American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-24
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
IT COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OF COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
To The MAYOR and City Council Of Baltimore:
GENTLEMEN, The Commissioners of Public
Schools, in obedience TO the ordinance estab-
fishing the schools, have the honor to submit
their report for the year 1874, being the six
teenth annual Report
The board was organised in January last by
the election of John f. Emery, President, and
Henry 5. Sanderson Treasurer. Mr. John w.
nlyard, the former clerk of the board, was con-
tinued in Office.
During tho year Mcssrs Joseph A. Ramsey,
II. Willis Bailey, VIM. F. Frck, and Britain
Chase have been appointed by the board to fill
vacancies created by the resignation of Messrs.
Hugh A. Cooper, Samuel Harris Sam1 Mass,
and A. Fl. Pennington.
On the LIST of February last, the school house
at the corner of Cove street and Ridgely alley,
for the accommodation of male and female No.
8, was completed, and opened with respecta-
BILE number of scholars. 1t has been insured in
the Firemen's Insurance office for $4,000.
Agreeably to communication made to the
last Council, the commissioners have establish
ed higher grade of female schools, in which
the different branches ola liberal education may
be taught.
While this arrangement is necessary to the
perfection of the system, it also increases the
hitherto much of the principals time was ne
cessarily devoted to few advanced pupils to
the unavoidable neglect of the great body of
scholars. AS females are more delicate than
males, and cannot attend school at a remote
distance, especially in incement weather, con-
venience seemed to require two schools, one in
the cast and the other in the west. AS the
house at the corner of Front and Pitt streets,
known as Female No. 8, was nconvenient and
in decaying state, the commissioners contract
ed with Mr.. VIM. II. Hooper for the erection
Of building ON its site, that would accommo-
date the eastern female High School and fe
male No. 9. The house has been erected, and
is so feet long by "a teet-is two stories high
with convenient study and recitation rooms-is
built in Il neat and substantial manner-and
cost with its furniture, $500. The High
School occupies the second story, the primary
school the first story. For the western female
High School, a commoGious building has been
rented in Paca street, near Fdyette, at 5000
per annun. For these schools the services Of
able and experienced teachers have been OBJ
tanned, and though they have but recently gone
into operation, we anticipate the most bench
cial results to the system from their establish
ment. Mr.. David Ring is principal of the
eastern female High School: MIR. Robert Kerr
of the western. Their salary is $3.50 per an
nun.
In obedience to an ordinance of the City
Councils, approved March llth, "authorising
and directing" tho commissioners to purchase
for the High School the property known as the
Assembly Rooms and Theatre Tavern, the
commissioners purchased the aforesaid proper
ty at price of S23 900, and obtained deed fol
the same. They have paid $4,000 OF the pur
chase money, and given the obligations of the
city, signed by the board as agents, for the re
naming $4,000, in three annual instalment
of equal amount.
The tavern has been removed, and its forme
site makes a suitable yard for the accommoda
ton of schools in the building. The room OF
the first floor of the building, occupied by mall
school No. 8, was found too small for the mum
Der of pupils in attendance. The school was &C
cordingly divided, and the junior pupils, undo
the care of MIR. M'Nevn, the assistant, wer
transferred to the basement, which had been al
tered and fitted up in convenient manner TO
their use. Results demonstrate the prudenc
and economy of the purchase of this property
Besides accommodating three schools; the Ii
brary room and saloon afford clear revenue o
three and half per cent. on the purchase mo
ney. Nor will this revenue be much impaired
under the most extended operations of the higl
school: for as the school will probably never re
auire the use of the saloon except for lectures
which will take place during the day, this occu
patton of the saloon need not prevent its being
rented at night for lectures, concerts and TIT
like entertainment.
The High School, which at its institution ha
a signal effect in recovering the schools from
their declension, and has contributed so much t.
give responsibility and permanency to the sys
TEN, still maintains its reputation, and wit
increased facilities, gives evidence of increase
usefulness. Though its expenses are consider
able when compared with those of other schools
they have not at any time exceeded or eve
been commensurate with the objects conten
plated and secured by its operation.
Several considerations have induced the com
1nissioners 20 discontinue the night schools
First and chehy-that the number OF scholar
in attendance, and the amount oil good accom-
plshed did not justify the necessary expense
keeping them open-that early youth when tn
will is tractable, and the disposition docile, is
season more favorable for improvement than
later period when the mind is troward and IN
patient of restraint-and that those who ne
elected to avail themselves in early lite OF I'll
advantages afforded by the public day school,
cannot reasonably expect the city again
make provision for them at triple the expense
The principle of desiring the greatest good
the greatest number from the smallest expend
ture, forbds such an expectation.
Tho night schools would seem, in some il
Stances to afford undue advantages to som
as in the case of those who may have lare
number of apprentices under them, for the ed
eaton Of whom they have received valuab