Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-10

was held at the CITY Hall Yesterday afternoon to
take into consideration the annual report Of the
Secretary, which had been read and referred TO a
special committee for examination at the last
There were present, besides the President, 9.
1orke Alice, and the Secretary. :. A. III. Nc
and Pendleton.
The report was read and adopted
Mr.. Pearson nominated Miss Sarah Ecklof az
sub assistant Of the female department of the
Fourth District School confirmed.
Mr.. Mckim spoke upon the subject OF a musical
text book to be adopted and used in the Public
Schools. He stated that he had examined book
which Mr.. Daniel had proposed to introduce into
the schools over which he had charge, and found
dimentary work lie proposed to have the said
work adopted into all the schools whe music
was taught.
Mr.. Magruder objected to the proposition as
Mr.. Wilson though hit that the ado tion Of work
on music in the schools of this city was highly
improper, inasmuch as the City Councils had not
yet made any provision for the establishment Of
music branch of educatOn; he suggested
that no more be done with regard to the subject
until the Corporation should take some action in
the matter
30 the subject was dropped informally.
The Chair called the attention of the Board TO
an error which appeared in the list of books pub-
lished in city paper stating that he knew not
who gave the editor Of that paper the authority
TO publish an imperfect list. He pointed out the
fact that W crcester's Speller, which appeared in
that list, was not yet published and would not
I've oot Tor six weeks. Tie thought the committee
on BOOKS should have examined. with view to
correct such errors in the list contained. he did
not understand how tn committee could have
made decision upon the list in the face of all the
facts; he thought the committee could not have
examined IT very searchin9ly TO have overlooked
essential point
Mr. Magmder thought the most important duty
OF the Board consisted In jldicious selection Of
books for the Use Of the schools; IL the book was
on the list, and not yet published il surely could
not have been examined by the committee; he
haf Sf.r'- oil i,la
the list; carried. .
Mr. Pearson wished to know what the undef-
standing was in the Board in relation to the Die
tOnaTy which had been adopted bY the Board to
be used In the schools. He knew that the Board
had formerly decided upon the Use Of W orceSter's
school edition. but he had learned that w orcesters
book was used in the primary sc hools only and the
pupils were taught to pronounce according to that
standard, vet when they were admitted into the
district schools they Were introduced to Web
ster's Dictionary, which in many respects d fered
from Worcester's
The Chair stated that Worcester's was used as
aPronouncing dictionary in the district schools,
and that w ebster's large Dictionary was provided
fOr all the district schools a book Of reference,
being preferable to Worcesters in the number
and precision OF the definitions
Some discussion here arose upon the subject of
abe List OF books to be used in the public schools
Mr. PendletOn stated that the committee who
had been appointed to examining and report upon
the list had never done so, according their own
statement he thought that il the committee ne
elected their duties as members Of the Board, the
done his best TO examine the list and report upon
IL should not be censured by the Board. The
Secretary, who was the only member il seemed.
who had Interested himself in the matter SUf-
hciently make any examination Of the list was
IL would seem, under the imputatiOn Of having
transcribed his duty
The Chair made reply that the question of the
list Of books was now decided but that he and
others, members OF the Board. were struck al the
time the list had been reported upon by the words
OF the Secretary. who had used the term "the
committee unnHlHOHStU - IL
out that no member of the committee except the
Secretary had anything to do with the adoption
Of the list.
Mr. Magruder said that be had not made any
remarks in relation TO the matter which were un-
called for. But he was satisfied that the commit
tee had neglected their duty. He knew that for
merly the committee Of examination used to meet
and consult As many four or five times upon the
adoption Of the list, and it was considered an i'm
portant function by the Board. He did not desire
to reflect on any individual of the committee, but
a duty OF this nature should be properly dis
charged.
Mr.. Polk moved to reconsider the vote by which
the list had been adopted, and have IL referred
again to the committee
The Chair stated that no one now found fault
with the list but the discussion had arisen by
member wishing to vindicate another member
from an implied fault. The thing was now deci-
Did, and the Board satisfied
TIE Chair then presented the report Of the pro-
ceedings Of the Board Of Trustees OF Normal
Schools, and the regulations adopted at the first
meeting held at Madison Wisconsin July 18th
I-57, together with the laws creating the same
The Chair stated that the Legislature OF that
state had passed law giving p per centum Of
the pIoceeds Of the sale OF swamp lands granted
them by Congress to establish normal schools for
the education OF teachers. He said the proceed
ings Of that board would De useful hereafter to
tile board in many respects.
The report put on file; and. on motion of
Mr. Pearson, the Board adjourned sine die.
FIREs.-AbOut two o'clock this morning a de-
stTuctive fire occurred on the corner Of x and |
streets. Island which entirely consumed the shoe
store Of MIR. Spaes, standing the corner. and
the dwelling house of Mr.. POul ton, next door,
besides destroying 4 new unfinished building
which was being built by Mr.. Tell
The store Of Mr.. Spates a small one-story
frame, and his loss is estimated at 500. The loss
Is 81 90, covered by an insurance Of $500. Mr.
Tell loses $3.50, and is uninsured
The fire companies were on the spot very soon
after the IRE broke out. The American Hook and
Ladder Company We're active in exiting shiny
the flames, and also other fire companies that re.
manned on the ground until the flames were ell
tirelY eXtinguished.
About II O'Clock alarm was caused by the
burning Of a frame dwelling on NJ st.eet. near the
Navy Yard The house belonged to ID. Girer,
and was occupied by German family.
The frenIen were called out early in the night
By false alarm that originated in the Fifth
Ward, near the Capitol.
THER TvzR-The schr Commerce arrived yes
terday at the mouth Of the canal from Port De-
post, freig hted with lumber
At Gait YOung's wharf, arrived srhr Edo
rsdO, Capt Williams, from Philadelphia, with
Il3 rs Of coal for 4. J. < w II Gait and sloop
J. VI. Clayton, Capt. Hancock, from same port
with 20 tons Of coal for g. Waters
At Riley's- arrived schr Ready, Capt. Gala
ham, from Philadelphia, with -5 tons Of coal for
ii Fowler.
The steamer Maryland arrived up at 3 O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon, bringing one bundled and
thirty passengers. The Old Dominion Guards
who were expected to arrive by the MARYLAND
did not come up the cause for the change in their
plans il not stated. The Maryland passed of
NanjrmOy Reach, q large square rig upward
bound Also of White Point, passed upward
bound, Il large brig under full sail
The Powhatan in her passage up the river last
night, passed a large number o. coasters and a
large three n.asted schooner, bound up
CURIosITY-SOme days since we noticed
that type founder at Buffalo had completely en-
cased ripe pear in a coat Of copper by the cleo
tOtype process, and pected to preserve the fuit
for future generations We have now hef,rs uS n