The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-13
THE REPUBLIC.

J. f. Wollard, f. G. Handy, and Wilson, who had
been on the lookout, got intimation of losses
susta ned by respectable lady of this city, from
whose house property had been purloned, and sus
picion was fixed upon several persons known to be
connected with some of the servants in Mr. Fuller's
employ. Search was accordingly made in the house
of Charles Gordon, whose wife had been employed
by Mr.. F., and in the house of Mary Common. More
than a hundred dollars worth of towels, sheets.
pillow cases forks, China ware, &c, was
ed and one man and three women were brought
before Justice Beck, who committed them for trial
before the Criminal Court Others of the party will
yet be invited TO keep these people in countenance
The greatest grief of huusekeepers in this city
occasioned by the want OF good servants. In Phil
adelphla aud New York servants are abundant,
while with the highest wages will hardly com
nand even the most ndifferent kinds The reason
chiefly gned for the white people of other cities
not seeking employment with lie, that our par
ta supply Of colored persons, fl &C and slave, pre-
vents the ingress Of the first named class
The subject is of importance, and it would be
well To consider il seriously The safety of our pro-
perty, and the comfort of homes are not light
matters We would invite the attention of expe.
renced housekeepers to the matter, and would
thank them for any suggestions they have to offer.
Perhaps by concerted movement reform could
be effected. The amusing farce Of "Iiigh Life be-
low Stairs when first performed in London, was
said to have produced salutary effect upon mas
tiers and servants. At present we are accustomed
to like farce in real liie and therefore need some
thing more serious as corrcctor of abuses.
PRIMARY ScHooL No. 4 or THE SECOND Dis
TRIcT.-Thc examination of this school took place
on Thursday evening, in the presence of Messrs.
Adams, Harbaugh, Farnhan, and Abbott, Of the
fba- f., l.J,.
and gentlemen
Mrs. Ogden is the principal, and Miss Billing
the assistant teacher. There are enrolled one hun
dred and thirty three pupils but, in consequence
OF the late oppressivey warm weather, but ninety
six are now in attendance. The school has, we be-
lieve, been but ten months in existence. AT its
commencement, but few of its pupils had made any
progress III learning. At this examination, how
ever, there was fine array of well taught chill
dren, Of admirable demeanor The intelligent and
lady like character Of the teachers had been
Elected upon the whole school Every thing evinced
the utmost regard for delicacy and propriety Of
conduct. There was subdued, easy, and con
siderate manner that told well for the system of
discipline pursued
The classes were examined in spelling, reading,
writing, arithmetic, geography, &c, for the pro
gress made in all of which departments the nvol-
Songs were sung by the whole school, and all
who heard them reioiced that the principal had
added delightful accomplishment to the pre-
scribed instructions, and desired most earnestly
that vocal music should be adopted IL necessary
part of the instruction of all the schools.
The examination being concluded, Mr.. q. J.
Abbott, OF the Board of Trustees, and another gen
tieman, addressed the children in words of kind
ness and encouragement, and besought them To
devote themselves to their school, and thus TO do
their part in encouraging the cause OF education.
They were III an especial manner charged to
honor their teachers, whom the trustees and all
others honor ornaments to the public school sys
TEN of Washington.
We will here only add that no rejecting and in
tellgent person in our community be prescnt
at these examinations, and withhold the need ofap
probation and the words of encouragement that
form the tribute of all who have thus far attended
them. They surely disparaged by none who have
ever looked fairly into their merits Yet we do not
deny that there is room for improvement They
but in their infancy, and need as they merit,
to be cherished into maturity Of greater excel
lence and usefulness.
STEAMER OscEoLA.-see the advertisement for a
notice Of the change in the time Of departure.
BRIEF SKETCH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS or
WAsHISsroS.-The public attention having been
attracted to the subject by the examinations now in
progress, short account Of our public schools may
not be uninteresting.
The first election of City Councils was held on the
18th June, 1902, and almost Immediately after not
withstandng the heavy expenses incurred in found
ing new city in the wilderness, attention was
given TO the establishment of schools for the poor by
tle cit he foil IL he 10 n
passed October 18th, 1906 Impressed with a
sense of the inseparable connexion between the
education Of youth and the prevalence of pure
morals, with the duty Of all communities to place
within the reach of the poor well as the rich the
ncstimable blessings of knowledge and with the
high necessity of establishing at the scat of the
General Government proper scmlnarics OF learn
ing, the City Council do pass act TO establish and
endow permanent institution for the education al
youth in the city Of Washington" BY this act the
sum Of 3 500 placed in the hands Of Board
Of Trustees, who were authorized to make adequate
provision in private schools, at the expense of the
city, for the education of children whose parents
reside in the city and unable to defray the ex
penses Of their education. In ls05 the first school
| established by the city, and placed under the
care of board of trustees, and provision made
for the reception Of rather more than one hundred
pupils AT an expense Oh hDOut 0'O III loip an hl-
ditiona school was established From 1920 to ls45,
these two schools conducted in part on the
Lancasterian system, and the number Of pupils
averaged from two hundred and fifty to three hun
dred and fifty, annually. During most Of the time
but two teachers employed, and the cost Of
the schools about = 700 year. Occasional
appropriations made in aid of charity schools
under the care of benevolent individuals. Into the
two public schools none admitted but such as
were unable to pay for their tuition in private
schools. Whenever pupils were found OF pccu-
liarly bright and active minds, the trustees
were authorized to educate them in private
schools of higher grade, at the city expense. In
1926, $4,000 were appropriated and solcmnly
pledged and set apart for ever, for the purpose OF
endowng public schools and the mayor was au-
thorized to keep il vested in six per cent. stocks
This fund now by careful management, amounts
TO little over $4,000
In lsa0 and ls4l the late Mayor called the attcn
ton of the Councils in vain TO the expcdiency OF
extending the provisions for public school nstruc
Il