Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-02-23
Our Publie schools.

Discussion of tie Rules-DHties Of tAe SupsrntsRf-
tnt--Aordl and Religious NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. farH
!Shopld Go-The Beard Limits a to " Good Nut
asr, PoI,teasr, and Mordls''-The Condition Of
the Public ScAools-COrreetion Of Statements
made an Congress, DC.
Ar adjourned meeting of the Board OF Tr IS
tees of Public Schools was held at the rooms on
9Th street last evening-Messrs. Brown, New
ton. Mel ella. woodward, Clarke, Dulin, Cham
pin, and Moore present.
Mr. Moore occupied the chair, with Mr.. G. D.
Curtis. secretary. Mr.. Mcclellan presented the
position of teacher; referred Mr.. Judson 5.
Brown. from the Committee on Accounts, re-
ported q number of bills, which were ordered
to be paid MT Brown presented the applica-
OF teacher; referred.
MI Richards, from the Committee to make
arrangements for the meeting of the National
Association of School Superintendents in this
city, in March, made a report, that the number
v ho would attend would be from 40 to GO, prob
ably. He would suggest that the Board might
| tender the use Of the hall Of Franklin school
| building to the convention.
The report of the Committee On R:ias was
| called up, and the amendments were considered
| seTintim. The first amendment, reported on I'M
4 fayorably, was read, follows:
To article of the bylaws add the following
\ paragraph: The sub-bOards shall consult with
| the Superintendent in regard to tie employment
OF teachers and with reference to all matters
L
that Office, with a view to securing harmony and
cooperation in their respective labors land they
| shall IN no way interfere with the acton OF the
4 Superintendent in the discharge of any duty
l specifically required OF him by the rules OF the
| Board or by the laws OF the COrpOTatiOn.l
| Mr.. Newton moved to amend by striking ont
4 the words in brackets. Adopted.
Mr.. Richards said that in other cities the COM
mittees were required To consult with the Super
1 intendent on this subject. and In certain cities
the Superintendent was given fun power to en-
Il AL 10 Wi sh m kat lsa
| change from any personal motives, but because
/ he believed that by adopting some such rule the
| efficiency of our present system would be iI-
/ creased.
| MIR. Newton said that it was not proposed to
| give the Superintendent any veto power, nor
| indeed a vote, but simply to provide that he
| should consult with the Trustees, 50 that har-
| mOny might prevail.
The anne Bdment was rejected
| The second amendment, to add new article,
/ 10 be numbered 20, providing that /" 1t shall be
| the duty of all standing committees, in the dis
charge OF their respective functions, to consult
| with the Superintendent of Schools, with a
/ view to availing themselves of his advice OF
suggestions relative TO any matter affecting the
| interests of the schools, !" was read.
Mr.. Richards desired to say that he repudiated
the idea that he was the agent of the Board, for
| he was appointed by the same power. He
1 thought there was a feeling against him on the
part OF some members. He had been appointed
/ en- committees, and then he was not consulted
! the first time on the Committee on Rules, and
| the second as one of the Committee on the Tab
leaux. 1t loOked,as if there a disposition to
| override him, and he desired to have it under
stood that he thought such was the case. He
thought that Mr.. NewtOns proposed amend
| ments were wise. They could reject the amend
| ments if they chose, but he would continue to
perform his duties as prescribed by law. He
desired to consult with the members il he could
| do 80.
The amendment was rejected-yeas tMr.
Newton) l. nays7.
The amendment to rule 81, that teachers shall
not require pupils to use any other text books
| than those prescribed by the Board Of Trustees,
The next amendment, the proposed new rule
35, prescribing that: "The teacher shall also
give due attention to the training OF the pupils
in good mdnners, pOliteness, and cleanliness of
person to the right culture of their moral preeep-
tons by illustrating and enforcing the duties of
uGthfulness, honesty, industry, temperance,
obedience to parents and teachers and to public
law, and OF doing unto others we would have
others do unto us; also to the proper develop
ment OF their religious faculties by duly recog-
ElLing and presenting on suitable occasions the
Supreme Father of all as an object of venera-
ton, love ard obedience; in doing which they
will he careful to avoid all partisan or sectaran
incUlCatiOns:" was read.
Mr. Richards inquired il q teacher has any
right to give any moral instruction, stating til at
there " a no rule at present which permitted it,
In almost all the schools of the country teachers
were required to teach morals and manners.
Mr.. Dulin said he would vote for the
rule, for he did not wish his children to grow up
and become worse than they would have been
had they grown up naturally. He thought the
Trustees had been remiss as to the moral and
| religious training OF the children entrusted to
them.
Mr.. Moore said that he was ia favor of requir-
ing the teachers to pay attention to the moral
training OF pupils, but was opposed to authOTiz-
ing them to give religious instruction; he pre-
feTTed giving religious instruction TO his chill
dren himself.
Mr.. Dulin remarked that he was not speaking
in the interest of any sect, and he did not think
that any sect of Christians would object to the
instruction contemplated by the rule being
given.
Mr. j. $. Brown said that under the present
rule they went far enough and il was not nee
essary to go farther than is done in the Franklin
Building, where the Bible is read and the Lords
prayer repeated.
Mr.. Richards remarked that it hal been
charged that the schools were Goddess. 1t was
not designed that the teacher should igiye any
sectarian instruction, but to teach the child that
he was accountable to God. Surely no one
would object 10 going that far.
Mr.. Woodward held that such a rule would
place teachers on a very narrow ground and if
required to give religious instruction they would
be likely to go on sectarian grounds, and some
persons would find fault.
Nr. Richards did not believe that the Catho-
lies OF this city would object to what is contem-
plated by the new rule.
Nr. Newton said that it was admitted on all
hands that il is desirable to teach morals and
| manners, and there should he rules on the sub
ject. Ii the teachers could not give the religious
instruction a. contemplated, without entering
upon sectarian grounds, they should be taught
how.
Mr.. Clarke offered as a substitute that the
t. achers should inculcste good manners, polite
ness and morals; which was adopted. and the
rule as amended was adopted.
On the proposed amendment to the SD rule
providing that, As recess Is intended "a q SAM
tary measure, teachers be prohibited from keep
ing Children in at recess unless they are given
an opportunity to exercise in the fresh air be-
fore or after recess, a quorum did not vote; and
on motion of Mr.. Woodward, the further con-
sideration of the subject was postponed.
MIR. Mcclellan offered the following:
W hereas On the 18th day of January last, in the
House OF Representatives, the Hon. William 4
Prosser. If Tennessee, delivered a speech, in which
are the following passages under the heading ~
Fearful Condition of Education in the District O:
Columbia, viz with schools that are Compare
lively worthless and wholly inadequate, there being
thonsahas Of children unable to gain admission Ia
any school room, and who would be scarcely The
better Tor u III they could, because Of the want of
proper supply of teachers, who are, moreover prJ
the small salaries at uncertain and irregular
vals: they are vet quite ready di sruiss a HID
Tor trining fault as 10 admit to pupilags IN
often requires more time and labor to get child adj
niitted than labOring man can spare. =
have said that the sc hools of this District should
ee oil the highest order instead thereof they are the
disgrace Of the nation; and the
81 the ottoman Empire can proudly and Justly saw
The o h9oi laws Of Turkey are superior 10 YOURS
= i am told by the same official the Superin-
enSent Of Public SchoolsI that some seventeen or
eehts.n OF the public schools under his charg. are
OF neatn. Hunk, II you please, Mr.. Chairman, Of
sIAS rchoiafs and a teacher confined in a room
twenty four by thirty square and ten feet hi oh
anu ass yourself II such prison should not be con