Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-29
OUR CITY SCHOOLS.
A Day Among Them The
~ Annual Examinations.

Yesterday was the day appointed for
the usual annual oral exami sAtion Of the
Alabama street school On our arrival
we found everything in order and The
exercises progressing Prof Tatum was
giving his usual drill in vocal music
when we arrived, thus aifording US an op,
portunity to see the results Of six months
work In that branch OF our city school
system. We were more than pleased.
The results Of his teaching are not, as is
too often the case, rate knowledge Of q
few set songs. The singing exercise
was reading exercise, for every pupils
attention was closely and constantly
fixed on the book or the black board ex-
ercise. Examples introduced we're quite
difficult, yet so thorough had been the
elementary drill that the greatest exact
ness of time and tone were observed
throughout the whole class. Several
members of the Board Of School Wis
tiers were present, beside very goodly
attendance of the patrons Of the school.
OF the Board, we noticed Mr.. Johnson,
Of the Third ward Mr.. Wiggin, Of the
Fifth; Mr.. Cook, Of the Seventh !;
Mr.. Slaughter, of the Eighth, and Mr..
Leath, Of the Ninth. We we're much
gratifed by the generally neat and tidy
appearance Of everything about the
school. The little ones seemed proud Of
what they. had learned. They were eager
to bring up their states and exhibit their
writing, and receive from the visitors
and teachers the praise they deserved.
At one time they would read, then write
on their states, spell, etc. Frequently
the exercises would be changed by q
faniliar song, which would be sung with
real, child-like pride. Attwelve o'clock
the school was given its usual recess,
when the teachers spread collation. for
the visitors, and all enjoyed the good
things provided. Cheerlulness and q
general good feeling seemed to prevail
to an unusual degree. The relations
betwe nteacher and pupil and teachers
and the members of the Board showed
mutual confidence in each other.
After the recess the exercises we're re-
sumed. AT the tap of the bell, the little
happy children formed in line at the door,
aud, on tip-toe, moved into their several
rooms without confusion or unnecessary
noise. The examination was not the
answering Of set questions, but every one
of the visitors was at liberty to conduct
the examination on the subjects which
had been taught AtS
If our citizens could witness such ex-
hibitions of our public school work, we
think we would not have any more let
tiers from taxpayers, advising, for the
be closed. We could but ask yesterday
what amount of money saved by closing
the schools one year would compensate
for the want of what we beheld. We
would like to see the comparative
cost of supporting our police, FIRE depart
ment, hospitals and schools. Then we
would also like to see an estimate of
profit arising from each, if such an esti-
mate could be made. To-day the Linden
street school is to be examined, tomorrow
morning the schools on Adams street,
and in the evening the Female High
School, on Court street, taught by Miss
Jennie Higbee, which will be the last
examined. We trust our citizens will be
sufficiently interested to visit and give
our schools their support by spending an
hour or so learning their condition.