Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-11
Our Public schools.

ioysble and interesting that there will lie gem
eraI regret that they are brought to an end by
the close OF the season.
Our Public schools.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The Proposed Change Of Tezt BoOks-Germ1a IN
the ScfooIs-A Lirely Debate on TANKS to M
meeting of the Board OF Public School TINS
tees as held at the Franklin building last eve
ming, Mr. Richards in the chair, aud all the
members present except Messrs. Dulin and
Marcbe.
TEACHRRsHIPs, ETC.
The superintendent, Mr.. j. o. Wilson, pre-
sented applications for tescherships from MISS
Annie NJ. Prescott. of Boston; Mr.. X. Preston,
OF wilmington Del, and Misses Sarah L.
He also recommends that the folio wing teach
ere be placed upon the list of teachers receiving
the sdvsnced salary, they having given salts
factory proof OF successful experience Misses
Virginia Boss, Martha J. MeCutchen and Sarah
II. johnson; adopted.
A communication from the Governor of the
District of Columbia, stating that he had des-
igDated Mr.. A. Cluss as Inspector of school
buildings swas read.
Superintendent Wilson presented the abstract
OF reports for theupast month, showing number
on roll last dsv OF February, ,sSs: average
daily attendance, y322; vacant seats. SOS; wait.
ing admission, 50; cases of Hardness, 81; cases
corporal punishment, 2, third district;l pupils
dismissed, 81; do. suspended, 40.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
MIR. warner, from the committee on supplies,
submitted a report that they had had inter
views with Mr. Ballantyne as to furnishing sup
plies OF books, &c. Mr.. Crandell, the lowest
bidder, declined to furnish further supplies un-
less hts bill was paid, and Mr.. Ballantyne was
that some of the articles could not now be far
nisbed at the figures of his bid, but he would
furnish such at the lowest market rates. The
committee recommend that the supplies be OBJ
tanned from Mr. b. Adopted
Mr.. Rhees, from the committee on Normal
school, recommended that Shaw's Specimens
of English Literature be adopted as a text book
in the Normal school. Referred to the commit
tee on text books.
Mr.. French, from the committee on prizes
and examinations, submitted a report as t. the
aminations be held IN the early part of June.
Mr.. Knees submitted a minority report on the
subject, providing that oral examinations NAV
be held by the teachers under the approval OF
the subj boards.
Mr.. Mcclellan moved that the subject be
made the special order at the next meeting;
agreed TO.
THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN TEXTBOOKS
MIR. Harris, from the committee on text books
recommended that Cornells geography be DIS
continued as text book in the public schools.
MIR. ChamplIn presented a minority report
THAT Cornelrs series of geography have been
but comparatively short time in use IN the
schools, and have given, on the whole, reason
able satisfaction, and that they were adopted at
an adjourned meeting of the board held Jan
uary %, 1872, and were introduced, at a com
par atively small expense, September follow
ing, by a vote Of IL to 3; and that TO incur, or
cause to be incurred, a needless expense to the
patrons Of the schools by recommending any
change in text books now in use wouId be un-
wise and prejudicial to the interests of the pub
lie schools"
The matter was laid over.
THE GERMAN QUESTION.
Mr.. Roesser offered a resolution "that accord
ing 10 law authorizing the study of the German
language, said German language shall be INTRO
duced for the coming year into all the grammar
classes OF the public schools, and that the COM
mittee on German and the superintendent of
public schools are hereby directed to inquire
for competent teachers in German, and prepare
for their employment during the coming year"
Mr. Chsmplin opposed the resolution, and
moved that the subject be postponed until the
committee on German could report some prac-
teal plan for its consideration.
Mr.. Harris opposed any further postpone
ment, and regarded the motion as an effort to
stsve of the subject and prevent the introduc-
ton of the German language.
Mr.. Champions motion was agreed to: Yeas
Lloyd, Rhees, Richards, Warner, Wright
Nays-Messrs. Harris, Hart, Mcclellan, O'Dris-
coll, Roesser, Wilson, Wolff.
PROPOSED NEW RULRs.
MIR. Chsmphn moved that the committee on
rules be instructed to inquire into the propriety
of having standing committee on penmanship
and drawing; referred to the committee on
Mr.. Wolf moved that the rules be 30 amended
as to prohibit any member of the board from
speaking longer than ten minutes on any one
THANKS TO MR.. CoRCoRAN.
Mr.. Champlin offered q resolution rendering
the thanks of the board to Mr.. w. ". Corcoran
for his generous action in advancing money
for the payment Of the teachers.
MIR: Wilson inquired il the officers of the
board received their pay.
DIR. Fardon.-As far as the secretary is con-
cerned. he does not wish pay from this source
luton. Mr.. Corcoran's object was plain. He
gave his money that the papers might herald
the fact TO the world, and he succeeded.
Mr.. Alice urged that they had no right to
impugn the motives of Mr.. Corcoran, and it
was as little as they could do to return thanks.
Nr. Hart said that the facts were, that when
received their pay he offered TO advance one
months pay, and when he ascertained the
amornt required he agreed TO double 1t.
Mr.. Hovey thought the subject should not
TO do with it, Mr.. COrcoran had not Off cially
communicated this offer TO the board
Mr.. Wolf said he had known trustees TO ad-
vance money for this purpose, and considering
their means, the offer was far more liberal than
that Of Mr.. Corcoran, and yet no thanks were
looked tor.
Mr.. Harris-Thv act was not done in quiet
way.
After some further discussion. Mr.. Hovey, in
answer TO a question, said he had stated that
the offer WAS made for effect on the authority
OF the general reputation OF MIR. Corcoran,
whose gifts were said to be Of the monumental
sort.
II.
Corcoran. but thought the trustees should have
had nothing to do with the money. He did not
believe that one dollar would have been offered
IL IL had not been tor the arraignment OF the
District government. He did not believe that
Mr.. Corcoran would have made the offer III he
had not be lieved 1t would have its effect In the
Investigation.
Mr. Champlin said he understood that the
offer was not made until after IL had been as
certained through the investigation that the
board had overdrawn its funds and the teachers
had not been paid. He proposed to thank Mr..
CorcoraD.
Mr.. Harris-we can thank him personally.
Mr.. AtLee.-The teachers received the money
gratefully.
Mr.. French.-Then let them do the thanking.
The resolution was adopted. Yeas-Messrs.
AtLee, Champlin, Hart, Lloyd, Mel sllan,
o'Dfiscoll, Rhees, Warner, Wilson, Wright
10. Nays-Messrs. Allen, French, Harris,
hoyey. Richards, Roesser, Wolf.
Mr. khees offered Q resolution requesting
Congress to create
BOARD OF EDUCATION
III .ns Distrct, with corporate powers, to have
a., y. OF AL school property and funds, author
ny 70 ~ point Its own officers, to determine the
rae Oh school tar to be levied 70 purchase sites
and erect school buildings, &c Also nroine
upon congress the necessity Of the bill III Re
NO. 2.3l2l introduced by Hon y. p Chinman
proFicing that one third OF the ex pense rrsd