The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-20
CITY

THE PRoGREss OF EDUCATION. An examination of the
pupils OF Union Academy, in charge Of Mr.. q Richards,
will be held on Monday and Tuesday next, commencing
ut 0 o clock in the morning OF each day, and the regular
monthly meeting of tho Teachers Association of the
District will be held on the irst Wednesday in April
next. The meetings Of this Association have stirred up
no little interest in the cause Of education in this city,
have aided in no small degree to introduce admirable re-
forms in the school system, and il is not expecting too
much of them, when we anticipate a continuance of their
labors in behalf Of those who are now unable to enjoy
the benefits Of the common schools from want OF accom-
mediation in the school buildings. The meeting on Wed
nesday will be one of more than usual interest and i'm
portance, and we hope to sec a full attendance. The Ma
tional Teachers Association will meet in this city in August
next, and negotiations are now pending with the different
railroad companies, for the purpose OF obtaining such ac-
commodation and facilities from them as will secure a
general assemblage of its members. 1t is thought there
will at least be an attendance of between three and four
hundred teachers, many of whom will come from Missis-
sippi, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Missouri. Many OF
the most prominent movers in the reform are from Mis-
souri,. The States OF Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the
New England States, have always been largely represent
ed. This association is purely national in its character.
TIKI PUBLIC WonKs.-Ihe effect Of the refusal Of Con-
gress TO appropriate adequate sums for the vigorous pros
ecution Of work upon the various public buildings OF the
metropolis is already perceptible. The Treasury Depart
ment and Patent Office extensions win suffer most from the
deficit, only fifty thousand dollars having been appropri-
ated for each AN insignificant amount when VIC con-
slider the solidity and magnihcence contemplated in the
erection of these structures. The force hitherto employ
ed upon these will necessarily be much reduced, 40 more
workmen being retained than are indispensabIy necessary
for the proper preservation Of the works in their present
unfinished state. The appropriation for the completion
of the General Post Office is one hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, which will enable the work to proceed with
some activity. The Capitol, with its noble dome and
massive wings, already begins to loom up grandly from
its lofty site, a fitting place Of meeting for the legisla-
tors OF a great confedcracy- The continuation of the Inn
provements here will not be materially impeded by want
of funds, 80 that we may expect to see the noble pile
still increase in finish and grandeur until it shall have
realized the conception of its architect.
TIE WAsmIyaroN Arr AssocIArIoy.-T exhibition Of
| paintings and statuary at the AIT Gallery has been re-
opened with several alterations and additions. Among
the statuary the Fisher Girl of Barbee, which has
lately been placed in the gallery, attracts much admira-
ton. A hunting scone by Stanley is also an attractive
addition to the fine collection of paintings. William II.
Rogers, esq, will lecture before the association on Mon
day evening next.
FIsrfrowx The Alexandria Sentinel thus speaks of
"Fishtown, . soon to be the scene of busy activity
"a number of new shanties have been erected some
Of the old ones reroofed the wharf sheathed with plank;
passage ways raised above the mud to render approach
less difficult, and everything made ready by the opening
of the season.
ALARMS OF FRE regularly every evening startle our cit
liens and bring out our hremen with their apparatus
The ringing of the frc-bclls last evening was caused by
the burning Of a chimney near the corner Of Tenth and j
streets.
LscruRp.-The Rev. Mr.. Schieb has accepted the in
vitation of the directors to deliver a lecture at Philhar-
monte hall for the benefit Of the German Benevolent
School, on Eleventh street.
Dun Book Norcss will appear on Tuesday morning
next. We received to-day several highly interesting pub
licntions.
OFFICIAL
DxrARrxSr os STATE,
Washington, March Is, 1859.