Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-07-24

The WASHINGTON SCHOOL CONCERT AND Ex-
H1BIrIoN.-On Thursday evening the Jackson
street Methodist chapel was crowded at an ear
ly hour, by an immense audience of the friends
and patrons Of the Washington school, The
| high reputation Of that school, and universal
appreciation its former exhibitions had elici-
ted, was no cause of this, as also the fact of
the preparations known to have been made
to have this concert a chef d'eouvre. They
were successful, too, and we heard but one
opinion in regard to the whole affair, one of
| the highest commendation. The high char
| acter Of the exercises showed not only Sc
lect order of talent on the part of the scholars
who participated in them, but the careful
training that their excellent principal, Mr..
GATES had given them.
We have not list of the performers in
this interesting concert, as altogether over
hundred of the pupils we're participators in
the exercises, and we do not wish to make
any distir ctions or improper partiality by
singing out and praising any particular per-
son. They all did well, and all elected the
most unbounded praise from the large audi
ence. The perform ance showed what high
stan dard of culture has been attaine in that
school, which has not been in operation moro
than one scholastic year just compliment
to that model teacher j. H. GATES, whose
enthusiastic and untiring labors in bringing
the school to such perfect state of acquaint-
ance with the various branches taught, has
everywhere elected the commendaton of the
patrons of the school, We know of no one
who is so well fitted for this difficult post,
and the Board of Education should lease his
services for term of years.
Near the close of the exercises, eight boys
were presented as candidates for three prizes
for the best defamation. A committee hav-
ing been selected to decide on the respective
merits of the speakers, reported as follows:
"Your Committee find much embarrass-
| ment where all have done so well, in deciding
as to the merits of some of the speakers.
But as there must be selection, your COM
mittee have agreed to award the prizes as
| follows
| 1st Prize-J. II. Venier.
| Cd Prizc-Chas Goodwin.
| Sd Prize-Chas Zimmerman.
Your Committee would however, express
| their high admiration of the efforts of aH
Respectfully, ETC.,
F. SoMERs,
A. M. CARVER,
WIN. B. MEAD"
| Premiums were then awarded to some
twenty boys and girls, for the most perfect
recitations in the different classes, and diplo-
mas to some young graduates from one class
to another, and from one department to ar
other.
We noticed in the audience many strang-
ers from abroad, who expressed themselves
as surprised that in city so young as Saint
Paul, we have Schools of so high an order,
and such free facilities for obtaining an edu-
aation of no inferior character. If the STAN
dard of our Common School Education is to
be set so high, and the capabilities of the pu-
pills, by careful and perfect system, culti-
yatcd up to it generally, the Board of Edu-
cation were right in delaying the establish
ment of High School at present; it is not
needed.
The proceeds of the exhibition go towards
procuring maps, pictures, busts, cabinets,
ETC., for the Washington School, praise
worthy design on the part of Mr.. GATES,
who preferred raising funds by an exhibition,
to waiting on the School Board to furnish
them. The object is to make the School-room
still more attractive and interesting to the
pupils.
A vacation of few weeks commenced
yesterday, which will no doubt be apprecat-
ed by the scholars of the various City schools.
When Washington School next holds con-
cert
May We be there to ses,"
and hear.