of the enterprise
here consists of Messrs. s. III. Halves G.
ID. Larus, j. S. Munce. and Rev. Dr. r.
=. Kerr. The architect was Mr.. Charles
II. Read, Jr., and the superintendent Of
construction is Mr.. Il. 7. ID. Myers, Jr.
Mr. ~ f.. Ancarrow has the contract for
all tho buildings. which have already as
sumed handsome proportions. This semi
nary of higher learning will be a great
acquisition TO our city.
The Finance Committee Of the work in
Richmond consists of Rev. DR.. h. p.
Kerr, Captain J. a. Coke and Messrs. G.
r. Cannon, and J. w. Sinton.
Public Schools of Richmond.
The public schools of Richmond have |
steadily grown in popularity and eff
cheney. The year 1897 has only served |
A. -fa nm hot
period 12,2A pupils were enrolled. These |
were distributed among IS buidings-1 |
for white pupils and for colored. Each |
building is presided over by a white prin-
cipal The 259 Scholastic white and 101 |
colored-are under the management of |
23S leadership white and rs colored.
The instruction has been of a high |
order, and the progress OF the pupils very
gratifying The affairs Of the system
have been economically administered, as
is shown by the fact that the cost per
capita Of pupils enrolled has only been
Sl2.53, including both tuition and general
expenses. The City School Board, the
governing body, is composed Of nine
members, who are elected by the City
Council. or this body. Hon. J. Taylor
Elyson is chairman, and Hon. Joseph c.
DickersOn is vice-chairman. air. William
Q II /
=. Rady is Clerk and Supervisor OF
The system provides for the education
of the child from the simplest primary
through the High School
The instruction thus afforded is an ex-
cellent one, whether as a preparation
for the business of life or as preparatory
TO institutions for higher learning. The
last session saw emanating from the
Richmond High School Il graduates in
the regular course; 81 in the post-gradu-
ate course. Is in photography and type
writing; 10 in the business course, and %
In the cooking course; from the colored
High and Normal School As graduates in
It's regular course.
The number of pupils in the two high
schools has steadily and rapidly grown.
till now the buildings are not capacious
enough to accommodate those who are
prepared TO enter. The rooms are dense
y packed. and yet there is not room
enough. Health and efficiency alike de-
mand an increase OF suitable accommo-
1ations in the near future.
4 new building. on the corner of Ran
lolph and Chafin streets, was completed
during the year 1896. While this addition
gives a much-needed relief to the build
ngs in that part of the city, the fact that
{ was at once filed with pupils, and
many were unable to get into the lower
grades, show that the demand is greater
han the accommodations This building
should have at least four rooms added.
The excellence of the work done, the
Intelligence and high character Of its
,fiicers and teachers, the unselfish de-
yotion of its Board of Trustees, and the
udcious economy with which its af-
airs have been administered, may we'll
,ause Richmond to look with pride upon
IS public school system.
The Catholic Schools.
There are ten Catholic schools-eight
white and two colored-in the city.
rhey are under the jurisdiction of the
Bishop, and are conducted by Religious,
Except ST. Patrick's School for Boys,
Principal, Mr.. j. A. Blake, and Sacred
Heart Parochlal School for Boys and
iris, principal, Miss Kerse. In these
which compare, in point OF
and excellence with those of {
my city in the country, there are more {
han 1900 scholars. The courses are very
borough, and in the girls school much
ttention is paid to special branches of
tudy and art.
Two of these schools-St. Peters Boys
chool, which Is managed by the Xaye- {
ian Brothers, at the corner OF Ninth and I
Iarshall streets, and st. Joseph's Acade- I
ny and Parochial School, which has for !
ears been successfully conducted at the
Orner of Fourth and Marshall streets by I
he Sisters of Charity-are run in con-
ection with st. Peters Cathedral.