Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-28
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

THE PUBLIC ScHooLs.-Though we have
referred to this topic twice within few weeks
past, there yet remain several points hereto
fore untouched, to which we desire TO call pub
Inc attention. Of these the most important is
that of houses, or rooms for the accommodation
OF our public schools. There are not only
nothing like an adequate number of these for
the accommodation Of the public schools which
ought to exist in this city, but very few Of
those now in use are fit for the purpose. 1t is,
perhaps, not generally known to our citizens
that most Of our public schools are taught in
buildings rented for that purpose; yet such is
the case, and in obtaining them the Trustees
appear to have been compelled to abandon all
choice, and accept more or less of those they
now occupy without reference to their suit
ableness. The consequence il that several Of
the schools are located in dark, damp base
ments where the health of teachers and schol
ars is constantly exposed. Others are in one
story frame buildings, in which during the
winter it is next to impossible to keep the
temperature sufficiently warm for comfort; and
in summer the heat of the sun on the roof rem
ders the interior so disagreeably hot as to make
confinement there almost uncomfortable Others,
again, are located in neighborhoods where the
dust from the streets harnesses the inmates,
and the din of travel, workshops, &C., makes
application to study extremely difficult; while
there are necessarily frequent interruptions
in the lessons, because of the noises outside
making it impossible for the teachers and
scholars to hear each other, without elevating
their voices considerably above a natural key.
Under these adverse circumstances, we were
surprised at the results Of the late examina-
tions How the teachers contrived to improve
their scholars so rapidly as many Of them have
done, was really q cause for establishment.
Imagine, for instance, two full schools, COM
prising some sixty scholars EACH taught in the
same room, in the basement of n church, which
is so poorly lighted that it is difficult to read
fine print at little distance from the windows,
and where, on entering the room, the damp and
noxious atmosphere is really offensive to the
nostri;s. Could you, reader, teach or learn in
a place like that? Yet such is fair descrip-
ton of the room where the schools of Miss
Adams and Mrs. Martin are taught Or,
imagine, again, a she'd rooted frame house,
one story high, built against the side of two
story building, with the roof inclined to the
south. Here, in cold weather, the inmates are
almost constantly shivering with cold and in
summer, the sun shines all day long on the
roof, heating the air within to such a degree
that it is difficult to breathe. Such is the room
in which Miss Emma Reeds school is taught
Again, The school in Judiciary Square is
in close proximity to stone-cutting establish
Inent, whore large number of hands are con-
stantly employed, and the clatter of mallets
and chisels, with other noises, prevents you
from hearing anything spoken in a converse
tional tone across the room, while ever and
anon the wind watts binding cloud of dust
into the apartment. We instance these three
cases to show that there is good cause for COM
plant; and can assure our readers that they
are no worse than several others. AS for play
grounds, very few of the schools enjoy such
felicitous appendages while one, at least, Mr.
Edson's, is so situated that when child steps
out of the door it is in danger of being run
over.
From a census taken last December, by a
committee appointed conformity by the Educa-
tional Convention and the Board of School
Trustees, it appears that there are in this city
1857 children of the proper age to be attend
ing schools. Of these 1909 NEARLY one half
do not go to any school; 1928 belong to private
schools, and only 2,400 are accommodated in
our public schools; and heaven preserve them
from such accommodations as these afford The
palpable reason that there are not more in the
public schools is, that the schools are all full
Numbers apply annually who are necessarily
denied admission, and many more would, no
doubt, apply were they not made aware by
those who have been unsuccessful, of the use
lessness of the attempt. Thus, it will be per-
ceived, that great in Justice towards large pro-
portion of the children in this city is being
constantly perpetrated, and remedy is loudly
demanded The School Trustees do not have
it IN their power to remedy these evils for they
are only authorized to expend some $25, 900
annually to pay the salaries of forty teachers
the officers of the board, rent of school-rooms,
&c. 1t seems hardly possible they can do as
we'll as they have done with the means at their
disposal. The remedy must, therefore, come
from other sourccs-from Congress and tho cit
liens. We have, however, already exceeded
our allotted limits with this article and, there
fore, leave the subject for the present, conjur-
ing our felow-citizens to arouse to a proper
consciousness Of its Importance, and determ-
ination that an efectual remedy for the evils
complained of shall be speedily applied.
From NEW YORK