Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-18
Our Public schools.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Tuesday evening, Mr.. j. q. Wilson, the Su-
perintendent of Public Schools OF Washington
city, submitted his annual report to the Board
of Trustees. He gives the school population of
the city, (Childrtn between the ages OF six AMI
seventeen years. II ,403; total vslue OF school
property, S43S, TO0; number of public schools,
123; male teachers, 9; female teachers, 122; pu-
piis enrolled, 80. The total receipts for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1871, were Se45 ,gS5sa
expenditures, S313, 1885; the excess of the ex-
penditures having been drawn from the general
fund of the city, or paid with certificates of in
debtedness. Total cost per pupil. S23.sS
He dcvotes considerable space to description
of the SchOO-roOmS, calling attention to a num-
Der of them, which he says are badly ventilated
and unfit tor use. He states that of the 1870 reg
ular teachers, IS were educated in our public
schools.
"FUND TO ENDOw THR PUBLIC SCHOOLS"
Under this head Superintendent Wilson says:
''that sixty years ago, Congress conferred upon
the corporation OF Washington power and
thOrity to authorize with the approval of the
President of the United States, the drawing OF
lotteries for effecting mpOrtant Improvements in
the city, and under this authority the City
Councils, from time to time, pas ed resolutions,
which were duly approved by Presidents VI adj
son, Monroe, and Adams, in turn, and which
authorized the corporation TO raise by lottery
specified sums for the purpose of supporting and
endOwing the Public Schools. The amount
realized was SEQ coo. During the administration
Of Mayor Wallach, it was inc,eased by the in
vIstment OF the interest accrued until it reached
the sum OF S64,3S5. Since that time the fund
has been overlooked or neglected, until. on the
3Oth September last, the amount of interest
accrued and payable at the District treasury
was Sl3T9i 30. The fund and accrued interest
now make total OF SIS, 1920 and he recon-
mends that II be increased, by promptly invest
ing the interest row accrued, and that which
shall accrue hereafter. until the entire endOw-
me ut shall amount TO the sum OF 500, 900; the
nteT6 st thereafter 10 be subject TO the control OF
the Board of Education, and to be applied as il
may deem best for the interests OF the Public
Schools. In less than five years the fund will
amount TO 800 GOO, if the interest is invested as
recommended.
A NORMAL AND HIGH SCHOOL REC oMMENDED.
He recommends that normal training
school be established without unnecessary DELAY;
also, that me asures be taken TO establish "a
high school at an early day. An effort should
be made TO induce Congress to donate the west
half of that portion OF Judiciary Square included
between and G. streets as the most central and
suitable sites for this purpose 1t is not only the
most eligible for High school, but no better
location can be found Tor the offices o. the Board
of Education, and an ed.tice could be designed
as to accommodate both"
help NEEDED.
He further recommends "that Congress be
asked to donate, for the of the Public schools
OF Washington, the property known as the
gine-hOuse and TO authorize the sale OF the
property on the corner of 18th and G streets
northwest, and the investment of the pro-
ceeds in other property more suitable for
school purposes" Also, that 1.-The Board
unite with the Governor OF the District
and our Delegate in Congress, at its next session.
million acres of public lands, for the benefit o.
the public schools of the District of Columbia
One-half of this donation would be required to
purchase sites and erect suitable buildings for
the accommodation OF all the schools needed tor
the District. The other half shOhld be convert
ed into a secure Investment, and the interest on
the same he applied annually to their support
Without this aid the advancement of the schools
must be slow IN the future for want of means"
In concluding he SAYS The review of the
past year Is full OF encouragement.
A III u
has been far greater than during any wear that
has preceded it. From it three school edifces
OF which the city may well he proud, will take
their date; the attendance in the schools has
been largely increased; and our citizens have
shown their growing appreciation o. and conf
dence in the schools by more liberal apprOpria-
tons for their support. Washington should DO
longer be censured for Indifference to its educa-
tiOnal interests. Its school tax is heavier than
that reported from any other city. We have
reached point where the will exceeds the
ability. Our peculiar situation, resulting from
the location of the seat of the national govern
ment here, gives us a valid claim for aid in tie
work of educating thousands thrown upon the
city by the issues of war, and other thousands
whose parents are here to give Their services to
that government, but who contribute nothing
towaI d the support of schools for their children
But whether this assistance come early OF late
or not at all, we must not falter. Our commits
siOns impose upon us no less duty than that O.
fostering the virtue and intelligence of the
rising generation OF our city, and Providence
will assuredly open way along which We may
move forward