Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-11-10
twice e large every sent vepla nAve been

seen, az d much credit IS due 10 M McCsthron.
the prip cipal and The tssehers associated with
so far brought to bear upon the nav oresnira-
tion-a much more difiicult task than is rsn.
fIally supposed. II any person n all familiar
WIN the conditiou OF theee ten schools, a. fhey
were formerly kept in th.sir isolated rooms, en-
tertain doubts Of the great advantage OF Aeir
pres, Mt arrHngenient under one roof, they need
only vleit tnis building TO Be convinced of tnefr
ed 10 the IeoaiIon and tor % CONE
its numerical and beautiful proportions will
attract-ths notice and command the admiration
OF the thousands who annually visit this me-
II prooablv would not be expediento or in good
taste to repeat its exact exterior form, or fnte-
no, ,oI aolustTnent in another ward, for the condi-
improved. "
the want Of any suitable play.room in in
clement weather, and the limited APARTMENTS
Tor the Janior, already felt as serious wills.
but fortunately there is abundance Of sroun3
in the rear OF the building, upon which the
needed additional room can be provided
In erecting another, the 6assment stoyv
should be made to extend under tha entirs
building, AID some, at least, Of the rooms
should be of q larger size. The desire n sIto
gether separate the two sexes led to the con
stTuction OF partitions, which, to some extent
mar the beauty Of the interior, ana interfere
with the convenience of the cloak rooms, and
OF the persons supervising the schools. II is
believed by the committee that sufficient ex-
clusiveness might be obtained through the dis
cipline OF the schools, II some of the partition
walls were dispensed with. The occupancy OF
this building has enabled the sub. board OF the
district to relinquish number Of the pre.em-
nenly wretched rooms in which schools mad
heretofore been kept, and ii is sincerely TO be
hoped that dire necessity may never require O
resort TO them again. In the
FOURTH DISTRICT,
out little change has been made. The frame
building On 18th street west, solth Of Maryland
avenue, has been completed, and q primary
and secondary school, with their full compile
ment OF scholars, and many waiting admission,
are now in possession OF It,
The large central lot of ground, located 81 the
southeast corner of ID street south and 9th
street west, now owned by the Corporation,
and, by common consent set apart for the ex-
elusive use fthe public schools OF the Seventh
Ward is good guaranty Of the future pros
perity Of this district.
The number OF grammar schools now in this
city is {; intermediate, s; secondary, %; prima-
ry, 20-total, 63.
The number of pupils that can be taught in
these schools is 3,7SO
The number of new schools organized during
last year was six.
The number of pupils that can be taught in
them is 800
There are two secondary and three primary
schools now authorized by law, but not or
ganiZed for want OF rooms.
The amount now paid per annum for rent OF
school rooms in this city is as follows:
First District Sl,il0 Second do, Sl,6n0;
Third do, $3.50; Fourth do, S5S0-total, &4,26Q.
The proper ventilation Of school-rooms can
not receive too much attention from school
officers and teachers.
The best materials for a good school may be
impaired or spoiled by bad ventilation. The
committee, therefore, feel at liberty to re-
port their recommendation of last year,
that, in constructing all new rooms, whether
of permanent or temporary character, care
should be taken that the ceilings are sufficient
ly high, at least twelve feet, and that the win
doWs are hung with weights, SO as 70 be easily
lowered from the top. In one OF the school,
rooms visited, an improved mode OF heating
and yentilating was observed. A very neat
furnace OF moderate size was located in one
corner Of the room, which furnished ample
heat for the coldest weather, although the room
was Of un sualIy large dimensions. A con-
slant current of fresh air from without passed
through an aperture In the floor, directly IN
derneath the furnace, around its cylinder, and
thus becoming heated was diffused Throughout
the room
The superiority of this mode OF heating over
the ordinary mode, from common stove, is
apparent to every one, and IL should be adopted
whenever 1t is practicable
The committee was pleased to notice that
considerable improvement had been made in
school furniture. In accordance with their
recommendation in their last report, the very
uncomfort able and inconvenient primary arm
chair had disappeared il several schools, and
the admirable Boston primary desk and chair
had taken its place.
They also noticed the introd uction OF new
style Of furniture, patented by w. +. Whlin-
ger, in some of the school-rooms, which 90.
peared to have some advantages over the pre-
vailing style, and to be more economical in
construction. 1t seems to have given much
satisfaction in the schools where i. was USED,
and it is evidently worthy attention on the part
of the board, as the cost Of furniture is quite q
large item In our annual expenditures, last
year amounting to about five thousand dollars
1t will be well to have some committee speciouv
charged with the duty Of examining and pur-
chasing all that may be required.
The subject of blackboards also received
their attention. They tound great variety ia
quality and quantity in the different rooms they
visited, and they are unable to make any spe-
cific recommendations in relation to this sub.
Ject other than that care should be taken that
every school room is supplied with some sort.
The Eureka Liquid Stating" was used TO some
extent last year in repairing old blackboards
and in making new ones, on various substan-
ces, such as OIL cloth, zinc, the ordinary boards
and the plaster wall. 1t has been found not
expensive, and to furnish good surface. The
experiments now making in the different dis
trlcts Will be likely to lead to 0me definite
conclusions as TO the best and cheapest mode
providing this indispensable requisite Of every
school-room.
Your committee cannot conclude their re-
port without expressing their great gratifica-
ton at the decided progress they found TO have
been made during the last year In the depart
ment Of the public school system of this city,
which 1t was their duty to inspect. Respect
fully submitted. ]. 0. WILSON.
The report was accepted
Mr.. Hitz, from the Third District, wished 70
know If children were allowed to eat their
lunches in their study rooms, and thereby
dirty and grease the floors and furniture; also,
wished to know IL 1t was proper that the teacher
should shut up the school-rooIa at noon, while
away at dinner.
Mr.. Wight thought the teacher should either
stay there or appoint monitor during an
absence.
MI Hitz moved that the committee on rules
and regulations be instructed to req teachers
to remain at the school room at oon. Adopted
MIR Wilson presented bill for printing,
from Messrs. Murtagh & Co.; which was
ordered to be paid.
Mr.. Tustin moved that the committee on
rules and regulations be instructed TO ascertain
if The old custom is still observed of raiding q
portion OF Scripture on opening the schools.
The Board then adjourned.
LEVY COURT-The Levy Court Of Washing
ton county met Monday morning in the Alder
mems chamber, City Hall. Among other busi-
ness a communication was received from VIM.
Thompson, Justice OF the peace, asking that
an ordina nee be passed to prevent rioting and
dIsorderly conduct in the county, there being
no law at present to meet ofenses Of this des-
cription when committed in the county. Re-
ferred to MIR. Utermehle, the attorney Of the
court. with lnstructiOQs to preDarA AN ordi-