Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-15

school in Washington, and g 400 in the whole
District. In 1861 the number of children of both
sexes who attended private schools was 1919
For the current year careful observation shows
that they may be estimated at 331 per cent
more than the above figures. The present state
OF public and private schools is estimated as fol-
lows :-White males and females in Washington
IN public schools. 6,il5; in the whole District,
1872; cOlOred in Washington, 3,22O, and i'm the
whole District, 4,o95; number of children in pri-
vate schools in ashingtOn, sos; in the District
i:4i5: These figures show that there are now
1898 children attending schools in Washington,
and Is, 622 in the whole District.
In answer to an inquiry as to the principal
auses Of nOn-attendance at schools, Mr.. K.
gives the want Of suitable accommodations want
OF funds, the practice of taking children from
school as soon as they are able to go to work,
and want Of proper appreciation Of the value
Mr.. Richards says the most immediate educa-
tonal needs of the District LIST. A more
efficient school law, which will bring the whole
District under general superintendent, with
Boardof Education, which shall have the au-
thority to decide how much money should be
raised Tor sbhoOl purposes, how il should be
spent, and how the schools should be controlled.
I'd. The schools ought to receive Congressional
aid in view Of the fact that more than One-half
OF the children in the public schools belong to
families connected in some way with some
Iranch Of the Government, and that their
parents, as a general rule, pay no taxes.
Mr.. SyphaX stated that he was not aware that
such action had been taken, but he could speak
for the col0red schools that they were much in
need of aid. They had got much help from the
North that had benefited them greatly. He adj
yo' ated the appointment of a committee to 90
before Congress and lay the facts before that
body. He said there were very MANY colored
children attending the schools whose parents
paid no taxes for school purposes, and who
would aid them.
Mr.. A. b. johnson said the county was d.
yided into seven districts. His was the seventh
district. In it were five colored and three white
schools. These schools accommodated about
two-thirds of the children of a school-going age
In NEST OF these districts there were more schOl-
airs than seats or desks. What they needed in
the county was more school houses. He be-
heved what was true of his own district was true
funds, and he saw no way to keep up the schools
unless steps were taken to replenish the funds
There were many persons who had means, but
were not disposed to encourage the schools by
an increase of taxes. As general thing, the
most of the school money was raised from the
white citizens, and by far the largest number of
were colored. The whole matter shouId be
brought properly before Congress, and he had
10 doubt aid would be forthcoming.
Superintendent Richards stated that what Mr.
johnson had said in reference to the county was
equally true Of the city in regard to the children
whose parents paid no taxes.
Mr.. Dunlop said that Georgetown would be
very glad to unite with the others in this matter
although they were not SO badly of as their
neighbOrs, judging from the remarks Of gentle
men here. As to the consolidation of the schools
they had no instructions on that matter.
MIR. Jones, from the COlOred Schools, said that
he favored asking help of Congress; that they
1.-THE Colored School Trustees) had experienced
good deal Of trouble in getting the money
justly due them from Washington but thar they
had no trouble from GeOrgetown-they paid
promptly.
MIR. Libby stated that in Georgetown they had
not half schools enough nor school money to sat
kfy the demands. As to what had been said in
reference to consolidation he did not come here
TO discuss that matter; but he understood the
meeting was for the specific purpose Of confer
ring together on the subject of recuperating the
other.
Mr.. Syphax said that SO far as the consolda-
,ion OF the schools are concerned, ii should be
left TO Congress. What could be effected here
by discussion amounted to nothing. All they
should do was TO take measures to obtain an an
preparation for the support of thespublic schools
Mr.. Rowland said that they must CONVINCE
Congress that the means they might see fit 10
give to this District would be likely to be judi
eiously expended for both colored and white
schools.
MIR. Syphax said what we wanted was immedi-
ate relief; ii Congress renders any help, IL
would do so alike to all, white and black.
Mr. Libby said IL would be preferable to have
land grant, as by that means it would consti-
tute permanent fund.
Mr.. johnson favored asking Congress for
some specific object in connection with the
schooi, and not for general school purposes, as
they would be more likely to get aid. What they
wanted IN the county was school houses.
MI. oylhN thought this a wrong idea; they
should ask aid for general school purposes
Mr.. McLellen thought a land grant would he
more permanent fund. This is what they
should ask for, and at the same time base their
claim on the fact that we were expendino onr
school funds here to educate the children OF non
tax payers and non residents from the States
temporarily here, and filling up our schools with
children from all parts of the country. A com
mittee should be appointed, one from each in
terest present, to agree upon some means to APP
prOach Congress upon the subject, and he there
fore moved that such committee be appointed
at once.
Mr.. Syphax hoped that the committee would
be instructed to prepare memorial to Congress.
The motion Of Mr.. Mcclellan was carried and
the Chair appointed the following committee:
z. Richards, from the Washington schools; A.
Ii. johnson, from the county; w. l.. Dunlop,
from the Georgetown schools; William Syphax,
from the colored schools; and Mr.. A. T.. Newton.
On motion, the Chairman was added to the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Mcclellan moved an adjournment, subject
TO call Of the committee; which was carried.
The committee then agreed to meet on Mon
day night, to draft q memorial to present to
Congress at future day. Adjourned.
The CoLoRED SCHOOL INvEsTIGArION-The
Senate Committee on the District Of Columbia
had before them yesterday the Trustees of the
Public Schools In this city, In pursuance Of the
investigation ordered under the resolution of
Senator Wilson to look into the management of
the colored schools. Mr.. Syphax descanted at
some length upon the conduct OF his fellow-trus-
tees, complaining to the committee that proper
consideration was not accorded him; that he