The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-25

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LOCAL AFFAIRS.
FRANKLIN SCHOOL.
A Visit to its Experimentation
Classification and Ar
rangement.
THE BUlLDINC---ITS DEFECTS.

lHE HGILUlNG--.llO DEF DVA %
Franklin school is the last aud finest OF on
Public Schools, the pride and glory of our city.
1t was built the past season at cost of about
x11 900. and dedicated to the use of the Board
on September 23i. 1t is the most convenient
IL planned of all our public school buildings,
and presents more elegant appearance as to
its dimensions and exterior, while it has the
only play ground worthy the name, of all the
schools.
The main building is about sixty feet square,
with wing or extension: TO the rear. I'm en-
entering the front door, the visitor finds hall
extending through the building, dividing the
lower floor into two large rooms, about Is by
30 feet in size The one on the right. or North
SIDE is the
FIRST UPPER PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.,
in charge of Miss Briefly, who is one of the
most valued teachers Of the Division. Miss
Briefly has about forty live scholars enrolled in
her department, with an average attendance OF
thirty-sevcn-qui:e enough to occupy one
teachers time fully.
TIE SECOND UPPER PRIMARY.
This Department is in the room opposite. on
the south side of the building. Miss Stanley,
whose faithtulness and competence AS teacher
has been tested for two years, has charge of
this Department, with an excellent assistant,
Miss Friend. In this room about sixty-eight
scholars attend on all average, lightweight be-
ing the whole number enrolled. 1t is sight
worth the attention and time of visitor, to
see SO many bright faced. Intelligent boys and
girls together. preparing for the time when
they shall be entrusted with the responsible
duties Of manhood and womaEhood.
The visitor, on leavin;: Miss Shaulevs ROOM
proceeds I'D stairs--a fight of WHICH start from
each side of the front doOr-and st the head of
the lett hand Hight. finds the door OF
THE GRAMMAR moot.
lie highest Department of the school, presided
over by Prof J. w. +. Foster. There is an
average attendance of tifty-two scholars in this
Department, more than can receive the thor
ou.h instruction requisite to the advanced
branches taught in tniS Department. Yet
Prof Foster insists on q thorough understand
ing Of them ali-and succeeds, too, US his class
&c show at every examination. He is one Of
the most competent and experienced instruc-
tors in the S.ate-and has raised the average
grade of scholarship in his Department above
what il had attained under any former Princi-
pal. Several of the branches in this Depart
nent are actually High School studies. We
hope it will not be long before High School
class or Department will he organized in tine
city. The third story Of the Franklin School
house wunld accommodate it amply for the
present.
TIE INTERMEDIATES DEPARTMENT.
Composed of scholars scarcely so advanced
in the Grammar school, is in The room adjoin-
ing that Department, under charge of Mrs.
Haynes, a very competent, and highly valued
teacher. The number enrolled. and the aver
age attendance is about the SAME rs in Prof.
Fosters room, and here the same difficulty
occurs viz, too many scholars i'll care OF one
teacher. If an assistant teacher was employ
ed. in common between the two Departments,
to hear some of the classes in the recitation
room, the effective power of both would he
doubled. At present there are so many classes
to hear, and 50 short time to devote to each,
the pupils cannot advance so fast or SO well as
undcr such plan.
There is sliding partition between the two
ROOMS, so that When occasion demands, they
can be thrown into one.
Tie third story Is all in one rOOn, capable
of Rating 100 scholars, and has small recita'
ton rooms attached. 1t is not now
used
The wood work of the whole interior il
tainted an oak color. There are closets on
each floor to hang hats and coats in. and the
arrangements for ventilation, &c are oil com
mendable.
The building, az we said, was we'll planned,
but wre.chedly built The walls seem to be
solid and sound, but the interior is poorly bull,
and finished. The lumber must have been o
poor quality and unseasoned, as it has shrunL
at all parts The plastering t'llS of, and lht
blackboards can hardly be used. The chimney'
smoke badly also. The building will need re
pairs to such an extent before long that
would have been cheaper to have hired tn
work done by the day in the first place.
franklin School does not compose division
alone. 1t is attached to the Washington di
vision. the higher departments of which wer
transferred into it. The Washington School
yet occupied by the Lower Primary Depart
ment under Miss Cakes. and the Alphabetica
Department under Miss Kelley, each with a
assistant. But we must reserve further obsei
vations on this school for another article.
TRIAL OF SHAKopRE AND MEDICINE Boz
TJE-(,pneral Sihlav has issued special Ordt