Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-24
"a, 1899
qrD MECHANICS, INSTITUTE.

At a recent meeting of the officers ard
Board Of Directors Of the Ginter Memo
rial Association II was resolved that With
the consent Of the subscribers, the money
raised 10 establish an institute Of tech
nology as a memorial 10 Major Ginter be
turned o~ar 10 tho Virginia Mechanc5
Institute We can hardly doubt that
when the situation Is explained and the
necessities OF the Mechanics Institute
and its higher aims are understood, the
desired consent Will be readily given.
Moreover. we would fam believe that the
fund I'm hand will be literally augmented
by the publc-sprted citizens Of Rich-
moud That 10 ought 20 zoe, there IS no
question in our mind.
Than the Virginia Mechanics institute
no institution of It's character I'm the
country IS doing better work in the face
of greater difficulties. Despite of cramp-
"a and inconvenient quarters, imperfect
equipment and exceedingly limited in
come Il IS. through its graduates. max
ms a marked impression I'M the industrial
world scores of its former pupils are TO
be found I'm more or less prominent posi-
lions n the field of the mechanic and
cornate arts I'm this and other cities. and
scores Of its present scholars arc nightly,
and after doys OF toll. preparing them
selves TO become active forces in enter
prises and vocauOus that Will contribute
TO the material upbuBding Of the country.
When We remember that most of the
students IN tho Mechanics Institute are
bread-vinners during the DAY. we know
OF no more inspiring sight than Is pre-
scented at the institution during school
hours--the sight, in some OF the rooms,
OF young men, packed almost like sar-
dimes IN a box, who have abandoned all
recreation Ga order that they may secure
educational advantages otherwise beyond
thar reach. The scene illustrates at once
the true manhood of those who make the
sacrifice, and the noble mission of the
institute, which is to help those who arc
willing TO help themselves.
But tho work the Virginia Mechanics
Institute has done and Is doing Is only
an earnest OF what 1t could DO were 1t
on a broader foundation as so accommo-
dations and equipment a short time ago
tho institute purchased with legacy
that had come TO il the two buildings
Oh the northwest corner OF Broad and
Eleventh streets. These buildings might
DO remodeled so that they would be
much better ADAPTED for the work OF 'he
school than the present quarters. But rc
L.. In fhnrf1
would afford che institute the nome
II ought to have. Remodelling would be
match work at best. Ii would be simply
an expedient, IL the institute Is ever tc
measure up to its possibilities as FAC
tor IN stimulating industrial progress
What Is needed is a building entirely rev
from basement TO roof, constructed with
an eye single TO the necessities OF me-
chanfos' institute and school of tech
nology, IN all that comes within the
scope oe such an institution. The ground
covered by the Broad and Eleventh
streets houses is ample for the required
structure. ana this could be erected and
equipped al q small cost, compared with
tho benefits Richmond alone would de-
rive from the yearly additions Of techni.
cally educated young men tho institute
would make to her population
our city has entered upon a new era OF
industrial development but If We are Ga
turn 60 account 10 the fullest our natural
advantages as a manufacturing centre
We must have just such a source OF
stimulus. Of diversified industrial enter.
prises as wocld be supplied in a me
chanlcs' institute and school OF teen
nology OF the first rank-we must have
a school Of the order the authorities OF
the Virginia Mechanics Institute would
make their charge were Il in their power
IL Is, therefore 10 be hoped that IN,
board OF the institute will not only bt
given the cash collected for the Gmtei
memorial fund. but that the amount OF
that fund viii be so INCREASED by sub
scripuons from public-spirited citizens as
20 insure the erection and equipment O,
new and up-to date mechanics insu-
tute home Subscriptions 10 that Object
would be In the nature Of sound invest
ment Unless Richmond proposes 90 ig.
more her opportunities for becoming q
hive OF varied Industries. demandipi
trained hands minds and eyes, aionf
archaeological lines. our people cannot af
fosa not 10 invest Ia a new mechanics