The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-01


report to Congress, and we hope that it will
receive the favorable attention of that body.
The Educational Progress of Our City.
TnE dedication, last night, of the first of
series of new school-houses in the course of
erection in our city, marks the commence
ment of reformation in our school system
which presages great things for the future.
The Hollingsworth School, of the Eighth Ward,
is the first of a long line of noble structures
which will soon grace Philadelphia, and afford
us just cause for pride. When we see the
public money expended in such cause and
in such a manner as has been done in the pre-
sent case, we have no word of regret at the
taxes, but much rather congratulate our citi-
zens on the proper appropriation of their
money. 1t is curious subject to look
back over the past of the schools
of Philadelphia and compare them with
the present. This task was so pleasantly
and Interestingly done by Edward Shippen,
Esq, in his address last night, that the
best we can do is to follow the thread
of his narrative. 1t seems, from what he tells
us, that the establishment of the first school
was COntemporaneous with the laying of the
foundation of our city. So early as 1858 the
Provincial Council directed Enoch Flower to
undertake the task, and asked him for the
schedule of prices, which he gave as four shil-
lings for three months tuition in reading;
six shillings for reading and writing; eight
shillings for reading, writing, and casting ac-
| counts; and for one gears board and tuition,
including washing, f10. Fifty dollars for one
years board and tuition Those indeed were
halcyon days, and we might regret the pre-
sent, were it not that we have dark suspicion
as to the quality of the diet and learning fur
| nished by Mr. Flower. The common school sys-
| tenn, as charity school for the education of
such only as could not afford to educate their
children at their own expense, was first COM
menced in our State, we think, in 1905.
| Until 1878 it was extremely limited in its
| sphere Of operations, and, in fact, was a
failure in every respect. At that time the
| Legislature attempted reform, and improved
the theory of the system; but, by still leaving
the objectiOnable clause in regard to poverty
in, they prevented that general adoption OF
the plan which its merits and the needs of our
management of the system fell into different
hands. The Board of Control then received
an impetus by the addition of such men as
Thomas G.. HOllingsworth, Morton McMiohael,
George n. Justice, and Morris Dunlap. Through
their energy and wisdom the stupid restriction
to the poor was stricken out, and the present
system commenced its operations. But until
to-day it has been cramped and retarded in its
sphere by the condition of its buildings. AS
Mr.. Shippen and Professor Still6 both forcibly
remarked the old schoOl-houses were
'pest houses" of disease. Damp, badly
ventilated, dark and in every respect ill-Con-
ditioned, they have ruined the health of too
many teachers and pupils for us to dare to
contemplate. At last, however, a million Of
dollars has been appropriated for the erection
of new houses in all the wards, and the splen-
did building on Locust street is the first fruit
of that well-advised appropriation.
Under the new system of ventilation
handsome rooms, and well-appointed surround.
ings, we cannot but confidently anticipate 8
new impetus in the studies of the children
as every good citizen should take a deer
interest in the progress Of all educational i'm
provements, recognizing in the universal diff
fusion of learning the great bulwark of oul
liberties, and the best promoter of the growth
and increased riches Of our nation. That State
is great and happy exactly in the proportion
of the intelligence of the people, and as the