Daily national Republican., 1863-11-18
LOCAL NEWS.

BOARD OF TRUsrKBs OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Board Of Trustees held an adjourned meeting
last evening HE honor, the Mayor, was In the
chair.
items for nrst school district
Mr.. wilson read the annual report Of the Trus.
ties, which gives q history Of the public school
system OF wsshinston city. Notwithstanding the
pre.enoe Of gigantic rebellion the schools have
hourished in an unparalleled degree. Taxes have
been levoi upon citissas for the support Of those
public schools and have been ehesrfully paid.
The report also recommsnda and urges the cree
tion Of suitable sehool-houses, which would be
ornaments OF the city. The trustees also speak
favorably OF the teachers, and think that their
efforts have done much to enhance the prosperity
Of our city, and recommend an increase OF the
teachers compensation in view Of the high prices
required for the necessaries OF life Mention was
inside of the chapg.s Of teachers, and pathetic
ailusion to the death Of Miss Emily Ramsey, a
faithful and successful teacher ofhc Third District
Notice was alto taken Of the school-houses OF
the various districts; Of the abandonment Of some
account OF their seizure BY military au'horiesi
OF the ute for others OF church Easements and en-.
gine-house, unit for girls and ladies.
.Durirg the past year the Board has given much
attention to the codifying Of the rules and laws
governing the different schools. manual was
published containing them, as also . list Of the
names OF all the teachers, and list OF trustees,
with the time they have served and number Of
meetings they have attended.
DR.. Walsh is the oldest trustee, havius served
nine yenrs and sttended ist meetings. Mr.. Dono-
hue has served eight years and attended I07 meet
ipgs. There have been from The beginning about
eighty-four trustees.
Although the High school 10 the Acknowledged
and hitting compliment Of complete public school
sysem, yet the trustees do not suggest the eatab-
lishmen, Of one in our midst. More grammar
schools are needed, and II would not be wise TO
take the foundation stones and from them build
the turret.
The d stribution Of medals and premiums At the
Smithsonian institute were mentioned, as well ~
the rules which will hereafter govern the dstribu-
tion thereof. The addresses which were delivered
on the occasion OF the distribution by Rev. byron
Sunderland, ID, Of the Fourth Presbyterian
church; by Chief Justice q. X Cartier, OF the su-
prcmc Court, and by Rev. Joho N. McJilton, d D. q,
Treasurer Of The public schools Of Baltimore, we
alluded to with many thanks to the speakers.
It was gratifying to know that the pupils who
receive the scholarships Of Columbia College reject
great edit and honor on the public schools. The
one who received the last ranked highest In his
class at the College du.ipg the last year, and was
the recipient Of the first honors.
The establishment OF a good Teachers Institute
was recommended by the trustees, in which all the
teachers employed in the public schools would
which z. Richards, E.q., has the superintendence.
The following was the ri'n adopted for the
Teachers Institute:
That there be an opening lecture by the Con-
ductor, at the organization OF the Institute.
,. That the Conductor of the Institute be autho-
Ised to employ assistants the preceptors OF the
Male Grammar Schools, whenever assistance may
g. That ali the teachers names be enrolled at the
opening meeting and record Of their punetuality,
Se ss TO be ea with other
4 That each session Of the Institute be opened
with singing, under the direction Of the music
by the conductor, followed by = discussion upon
some one OF the following topics, or such others
as s.nSui si,Sumstsnce Snn may require. Viz;
punishment--its necessities and modes.
NEGATIVES to study and improvement
Moral instruction, and responsibility Of teachers.
Modes OF conducting recitations and class exer-
Methods Of securing attention.
Habits Of order, ,punciuality, cleanliness, Ac.
a%. MGs%aaS .na study iS. "
odes ,ns ssa Sso S1ds
Mode Of teaching the knowledge and use Of the
the method: Of Teaching the various SraneSs. upon
o. That at each session, alter the lecture and
branches Of study, taking them up in order, and md
each branch In detail, In which exercise each
teachers views will be drawn out, as far as pos.
siblc, upon the best manner OF teaching.
That there shall be portion Of each session
devoted to writing answers to questions and TO
answering such questions and inquiries as may
have been proposed In writing
That, at each session, there shall be some class
exercise BY the pupils and teacher q some school
gIade. During and after such exercise, the mode
of conducting 1t may be considered and kindly
8 That occasional public lectures be given by
experienced educational men; but that all the In
trustees, members Of % the City ccunois, S @ snd sueS
persons as may be invited by the Mayor, trustees
and conductor Of the Institute.
/ Opening lecture by the Conductor. Subject
The necessity and means for the professional
. Enrolment OF teachers names.
session. % soots to Ss u.eS ,9r sh hs a.
ellis and blank books for each teacher.
Order Of FIereisss for First Srssioa.
/. Calling Of the Roll.
9. singing.conductcd BY Mr.. Daniels.
Government "-to be followed BY discussioSs.
ques ions, and remarks.
Reading by the whole Institute, or by classes;
w.th criticisms and question. As to the meaning
Of the author: Book asedHFiith Reader, r. 4 W.
90. o: writing ansEers to written or printed ques.
g. Collecting and answering OF written questions
or queries from Teachers
l. Announcement OF the Order Of Exercises for
the next season.
8. Close by Singing
The night schools though neyervery successful,
promise great good
Mr.. Miller stated that the plan of Il. Richards,
Esq, concerning the government OF the proposed
Teach"rs L stltute, was received and adopted by
meeting Of the special committee appointed to
inquire into the expediency ef establishing a
Teachers Institute.
On motion Of MIR. Miller, the Secretary, Treas
urer, and Messrs Murtagh, Rhees, Ferguson and
Wilson were appointed a committee to frame the
next annual report.
The Ireasurers report was read and referred TO
the Committee on Accounts and Expenditures.
The Board then adjourned.
The LIBRARY OF CoNGREss.-During the
summer and fall some very valuable improv vements
have been made In the Library oil Congress- DR..
John G. Stephenson, Librarian, has had q tessel-
lated marble floor substituted Ior the wretched
carpet OF ten yssrs' wear, which disHgured that
magnificent hall. DR.. Stephensons own office and
the other rooms have also been appropriately i'm.
proved.
Among them 10 a set OF Gould's Humming Birds
81 America, in hve volumes, folio, and illustrated
IN the style Of Audubons great work. 1t 10 pub
lished In London for the edit'r It gives four hun.
dred varieties Of hummtng birds, which 10 double
the number treated Of In all other works. Mr..
Gould spent years In North and South America,
and in the W. !, Islands, wherever this kind of