National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-01-01
puE COMMON soHooIs OF WASH
NfTON,

Perhaps the mos appropriate papers we
could possibly lay besre our resders on tho
nrst day Of the new car are the reports,
which will DO found In cher columns, Of the
gentlemen intrusted Wit. the coutrol and
management Of our pubt schools. These
docuneuts-.one the repot Of the Nschool
trustees, the other the reponof the superin-
tendent, Mr.. J. 0rmond Wnson-showywhat
we have done during the last Twelve months
toward the education and the ttauing Of the |
children who will In o few years take cur |
places and celebrate tho coming ncv\ years at
the capital. Tho two documents he well
worthy Of the careful attention and cossider-
alton Of all our people who are in the least
Interested not only In educational matters,
hut In the growth and prosperity Of our city.
They show, In the first place, highly graf
flying aud encouraging condition Of educa-
tloual matters In the cliyi condition 10 which
VIC NAY point with satisfaction and pride. In
the words Of Mr.. Wilson, "thc number Of puplls
on the school rolls has been iucreasodI the
government Snd discipline Of the schools hNs
been satisfactory, the grading has been Inn
proved and new and better course OF study
has been adopted" The growth Of the public
schools In the city may be judged by the COM
parieon Of q few figures; Twelve years ago,
In 1880, tho total amount expended for school
purposes was only go, 200; In 1871 Il was
s37S, 200; and during the year Just passed
s4e6,00O. Tho school advantages have In
creased In the same ratio. In 1870 the num-
Der Of pupils enrolled was 5,Sss In 1871,
0, 529 and in lsT2, 6,7S4. The compensation
paid to teachers In 1872 was $1,000 larger
than that the year previous.
From Mr.. Wilson's report we learn that the
number Of school buildings owned and rented
Is $50, with seats for 7,T9a pupils, the total
valuation Of which Is ais5000. The num-
Der @. teachers is 1888, and the total number
Of pupils In all the grades S,76i; the average
number In daily attendance being 1891. The
number of pupils at private schools Is 5,7o4,
which gives q total at public and private
schools Of H. 40S pupils, or only 2,p35 less than
the school population ~ given In the census
for 1872.
The report Of the trustees as well Us that
OF the superintendent, contains somo very
valuable suggestions looking to tho greater
efficiency Of the schools, which we hope 10
see carried out rs soon as possible. First Of
all there Is the normal school. The necessity
Of an institution of this kind has long been
felt, and cannot In the very nature OF things
be much longer delayed. The same Is true Of
the high school, which Is even more Of a
necessity. The grammer schools, II Is true,
ondeayor In some measure to supply its place
by the Introduction Of higher course OF
studies than is ordinarily pursuod In the
schools Of other cities, but Notwithstanding
these efforts to supply Its place, the want Ia
very sensibly felt. The most important sug.
gestion In the report, however, Is perhaps
that In regard to Congress and our public
schools. In asking that we should be placed
on the same equality with the States and
Territories; that we should receive portion
Of the public lands that have been so gener.
ously given to other portions Of tho Union,
we only ask what Is Just and fair. Mr.. Chip.
man has bill pending in Congress on the
subject, and 1t is 10 be hoped favorable action
will bo taken upon 1t before the adjournment
on the 4th Of March.