Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-01

, assessments in this city are lower than
they are in Richmond, which fact
makes the taxes still less here in ratio to
the same @s Of property in that city.
These things are stated in the way OF
business comparison and illustration, ana
is indicative of our prosperous condition
in this regard and the prospects for re-
duction in the future. But this tax rate.
it is hoped and believed. we can again re-
duce. as soon as our water and sewerage
connections are fully established and en-
forced. The streets and sidewalks are
gradually being improved. many of them
having had permanent improvements put
| upon them within the last year. and there
are now measures on foot to devise and
! execute more general and persistent eff
forts in this important matter. 1t Is
thought that the sidewalks will be made
of granolithic, in combination with turf
ing on each side of the walk, thus offer
ing pleasing contrast and green fresh
ness. so necessary and delightful. The
permanent improvements have been
brought about by wise policy and adj
mnistraticnv on the part Of the street
committee of the city council. which
seemed resolved to abandon temporary
eNpedients. and the future improvement
of the streets and sidewalks will be, it is
believed, along different lines from those
pursued IN the past. "A pldH Is on manu-
to raise shade trees and furnish them to
the owners Of property to plant on the
streets in front of their lots This will
prove a popular move on the part of the
council and will greatly tend to beautify
and improve the city.
; We observe that the educators Of the
! State are more thoroughly aroused as to
the importance of progressive and adj
vanced educa tional facilities and methods
~, - III
many ways-in the more general discus
sion Of educational matters. the selection
Of active and sEillful teachers. the adop.
ton OF the most carefully prepared and
practical textbooks. the accomplishment
of more work in the schools in a given
time. the enrichment of school courses
from the primary to the high schools
with things that are practical as well
as ornamental. the advancement Of high
schools. and the insstence of the local
boards in pressing for more money to
; meet the needs of the schools. These VI.
tally important matters are gradually be-
coming the work Of thinking and ex-
! perienced men, who have the system
deeply at heart. and are willing to think.
heed and work Notably, are these
things true of the growing. cities of Vir-
ginia. This great movement is marked
in them by the erection Of more and bet
ter built and better equipped school
houses. the selection of the best teachers.
the extension Of school courses. the strict
er enforcement of discipline, the incIu-
sion in the various grades Of instruction
CT the laws OF health. the rules Of moral
lty and good conduct, the study Of civics.
nature study. drawing. music, physical
exercises. bookkeeping, cooking, clay
modelling, and manual training and many
other useful things. which, are being
taught from the lowest to the highest
grades.
The larger number of children, who at
tend school. leave pcrma nently, when
about fourteen years Of age. and go into
the. world totally unfit to meet its re-
qui.ements in Information. moral strength
ant aptitude for work. This practical
teaching in the lower grades tends to
lessen these defects and disadvantages
and gives children from the time they en-
ter. until they leave school such training
as will best inure to their welfare; so 1t
ma tiers not when they leave school,. they
always carry with them some training in
and knowledge Of these practical. neces-
sary things. that give strength in virtue
and aptness in work. Under the present
system in this state (and it is very pre-
calent condition we must admit, the shil-
dren are mainly trained to some extent
in mere educational matters. but they
have virtually no training in these essen
tial things of everyday living and work.
The object of the movement is to meet
these demands and to make teaching:
while strongly educative. also conducive
to the formation and strengthening Of
character. the building up and preserva-
ton OF health. and the practical appIica-
ton of knowledge to the needs of life: so
as to more completely. fit children leav-
ing our schools for the duties and exac-
f3oa jrf1 a {ofn