Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-15
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS.
CorT,spoadsnes Of The Sfar. ....

GEORGETOWN, April Ia, 1857.
| Our citizens generally seem to be more alive to
the Importance Of public education at the present
! time than we have ever known them before, and
If the present little excitement upon the subject
shall result in securing to the town a system in
keeping with the age, and number of schools
adequate to the wants Of the people, We are sure
1t will be cause for congratulation to ALL We
fear, however, that the antici pations of mauy in
this particular are destined never to be realized
as memorial from the Guardians (of the Public
Schools) Is now pending before the Corporation
for permission to have the entire amount arising
from the poll tax placed to their credit, and be-
yond the control Of the Corporation, and to ex-
pend a largo amount Of it in altering and repair
ing The old building and furniture now occupied
by the few schools in existence. To grant the
pTSfer OF the Guardians at this time we think
would be altogether injudicous, for several rea-
sons. First, the fund asked for is evidently the
property OF the people, and as such their repre-
sentatives ought to be its only custodians In the
second place, some several hundred dollars have
been expended during the last year or two upon
this old building. And in the third place, we
Of the school fund for such purposes than is ac-
tually necessary to cleanse and purify the interior
or the building now in use, until schools shall
have been established in other portions Of the
town sufficient to meet the pressing wants Of the
people. And We feel satisfied that in this posi-
tiOn sustained by a very large majority of
those who contributed that portion of the school
fund arising from the school or poll tax. Neither
do we believe that they will consent to any other
disposition being made of their money than in
the establishment Of other schools.
We haye heard il whispered that an effort would
BE- made In City Councils to reduce the pres
ent standing appropriation (S2, ,50O) to the school
fund This we are not inclined to believe. The
Councils are composed Of gentlemen of too much
foresight, sound judgment, and public spirit to
take a retrogade step in matter Of so much mo-
ment at this day. Retrenchment In our Corpora
tion expenses, all will admit, is necessary; but
we expect to see il made in other quarters where
yvOuld nv hre, r.
ing up system, which has been in operation for
years, of running the Corporation in debt for
mach that could be dispensed with without any
previous sanction of law. Experience every
where has demonstrated the fact that nothing is
lost in educating the masses. Upon the contrary,
it is like bread cast upon the waters. Those COM
munities that are most liberal in this particular
are the most prosperous and happy.
We are one Of those who believe that the right
to hang or infict any other punishment for viola
tiOns Of law presupposes the right to educate.
According to this axiom, however, were we as
community weighed in the scales of even handed
Justice we should be found wanting; that many
Of those who have heretofore been punished for
violating the laws Of the Corporation would be
found to have been more sinned against than sim
ming. We therefore confidently hope and expect
ere long TO see our city placed upon footing, in
the matter OF public schools, with our sister city
Of Washington.
To enable the proper authorities to do this, we
think the present school fund, g., ,592, Is amply
sufficient. Let them, in the first place institute
and set in operation for the internal government
and direction Of the schools, such system as has
been in successful operation in Washington for
several years. Then let them establish six schools
two more than we now have; the additional ones
to be located In the western part Of the town.
That the school fund arising from the poll tax
and standing appropriation ffomthe general fund
is amply sufficient to carry into operation this
plan, we think we can demonstrate to the entire
satisfaction OF every candid mind, which we now
propose to do. as follows:
One male grammar school, teacher'ssalary, sssO
Junior department to do, do. do. $50
One female do. do. do. 400
Junior department TO do, do. do. 800
Two primary schools, teachers salaries
SOU each 5U
Fuel for six schools-four tons Of coal,
one cord Of wood and sixteen bushels
Of charcoal, each ch....................... 1856
Room rent for two additional schools. 1OU
Two new stoves for do. do. .... IS
Sixty new desks, etc, do. do. 80. 1s0
s3,O91
Leaving q surplus OF $500 for contingent and
extraordinary expenses. SPECTATOR.