The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-14
MANUAL ! / | L TRAINING |!
IN CITY SCHOOL S
Splendid Address Made by Cap
tain vawter.
MEETING HELD YESTERDAY Err
Col. w. II. Palmer Presided and Intro-
duced the Distinguished Speaker at
the Meeting Held in Chamber
of Commerce Building.
MEETING HELD YESTERDAY

Under the auspices OF the new City
Council an important and enthusiastic
meeting was held yesterday afternoon at
the Chamber of Commerce, the ultimate
result of which is likely to be the intro
duction of a manual course OF inSsrdo-
ton into the public schools Of the city.
Captain c. z. Vawter, principal OF the
Miller Manual Labor School, Of Aloe
marie county, was present by invitation
to make the address and tell what he
knew about manual training, and alter
hearing him it was the opinion OF all
hearing him it was the opinion OF all
course into the three lower grades Of the
city's schools, and it's gradual extension
throughout the entire course, was most
advisable, and that it could be done with
very little additional expense. W. A.
Crenshaw, member-elec OF the City
Council, is one of the prime movers IN
the scheme, which is in line with the gen
eral movement now so evident OF giving
moro importance to the manual training
Of men and women than has heretofore
existed, especially in the South.
COL. PALMER'S INTRODUCTION.
Colonel W. II. Palmer, president OF the
City Bank introduced Captain Vawter in
a few graceful words. saying:
''The object Of our meeting this even
ing is to consider the introduction OF
technical education into the public schools
of this city-the education Of the hand
That we may get the best view, the gen
tIemen interested in the subject have IN
vited the man having the largest eS-
perience in this work, one whose HE mas
been devoted to making self-rcspectlng
citizens, equipped for the battle OF lie
from the lowest walks Of life. 1t is
source of satisfaction that We co not
have to go out of our State for the III
formation we seek.
"a captain OF the sharpshooters OF the
Stonewall Brigade has solved the prob
lem Of technical education in Virginia,
and hope he will be able to tell us that
it Is practicable for us in Richmond to
add this feature to public instruction
within the amount now expended in our
public schools. If he cam we will owe him
a debt Of gratitude, for this instruction
Is Sorely needed
II beg to introduce to you Captain g.
E. Vawter, principal Of the Miller Manual
Labor School and late rector of the I1r-
ginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacks
burg
GRADUAL PROCESS.
Captain Vawter made an able address
showing his thorough familiarity with ms
theme in all its details, and carrying the
conviction always inseparable from a
speaker who is master of his subject and
knows from experience the facts where
Of he speaks. For nearly two hours
manual training and the advantage of
the system He showed to the satisfac-
ton of his auditors that the system could
be introduced in the public schools of tho
city with very little additional expense.
and to the incalculable benefit not only
OF the city, but Of the State and nation
as well.
Captain vawter, however, urged the
members of the new Council to make
haste slowly. The best results would
be achieved, he thought, by the gradual
introduction Of the system. Begin at
the bottom, he said. Introduce the sys-
tenn into the lower grades, and from
them let it go on up higher and higher
until it is completely installed in every
grade in every school in the city. AS for
the systems, there were many good ones.
But he regarded as the best that of the
New York Teachers College. which is an
annex of Columbia University.
IMPORTANT RESULTS.
The results of the meeting promise
to be Of great benefit to the schools of
the CITY for those present were enthu-
siastic in their approval of the project
and it is practically deciGed that the
manual training will be introduced IN
the three lower grades of the public
schools of the city. and that from them
it will grow and prosper is foregone
conclusion.
The subjects to be taught in the new
system are sewing, cooking, clay-model-
ling. woodworking and drawing Which
of these will be introduced at first has
not been determined upon, as all he
plans are as vet in embryo and the meet
ing at the Chamber of Commerce yes
terdav was the first public step that has
been taken along this line.