The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-19
Our Public School Buildings.

Our Public School Buildings.
Several days ago we submitted some
| remarks through these columns upon the
| subject OF utilizing the public school
| buildings OF the city during the idle hours
| for purposes or incidental education. Spe-
| cial notice was made OF the system in
| vogue In New York city of using the
| buildings at odd times for night schools,
for popular lectures and for purposes OF
recreation. II is hardly necessary to sny
that the efficient members OF the school
board OF Richmond had already given
careful consideration to this subject, but
there are obstacles III the way which
for the time being cannot he overcome.
Foremost OF all Is the lack OF sufficient
means. 1t requires nearly tile entire APP
preparation to carry on the day schools,
and tho members Of the board say that
unless there should he a material lii
crease they would not be able to open the
buildings at night and provide light ana
fuel, and the service OF instructors and
1anitors. A faithful attempt was made
to carry on night schools, but the at
was abandoned, although It is proposed
to open at an early day a night school
In Fulton.
It is l,l1nilating to state that ct one
point, where n night school was In pro-
gross, n gang of touEhs hung around
at night and made themselves so often.
sive that 1t was necessary to call for
police protection and as this could not
be procured watclmnn was employed,
and was set upon by the toughs. and
beaten. Tic toughs made these raids be-
cause they were opposed to having any
of their fellows attend q night school!
But, fellow.citiEens OF Richmond, in the
name of public morals and common de-
cency, and in the name OF humanity, does
this not show that some sort of edit
cationnl and moral influences should be
brought to bear upon these enemies OF
education? Does 1t not show that night
schools or some sort of schools for that
element are sadly needed.
we WISH 10 SlHIe zlntt the nIllClCa III
question was written In no dictatorial
spirit, but in a spirit OF suggestiveness.
It Is for those In charge to determine
whether or not such suggestions as these
are practicable, and the members Of the
school board say that they are not with
the present means at their command.
This does not alter tho fact. however,
that our school buildings should be used
as much as possible for Incidental in
struction, and when public sentiment Is
ripe for 1t, it goes without saying that
the means will be Forthcoming.
VIC take pleasure in stating that the
members Of the school board are now
endeavoring to educate public sentiment
in these directions. Under recent pro-
vision teachers In the several schools
authorize their pupils to invite parents
or guardians to attend school during re-
citation hours, and see for themselves
tions are appreciated, and large per-
centage OF parents and guardians at
tend. Arrangements have also been
made for lectures to the patrons Of the
schools, to teachers and to pupils, es-
pecial attention being given to the lee
lures to patrons. A number Of distin-
guished educators from various parts
OF the State have agreed to supply the
lectures and good results will be forth
coming.
All these agencies are being employed
for the education of popular sentiment, |
and 1t is sentiment that makes the laws
and supplies the money. We are from
all this encouraged to believe that the
time will come when each and every |
public school building in Richmond will
be All educational center, when there
will be few idle hours. and when this
great and expensive plant will be utll- |
lied to Its full capacity in the direction
OF popular education.