Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28

T07s subject of manual training in the
.rs1ia schools OF Richmond is one which
.s receiving serious attention from the
e5ucators and city fathers at this time
,r5 the indications are that the system
vfii be introduced IN the public schools
Is soon as the finances Of the city are in
rrch a condition as TO permit the neces-
sarv expenditures and properly equipped
5gs2dings can be had for the purpose.
" W A Crenshew, the member of
Covacil from Clay Ward. who has given
lhs subject g great deal of his time and
Study. was yesterday asked for his views
co1cerrt-ss the practica bility Of inaugu-
yacirg the system. He said:
The feaspilit is clearly demonstrated
=, the combined expression of approval
If noted educators. such as Professors Ell
woodward. of ST Louis. and a large
number OF ciuzens Of this country. along
thts line.
s'In 1885. 81 cities IN the United States
aa3 manual training IN the public schools;
n lS94 8 cities; in 1886. II cities: in 1873.
as cities: in 1890. 16e cities: for 1889. the
following figures are obtained: Manual
5raining was taught in lol cities. in 25
states: in grammar grades, in 81 cities. in
% States; .kindergartens in go cities, in
i States. There being 1872 kindergar1ens.
caring for 10000 children In the high
chools referred to were 800 teachers and
5942 pupils; in the grammar grades. 4:4
aachers an6 11s.sS5 pupils. in the primary
trades were 70 teachers and ss,ssS pupils.
Ia schools cost s.66.l2l in IS states.
In Operation tn the South.
s'In addition to these, there were sixty
seven manual training schools for negroes
with 327 teachers and .o.S32 pupils and
geventeen manual training normal schools
In our own Southern States we find Geor-
gia has four cities. Athens. Columbus.
Waycross and Atlanta, with this branch
taught In the public schools In Missouri
rre find Carthage. Kansas City. Moberly.
ST. Louis. and Sedalia; North Carolina.
Asheville. Texas has Austin and Palestine:
Virginia shows Petersburg Lynchburg,
and stanton; Kentucky, Louisville. The
Northern States show up better. Penn
sylvania has six cities; Connecticut has
seven cities; New York has sixteen cities;
New Jersey has seventeen cities. and
Massachusetts, has thirty-seven cities.
These are taught in every grade, from
the lowest primary to the senior high
school grades. and embrace free-hand and
mechanical drawing. carpentry, wood
.JIrnirlg vice-work, farm and garden
work. carving clay modelling. pattern
making, forging. moulding, machine shop
and sloyd for boys; and cooking. folding.
clay modelling, swing, free-hand draw
Ing and paper cutting for girls.
Problem Solved.
These facts demonstrate clearly that
The problem has been solved. al to feasi-
hjIity and that we have failed TO keep
pace with eGuca tional advancementS about
ls.
The question has developed TO such
ea extent in other cities as 10 feasibility,
as to warrant the Legislature Of Massa-
tfusetts as early as 1894 in passing a law
compelling cities OF 20,010 habitants and
over 10 establish and maintain manual
training in all high schools. as we'll as
elementary schools We do not need TO
build any additional buildings as the
cavalry armory is not used now for any
purpose Arrangements may be made
rrfth the Mechanical Institute, the high
School could be arranged for N this man
rer. Kindergartens could be held in the
afternoon. or the assembly rooms could
oe used.
The feasibility is a fact OF so potent a
2ature as TO be considered an essenual
N the curriculum OF all well conducted
public schools system.
The educational necessity can be shown
by stating what results follow kinder
sarten and manual training methods
Use of the Kindergarten.
Kindergarten supplies the need that
III parents feel applies to their children