Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-06

Order 10 settle up these advances which mad been
made, and was final settlement with the old
corporation. The settlement was made, and Is
in the conclusion Of the comm ssioners report,
which gives statement between the old corpo.
ration and the District. In that way the Dis
trict was reimbursed on account of tho old
debts of the corporation. This is where the
balance of S101 900 for the school fund came
from; the excess the school fund has received
came from the settlement. He submitted a
statement showing the receipts and expenses of
the schools since he became Governor, which
showed that he expended S1l5, l0i, and collected
s62, 1888.
MIR. Thurman asked the counsel to furnish
the committee the law authorizing the new
government to assume the debts OF the old cor
poration.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS WILSON EXAM
INED.
James o. Wilson, Superintendent of Public
Schools, sworn and examined:-Is Superintend-
ent of Public Schools; has been since 1870; his
superintendence, in part, extends over the whole
district, the county and cOlored schools have
superntendents of their own.
e. Can you explain the everdraft for the
school fund? A. 1t occurred by paying out
more money for school purposes than was re-
ceived from the tax levied. IL commenced in
elusive of buildings, / would estimate at
$500, 900 per annum for the whole District, white
and colOred schools. There are one third of
the pupils colored; IL ,OOO pupils ure enrolled
in all. The enumeration is 81 900 between six
and seventeen years OF these about 81 46- 100
are colored. The average daily attendance is
schools are kept ten months in the year. We
have all grades excepting the high school,
Our highest grade is grammar school, with
high school class. We have a deficiency of
school buildings. The greatest deficiency is
right here under the shadow of the Capitol
The teachers number $50. The lowest salary is
St5 and the highest 81 800. My salary is 80 600
The monthly pay roll amounts at the present
time for teachers between sic, 600 and Sl7 900;
the pay-rolls are certified by the trustees of the
public schools. The teachers are paid their
U a IN WI fha ia
paid. The treasurer OF Washington receives as
salary $500; Georgetown, $500; the county the
same as Georgetown, think. These officers
are appointed by the Governor of the District
who appoints ali school officers.
q. Do you know OF any teachers who have
been paid in tax lien certificates? A. No, sir;
think none have been thus paid.
q. How have the teachers got along since last
september? Have they received any advances
or supplies, to your knowledge? A. Not that [
know OF, only in trihing way-none from the
q. would like to know how these people live.
Have they abandoned their positions, any of
them? A. No, they couldn't afford to do that
q. Couldn't they, as well as work for nothing?
A. Well, their position gives them some credit
q. You say none have abandoned their
places A. No, on the contrary; am receiving
daily Applications for appointments. Laugh
By Mr.. Hubbell:-what proportion of scholars
are children of employees OF the genera COVE IN
ment? A. About 81 per cent, nearly ono-thIrd
The schools are maintained wholly BY taxation;
there is no other fund.- they are free to all child
rem between 6 and II years of age; the q per
cent OF the children Of non taxpayers are those
in the schools, not in the enumeration; visit
the enthusiastically once or twice a month; the
teachers, under the rules OF the Board of Trus-
tees, are under my direction; they prescribe
the books to be used and the course of study to
De pursued; have no voice in the appointment
of school teachers.
By. Judge Merrick:-The aggregate cost of
salaries in Washington is about 100000, Of
nedrlV :
y. III this be so, how could the fund of SOL 900
collected from July last have become exhaust
ed. a. IN July last there was due four months
salary; 1t was paid In August and September;
the salaries for white teachers in that time
would amount tn S36, 900, and for the colored
schools about half OF that amount, and then the
salaries due during vacation were declared pay
able in advance-that is, July and August sal
aries were paid in June.
BY Mr.. Mattingly:-When the District gov
eminent was organized there was four months
salary due. The late corporation was very IT.
regular in theirlpayment of teachers salaries
Salaries have been paid in part by the old cor
poration In bonds. During Mayor Emery's ad-
ministratiOn the salaries were six months be-
hind. The new government pays with greater
regularity than did the old. The proportion of
children whose parents are Taxpayers is about
one third of those in attendance.
By Mr.. Wilson.-Do you know of any legisla-
i've act authorizing the revenues of this wear
70 pay the salaries of last wear. A. No, sir. but
here Is no other fund from which it could be
paid.
By Mattingly.-I think the District govern
ment has done all in its power to pay the
generally.
By MIR. Thurman.-Let me remind the coan-
sci that the last question asks for an opinion
we cannot ask for opinions, it would prolong
this investigation indefinitely.
Mr.. MattiDgly.-I merely asked him because
he was Superintendent of the Public Schools
Mr. Thurman said that the committee had
acted thus far under their general powers, and
might SO proceed further, but that the time was
approaching when the memorialists must make
SPECIFIC charges. OF course they need not make
a Whole BODY OF specifications, but they should
day ext, or by Wednesd ay at the furthest.
The committee, at 2 O'Clock, adjourned until
Tuesday next at II O'Clock.