Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-09

eases In 1870 II reached s4s. This use Of tae
rod was 20 careless. 10 use no stronger term,
nom the saperintend Who in ii. reSors for
that year, page IS, says at 10 the wish aud de-
termination Of the board to enforce strict OBJ
requires Of ali teachers the a,oidoncs Of cor.
poral punishment As far as may be, with due
regard to the necessity Of obedience on the part
Of the pupil; and the monthly report of the
teacher who has no case Of corporal punish
ment to return gives the most Satisfaction"
The effect Of this protest was q depression
In the number OF cases from $40 down
to 81, and IL was reasonably expected
that this depression would continue, but
such did not prove to be the case. Last
year the number increased to 40. showing such
a degree Of vitality in the rod that the atten-
ton OF the teachers lie again called to the pro-
test OF the Superintendent; and your commit
tee express their earnestdesire that the teachers
snail make special effort to carry for ward the
great cause committed to their care-the educa-
ton Of the children combining discretion with
nrmnese, and exercising their duties in the
kindly spirit OF the counsellor, the guide, and
the friend. Your committee do not deem it
within their province to present any argument
in behalf OF an entire suppression Of corporal
punishment, the Board being fully competent
to take such action as may be wise and prudent
upon this vital subject.
NECESSITY FOR CONGRESSIONAL AID.
The Importance of education requires that
every effort shall be made to give 1t its due share
OF our attention and our means, and in pushing
forward this beloved cause we find that the ne
pressing than at this time; for IL appears that,
after having made extraordinary efforts to bring
mp our system Of Public School education to the
highest standard, we may fail unless we receive
our portion of that fostering care Congress has
so wisely exercised in behalf of the education
or the people in every state and territory Of the
Union, except the District of Columbia. This
system Is purely American; the children are
taught their duties to their country and to them
selves, and every effort is being made to estab-
lish at the National Capital degree of perfection
n sch aAu cafi,,p q hat, uin
correspond with other department Is Of national
Importance; and friends of education, both at
home and abroad, may feel assured that we
comprehend our responsibilities and are work.
ing up to them.
THE CHANGE IN THE ORGANIC LAW,
brings the people Of the District into mora al.
rect and intimate relations with Congress, and
leads us to anticipate necessary recognition in
all matters OF public Importance; and thus feel
ing strengthens when we consider the fact that
Congress has already exercised authority over
our avenues, streets. and boundaries, through
the medium of the Board of Public Works, it
has taken cognizance OF the sanitary condition
or the people, by means of the Board of Health;
the orphans Of the soldiers and sailors who
went forth from this District are tenderly
ficted ones have their distressed condition
ameliorated by requisite and proper appropria-
lions for asylums for the deaf and dumb and
insane, and those upon whom sudden calamity
falls are shielded in our hospitals; whilst
those who are more than orphans, our neglected
youth have bestowed upon them the projecting
care Of the Reform School; and those whose ca.
reer is marred by crime, have the department
Of police and the courts provided for them In
fact every element of social life has Justly re-
ceived its due consideration, and hence we feel
that surely Congress will not turn away from
extending that aid absolutely demanded BY the
necessities of the people to enable them to edu-
that the gravity of the subject entities it to the
most careful consideration, and trust that rep
resentation may be made so clear and compre-
we need.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The present and future interests of the peo-
pie may warrant the making of such a change
in the fundamental law upon which our system
Is based, as Is indicated by the superintendent
In his report for the present year, by which a
Board OF Education, created by Congress and
sustained by Judicious appropriations, in addi-
ton to the generous cooperation of the people,
shall take charge of the whole matter. This
VIII doubtless receive from the committee on
Legislation that thoroughness of treatment
which will not only cover the whole case, but
lead to asuccessful issue.
OUR SCHOOLS AT THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
The Austrian authorities having expressed a
desire that the American School System should
be represented at the great Exposition which
was held in Vienna in 1873, the Board deter
any demonstration that might be male. A
committee having been appointed to attend to
the matter, they had prepared and sent to vi
the most Pubic School Eudps 81
showing in detail the plans of the
buildings; q model of the Franklin school
in all the grades Of schools, &c.
The chart contained matter of detail which
ought to be preserved in our school records, as
showing the details Of the educational system
at the time 1t was prepared.
All the correspondents of American news
papers had much TO say of the American educa-
tonal exhibit, which was, in some respects,
superior to that of any other country. General
Eaton, the Commissioner OF Education, who
was in Vienna, says he was everywhere met
with requests for American educational Stats
buildings. The model of the Franklin Building
was one of the special attractions, and educators
from different parts Of Europe made drawings
Of its exterior, and when permission was gwen
to take the model apart, great interest was
manifested in examining the details of its ar
which were noted and commended
and nd, compared np with the Photographic plans.
Seaton, Wallach, Jefferson, and other buildings
were also critically examined, and the result
wa, was that to Washington was awarded the
The awards and prizes were
classified in the following order first, grand
diplomas OF honor; second, medals for progress;
fine arts; fifth, medals for good taste; sixth,
medals for co0perat0rs; and, seventh, diplomas
OF merit, or honorable mention. 1t will thus be
rank, and received one of the highest prizes,
in which no one at all interested
In the progress Of our schools can fail to feel
just pride.
EVIDENCE OF GROWTH
Lookingover the whole field, we are convinced
that the last school year furnishes evidence of
growth In the right direction. Our schools are
steadily and permanently improving, and they
offer alike to rich and poor the opportunities
OF good education. 1t Is not claimed that all
the favorable results have been realized that
the system is capable of producing. In some
instances, mistakes may have been made, but
all connected with the schools have, we be-
live, endeavored to make them more and more
efficient and popular; and that the community
our labors is shown by the great in
crease in the number of pupils at the begin
ming of the present school year. II education
Is ever to be made universal 1t must be in
great degree through the public school system;
and that it should be universal, the highest and
best interests of the country demand. To do
our part toward the expansion Of this idea of
universal education, we must have better school
accommodations, and must secure the best ed
ucational talent that can be found. The report
closes by quoting from an article on universal
education, recently published by Ray Palmer,
ID. d., giving various reasons for the prosecu
ton OF the work Of extending education to the
whole people.