The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-06-04
Public Free school Examination.

Public Free School Examination.
Wednesday and Thursday of last week were
appropriated by the Board of School Trustees
to the examination of the pupils Of the Public
Free Schools Of Staunton. A large number OF
our citizens manifested their interests in the
exercises by their presesfde on the occasion, and
their high appreciation OF the system as devei-
oped and tested in the administration of Prof.
Ladd. All grades were examined by the Board.
The lower grade, or Primary, OH Frederick
street Was visited officially by Capt p. B.
Hoge, of the Board, and aided by Rev. DR..
Manley, thoroughly examined them. This
school is composed Of 81 or 80 little ones OF an
average of 81 years, under the teaching of Misses
Josie Brown and Annie Mills. They found
every thing in neat order,. and the discipline
and training thorough and complete. DR..
Manly briefly remarked on the pleasant SIGHT
he had witnessed, the advancement of the little
children, and the public schools, as one of the
most conspicuous OF the many attractions of
the city. In this school the new system OF
learning to read is taught also spelling. A
great benefit is accomplished by this system in
one half the time given to the old method, and
the purpose is more uniform and impressive
The first step IS observed in learning and com
bining English Words. The Alphabet is not
introduced until the child knows at sight, all
or most all the common words. It was beau
tiful scene to have arrayed in order and under
the most perfect discipline so many little chill
dren, and hear-their ready responses to the pro-
cess of examination.
The Graded Schools on Augusta street were
thoroughly examined by Messrs. w. J. Nelson
and NJ. p. Funkhouser, Of the Board, who had
been assigned by Supt. Ladd for that purpose.
The committee found in the common English,
fair progress, and were much pleased with the
familiarity shown with their studies, and also
in singing. In this branch Of the exercises the
pupils could talk the notes as rapidly as re1a:-
red.
In the meantime, other schools were being
examined in other rooms. The Second Prima-
ry Glass. Miss Mary q. Dillon, teacher, is one
OF the most gratifying OF the schools. The chill
dren, nearly ali OF the same age, beautiful and
refined, have made rapid progress in reading,
singing, multiplication table, &c. A number
of the fathers and mothers of the pupils were
present, and this gave encouragement and pleas
ure to the children. An interest manifested by
the parents is appreciated also by the teachers,
and should be more generally observed
Miss Della Beers teaches the Third Interme-
date, and has been eminently successful during
the year1in her school. A large nu1pber of cit
liens examined this school. The little boys
and girls We're neatly and appropriately dress
ed and bedecked with flowers and ribbons, and
passed their examination with much credit to
themselves and teacher.
The Second intermediate is under the teach
ing of Miss Lilly Mills. This school was review
ed by lumber of the Board, with gratifying
result. a healthy system Of moral and intel
lectual training and instruction, exhibits emf
nent success, and the importation Of solid benc-
fits. The drawings in this school were adnira-
bic, giving evidence of the proficiency Of the
teacher and the care she has taken of her charge.
We are sorry to hear it is the purpose of Mss
Mills to resign at the end Of the present SEES
sion.
On Thursday. the Upper Graded Schools,
viz +: The High, Capt. j. E. LacAey; the Gram
mar, Mrs. G. II. Tipping, and the Intermedi-
ate. Mrs. V. A. Thompson, were examined by
the entire Board. The spacious rooms of the
Upper Academy were filled with interested
spectators, many Of them the fathers and moth
ers, of the scholars. The examination was
most thorough, embracing all the studies in
each branch, with no books in sight and no one
to prompt, so that it was easily seen that no
examining had been done, but that the studies
had been digested, and become . part of the
pupil himself. Dr.. Manley was very earnest
in his remarks on the occasion, he having been
an attentive observer of the progress of the ex-
aminations in all the classes. He said it was an
honest. true, faithful examination into what
The scholars know. He remarked that he had
been born in school. and he had been there
the most of his life; but he had nevels before
chat occasion, seen OF heard such thoroughness
in Latin, Mathematics, Physical Geography and
Declaration.
Maj. Ell. NJ. Bell, President of the Board OF
Public School Trustees, and to whose persis-
;ent and well directed and well digested efforts,
The citizens are greatly indebted for the pres
INT schools, expressed himself highly gratified
with the result, and his establishment at the
progress of the schools, in so short a time as
eight months, the time the present plan has
been operated He thought at first when the
school authorities had prepared accommoda-
lions for 50ascholars, that they would have room
enough and to spare. But they now had 1893
scholars enrolled, with almost daily applica-
ions, and not half school room enough He
alluded feelingly to the arduous labors of Prof
Ladl, to whose administrative and executive
Utility and enlightened skill, aided by q com.
1etent corps Of assistants, the Public Free
schools of Staunton had reached their present
gratifying advancement.
The oral examinations OF last week will be
ollowed by written examinations this week, az |
er which the Public Schools of Staunton will |
lose until the LIST of Sept. 1874.
AN INTERESTING LAW CAsE.-The Chief
[usticeawill be here to hold the Circuit Court of
he United States With Judge Bond Oh Wednes-
lap June Sd. The case of Thomas's alminis-
rator VS. The Exchange Bank, ct. ais, is set
or trial OH that day. This is a case of very
,reat interest to the people of the entire South.
Nhe facts are briefly these: Gen. G.. II. Thorn
s. who oceil!1ied so consDicso,1s q nosition il,