Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-09-17

l congratulate the Board on the healthy
state Of its finances and m the spirit OF
economy, which has found its reward in
, an eXchequer able TO meet all proper de-
mands and a credit superior to that OF
!, any public body in the State; aye, supe-
riOr even to the credit of the State Itself.
A few figures will show the healthy con-
dition of the treasury.
Our warrants are always at par, be-
cause the Board pays in cash all its ex-
psnditUres. In IS67-S there were kept up
in Memphis thirty-three schools at an eX-
pense of $52,S67 6S, an average for each
school of $l602. During the last year
there were ifty-one schools, at an eX-
pense of S54,Oz7. An average for each
school of S1059, a saving of over thirty
three per cent. The Indebtedness of the
Board st the close of ~lS67-S-the last re-
port pnblished-was S5S, 702 "a. The
present indebtedness is S3O,569 Is;
an actual reduction of S2S, 1873 SO, to pay
this debt of SS0,569 %, we have cash on
hand, S3I1 SO; State warrants, S976l 80;
taxes due by city on former assessments,
I6,625 p; city bonds belonging to build
ing fund, $4,000; city ledger per balance,
$500; total, SS7,60S ID. Showing a balance
in Our favorOf $57, 0SS IS.
In addition to this, the Board owns
buildings and lots and school furniture
costing, Sl25,lS Is, of which latter
amount there has been paid during last
year, SS7, 1913 so.
1t is reasonable to calculate that the
remnant of the debt which we inherited
from our predecessors will be wiped
away by the first day of the year. 1871,
and we shall thereby save the heavy
amoun of interest we have been COM
PEELED to pay during the past year.
10 see this Board entirely clear
OF debt will be a singular spec
tacle in the light of the example of
| fhn nj har nm h1fa Conversations u-nnnI ne
and I think will be a conclusive proof of
the honesty q good sense of its mem
bers. By practicing in the coming year
the economy and Judgment which have
distinguished you in the past, you will
accomplish this desirable object. l take
pleasure in saying thus publicly that the
present financial prosperity Of the Board
is Tue in a great measure to the energy,
integrity and excellent management of
the two gentlemen who for the past
eighteen months have held the position
Of Chairman of the Finance Committee
Messrs. John Johnson and w. S. Bruce
who have ungrudgingly given their time
and labor to the Board without pay and
without reward.
AS a consequence of the advance the
public schools have made in number and
efficiency, 1 Am glad to be able to say that
the system is steadily growing in favor
with our citizens. To make the system a
perfect success, our schools must be filled
with the children of all classes in the COM
munity, because thereby all classes be-
come interested in their efficiency, and
sustain them with their good will
The friends of public schools take the
position that it is the duty of the State TO
afford the means of education to all her
citizens because experience has proved
that educated men make the best citizens
in peace and the best soldiers in war: that
yvbera aluaatiOp il diffuSad sraparo1Iv IN q
community, there wealth will be more
generally difiused, and all will strive
for the comforts, as well as the necessaries
Of life.
Again, experience demonstrates land
this Board has published the fgures) tina
those communities which pay themost for
their schools pay the least tor their police
force, and for the punishment of crime.
Thus educatiOni is found TO be q preventive
Of crime.
These being facts susceptible of demon
stration. and familiar to all political econ
omists, it follows that the education of the
citizen becomes the duty Of the State, as a
means Of carrying out the very object of
the government, Uo-wit: The prevention
Of crime; the security OF our rights OF pro-
perty and of cOnscisnce; and as a mere
police regulation is the most efficient and
cheapest and far-reaching of all other
means possessed by the govern
ment. II, in addition to these
considerations (which ars merely
materially we reflect upon the great good
the community bestOws upon those it ed |
ucates, tbs fact that by its impartiality it |
places the orphan boy of the outcast on a
level with the favored child of wealth,
and starts all evenly in the race, where
worth and merit and true manhood will
decide the result, we shall more than
ever be thankful that we live in an eye
and country where such privileges are
possible, and shall be convinced tia the
time, the effort and the taxes that we give
to these schools are the best investments
we can ~maKe-that, like charity. they
bless those who give as well as those who
receive. recommend to your attention
the SUBJECT of building school houses suit
able1n extent and architecture to accom-
mOdate your schools with. inviting
buildings. The number of scholars
would be greatly increased, and there
would be 3 double advantage, to-wit:
The usefulness of the schools would be
increased, and the interest and pride of
our people in them would be largely ex-
i would recommend that the
Board make an effort to purchase from
the county the lot on Adams street, and
tina substantial and handsome buildings
be erected thereon at once; n tina as
rapidly as the means of the Board will
permit, other suitable lots be purchased
on4 AbBoA hOuHta DC bE6GL6Q LnHrGOn.
Some OF the lots formerly bought and
owned by the Board are totally unfit
for.school purposes. I would recommend
that they be sold.
Trusting that in the coming year your
efforts may be crowned with the success
which has encouraged us in the past, i
submit this report.
THoS. r. SMITH, Pres't, etc.
The superintendent presented and read
lie a.A~FhNU ramAHf n.a.--l -
ceived and filed and published.
sUPERINTENDENT's REPORT.
OFFICE BOARD OF EDUCATION, !
MEMPHIS, September IL, 1870.
Gentlemen of the Board:
Inclusive Of today, near twenty-one
hundred tickets have been issued for the
admission of pupils into the public
schools.
The school-rooms on Court. Market
street and at the Peabody are already too
full Though we are but at the beginning
of the second week of the session.. and
applicants for admission into these schools
are being turned off; in fact, some pupils
already entered in the Court schools have
been transferred TO others.
The four rooms on Market have 2S2
pupils, distributed as follows: Room No.
/ has 90 pupils; room No. 2 has IS pupils;
room No. 3 hiss 81 pupils; room No. 4 has
Ito pupils. These pupils all properly be-
long TO the First ward. none, except a
few in No. l, living north or east of the
bayou. Some Of the larger pupils might
be transferred TO the Alabama schools,
but the A, b, @ pupils cannot be, as the ,
room of that grade in Alabama is too full
TO receive them. Besides, parents would
not consent for such small children to
cross the bayou TO attend the Alabama
Two additional school-rooms are ,
needed in the First ward, and many T,
iesks are wanted for the Market street :
Jchool-roOms. :
The Peabody has $50 pupils, distributed :
Is follows: Room No. l has hfty-two
room No. 2 has ffty-three pupils; I,
Dom No. 3 has seventy i've pupils. In :
he latter room three pupils have 10 oe- :
'upy the same desk. If the vacant rooms :
II this building were fitted upifor a school /
t would furnish ample accommodation =
or the pupils attending there. Such ad- =
iltionnl room is earnestly recommended I
or the Peabody. +
Inc washington street schools (colored)
ire TOO crowded, and TO relieve them /
AVE mad a temporary school opened &C Z
he late Advent church in Chelsea. The
Board will please decide whether colored
schools shall be permanently located at n
his point. think they are now needed. 4
nd viii be more 50 when the cotton pick. q