National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-08
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THE OPENING YESTERDAY.

The
Az predieted by TIE REPUBLICAN yesterday
the annual opening of the public schools was such
that should give encouragement to every one in
terested in the education Of the youth Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Long before the hour Of open
ing large numbers Of boys and girls could be seen
assembling in the vicinity Of the school buildings
some of whom had, owing to the neglect Of their
parents failed to obtain the ticket Of admission,
and, as q matter Of course, were refused seats in
the schools; others interested, majority Of whom
were pupils Of the schools during the year 1873,
had the preference.
It's singular fact that the rush for admission
to public schools yesterday was far beyond the
expectation Of those having cOntIol Of the
schools which shows the necessity Of aid from
Congress in furnishing additional accommodation
for at least 5000 children who are deprived Of the
facilities Of q common school education in conse-
Quenee Of the want Of sufficient funds for the ac-
commodstiOn-of this increase Of the youth Of the
District.
The District Commissioners are anxious that
the children Of the District who are OF that class
that desire to attend the public schools should be
provided for, and judging by the interest mani
tested on their part, it s very evident that they
will use every facility to increase the number Of
buildings, in order that all may be allowed the
privilege intended TO be afforded the children Of
the District Of Columbia.
IhE CbLAS oO1OO4Aos
The interest manifested by the parents of chill
dren eligible for admission in the public schools
for eolored children in the cities Of Washington
and Georgetown was very manifest yesterday.
Long before the hour designated for the school
building to be opened crowds Of applicants had
assembled about the buildings. Especially was
this the case in the First school district Sumner
building being the main object Of consideration
Of those DESTROYS Of having their children edu-
-, IN
the above building, It lie only necessary to state
that fully 800 applicants were turned away, there
not being sufficient accommodation for them. In
the Second district the desire on the part of app
cants for admission WGs as eager as in the other
| district Hundreds were turned away from the
| John F. Cook school, while the Rhees school was
also uncomfortably filled.
The Third district displayed unusual zeal in
! furnishing materials for our public schools. At
| the Lincoln building It was found necessary to
open two additional schools, making ten in ala
! necessity that has not existed for the past two
| years. The LOvejoy, in the same district, but
! more remotely situated from the centre Of the
school population, presented full seats.
In the Fourth district, at the Anthony Bowen
| and Delaware-aVenue schools and the several de-
tached buildings used for school purposes, the
| pressure wasvery great, so much so that hun
| dreds were turned away. Superintendent Cook
! the schools, and found everything working
smoothly except at the Sumner building, where
| by the unaccountabel absence of the principal
and the unusually large number Of applicants fol
| admission, made It apparent that considerable
confusion must follow, but for the fact that Super
intendent Cook fortunately had not left the build
| ing That gentleman Immediately assumed con
| troll and prevented what would otherwise have
| been an unfortunate opening.
The trustees with eommendable foresight havt
greatly strengthened these schools this year b!
placing most accomplished teachers in charge o
the highest grade, with the rank of assistant prin
cipal This change was made to enable the prin
cipal to exercise more complete supervision 0
| all the schools in the building.
Thecolored schools start of with fair prospect
Of showing most excellent results at the end OF tn
school year, and the gentlemen having them Il
charge are doing their very best 20 meet the 81
pectat ions Of the Commissioners.