Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-10
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

PuBLIc SoHooLs.---The monthly meeting of the
Board OF Trustees was held on Wednesday even
ing Present, DR.. Charles w. Davis, Chairman,
Messrs. Bennett, Dickinson, Polk, Bacon, Lord,
Magruder, Hanson, and AtLee.
The minutes Of the previous meeting were read
and approved
Reports were received from all the teachers,
with the exception Of the two male teachers of the
Male Primary schools in the second and fourth dis
trcts and the teachers Of Primary schools, No. j,
second district and No. and No Q, fourth district.
A letter was received from William Dixon, Esq,
resigning the office Of trustee in the third district
On motion of Mr. Hanson, John u. Bates, Esq,
was unanimously appointed 10 fill the vacancy.
A letter was received from Mr.. John Fill, Prin-
cipal OF third district school, relative to the dapl-
dated condition Of his school house," the inconve-
nience and injury caused by the crowded state Of
the school room; its backless seats and deficiency
of school apparatus 1t was referred to the sub
Board of the district.
A letter was received from Mr. j. f. Thompson,
Principal Of fourth district school recommending
the use Of "Bulion's English Grammar"
On motion Of Mr.. Bennett, it was referred to the
committee on books.
copy of Shurtleifs Governmental Instructor
was received from the author, which, on motion Of
Mr.. Alice was referred to the committee on books
with instructions to report at the next meeting.
On motion of Mr.. Bacon, the b-Board Of the
second District authorized, temporarily to fill
the Office of assistant in the male department. of
second District school, vacated by the absence Of
Mr.. Grant
A communication was received from Augustus
Eason, asking for permanent situation in the
second District; also, one from Mrs. s. M. Ken
nedy, enclosing a testimonial from Mcssrs. w. II.
Campbell and L. Coyle, desiring employment as a
teacher; all Of which were referred to the Com
mittee Of Examination Of Teachers.
Mr.. Bennett presented Mr.. Hhrvey's bill for fuel,
which was referred to the Sub-Board of the Se-
cond District. ,sGf
Mr. McGlue's bill for rent was referred to Sub
Board Of First District
In compliance with votesof previous meeting
of the Board, the Secretary submitted report on
the condition Of the scho0lhouses now owned or
rented by the Corporation, which was adopted by
the Board; and, ON motion of Mr. AtLee, order
ed to be sent to the Mayor, with request that it
be communicated to the Board Of Aldermen and
Mr.. Hanson moved, inasmuch as the trustees
are responsible for the proper use of the city prop
erty intrusted tother care that the schoolhouses,
owned or occupied by the Corporation, be used for
no other than public school purposes which mo-
ton was unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Bennett called the attention Of the Board to
the condition Of the school-room at the corner Of
18th and H streets-t being in the damp basement
of Church. below the surface Of the ground, bad
ly lighted and ventilated, and much too small for
the accommodation Of l4Opupils, and two teachers,
with no playground, except small space about
twelve feet wide, bounded on one side by the
Church, and on the other by an open and filthy
sewer which, in the opinion of the physicians, has
been fruitful cause Of sickness among pupils and
teachers
1t having been found Impossible to obtain suit
able schoolroom in the first district, it was re-
solved, on motion Of Mr.. Bennett, that the SUBJ
Board be authorized to occupy room temporarily
in the second district.
Mr.. Hanson moved that committee be appoint
ed to act in concert with the Secretary of the
Board, and with the joint committee of the City
Councils, before the District Committees of the
two Houses of Congress, and recommend the
adoption of such measures as will carry out the
recommendation of the Secretary Of the Interior,
that the proceeds of the public lots within the city
of Washington be applied exclusively, by the Cor
porate authorities, to the promotion of public edu-
cation within the city.
The Chair appointed Messrs Hanson Alice,
Polk, Dickinson, and Magruder.
The Secretary was directed, on motion of Mr..
Bacon to to be printed, If should be found
necessary supply Of blank forms Of admission for
the use of the trustees
On motion of Mr.. At Lee, the Secretary was in
structed to notify the teachers officially that no
text books but such as are authorized by the Board
shall be used in the public schools.
Mr.. Polk moved that committee, consisting Of
one from each District, be appointed to report at
the next meeting, what further appropr ation is
needed to enable the trustees 10 supply the public
schools with necessary furniture and apparatus.
Messrs. Polk, Lord, Hanson, and Pearson were ap-
pointed the committee.
On motion of Mr. Bennett the Committee on
Examination of Teachers were requested TO APP
point day, previous to the next meeting for the
examination Of applicants for situations in the pub
lie schools
On motion of Mr.. AT Lee, the Secretary was re-
quested to prepare history of the public school
system since its establishment in 1850.
The Secretary requested, on motion Of Mr..
At Lee, TO codfy the various provisions and laws
Of the Corporation respecting public schools.
On motion OF Mr.. Bacon the Secretary was re-
quested to obtain from the Mayor a copy Of the
laws of the Corporation, for each of the members
Of the Board.
On motion Of Mr.. At Lee he was also directed
10 make arrangements with the Superintendent Of
the Fair Of Metropolitan Mechanics Institute, for
the admission to the exhibition, at reduced price,
of the pupils Of the public scbools-
Mr. At Lee moved that the Board now proceed
to its permanent organization; Mr.. Polk being In
the chair.
Mr.. Davis moved that the gentlemen then acting
as officers Of the Board, viz Mcssrs Polk, Bacon,
and Abbot, be appointed respectively, Chairman,
treasurer, and Secretary OF the Board. MIS- DIX
having declined the nomination, DR.. Charles w.
Davis was unanimously elected Chairman, and P.
+. Bacon, Esq, Treasurer.
Mr.. Dickinson then nominated Robert w. Bates,
Esq.,, TO fill the Office Of Secretary
The ballots being counted, II appeared that Mr..
George ]. Abbot had received seven, Mr.. Bates
one, and blank one. The former gentleman was
declared elected Secretary Of the Board.
Thereupon the Board adjourned.
BKxxvoLrsr EsrxRrRrsr.-A number Of our
citizens who withhold their names from the public,
win on Monday next, at o'clock, supply all persons
who are poor and needy, with bread and groceries.
This is genuine and practical charity, Invested
entirely Of the ceremonious pomp and display which
not unfrequently accompanies benevolence. A
private fund has been raised, and the contributors