National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-10

The following table shows. In round NUMBERS
since 1890, including the cost ofnew buildings:
June : 81 Is s1'1 Jun. E e: g;
june 50, 1852 1900 june 80. 1859 $500
June 30, 1853 $4,000 June 30, 1870 2ao,o9l
June 80, 1854 5000 June 90, 1871 :. s5s.ooS
june 50, 1885 1900 june 50, 1873 = 2be,00o
For further statistical details the committee
refer to the comprehensive report Of the supeLin.
connection We would express our hearty concur;
renee in all Of his recommendations. A careful
examination Of the report viii show that the
every cent has been duly accounted for. and the
utmost care exercised in the administration Of the
trusts committed to the board.
7HE NORMAL SCHOOL.
After years of effort We have at last obtained
Of every public school system-a normal school
which is now in full and successful operation, un
der the control Of highly efficient teacher, Miss
take our own girls, those who graduate from our
public schools and desire to become teachers, and
TO give them proper training In order to ut them
The course of study is strictly professional and s
to be pursued with reference to the best methods
of teaching. As the school grows In years and
viii be, in = great degree, Independent Of text.
books, and whose knowledge Will be of things
themselves, rather than ofany form Of words from
TIE ness German educators, and Of Agassis and
his workers IN ~ IN. own land.
Our next step should pc The organization Of q
High school, the necessity Of when nav been set
we content ourselves here by cordial indorse-
meDt of the views Of the superintendent on this
important question.
THE COURSE OF STUDY.
The subjects Of drawing, vocal music and German
have been 60 exhaustively treated that the COM
faad aav n Il n
been carefully considered by the board, Q plan
ey the Of
them to impart instruction to their pupils in this
branch of study. The matter was placed in charge
OF MRS SSa.e Of q ns
mended her to the board. She has entered zeal.
ou.ly upon her duties, with fair promise Of abund
an.
Of progress and will doubtless produce the most
satisfactory results; the pupils will eventually
harmony and Tocsli1stion, and fully conversani
with whatever is valuable in this important source
of culture. The absence Of the study of the Ger
BE-
TRn q hs ssar ss t.
THE EXAMINATIONS OF THE YEAR
just closed were satisfactory to all concerned. and
reflected great credit upon the teachers; but, on
account Of certain defects in the present system,
1t might be we'll for the board to consider the
aminations as shalf meet ali the requirements Of
the ease and awaken additional interest on the
part Of the public In these interesting exercises ut
While there has been marked Improvement in
attendance, the schools are still much retarded by
irregularity In this respect. Our schools are now
succeed unless each member Of the class keeps up
in his studies. 10 to be hoped that this subject
viii more forcihly engage the attention Of the
public, and that home duties will be go arranged
as to enable pupils to DO regular and punctuaI in
their attendance.
TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORDER
Is an everpresent source of anxiety to be able to
govern school 20 that the kindly elements Of the
pupils nature may be developed, and to avoid any
gree Of moral and mental discipline on the part Of
the teacher. and 1t IL earnestly desired that the
time may speedily come in our public schools
the age is Christian, and the law Of doing unto
others as we would have others do unto us Is
coming to be rule Of action, and violence as re-
and that aught but the law Of Kindness should
prevail in the temples dedicated to education Is
hard to be accounted for. 1t might therefore be
would be prudent to make the discipline of our
schools intellectual and moral-entirely free from
snythlng Ike physical force Prove an things,
accounts in great measure for the worlds pro-
gress; and might We not Be willing to prove, by
giving 1t fair and conscientious trial. that the
rod is not q necessity in the cause of education.
Tho trustees have always shown an interest in
this matter. evidently anticipating the time when
the school would become place to be sought, and
friend to be loved, and not tyrant to be dreaded
As early as 1916, when the present school system
was inaugurated. the rule on this subject was as
follows. viz: a. The teachers shall practice such
discipline In their schools as would be exercised
by kind, judicious parent In his family, and
shall avoid corporal punishment in all cases
served by miidef measuresWs very careful rule Ill
and full Of Significance, and. in view Of the eond
tion Of the public school system nearly thirty
mcnt on the subject. and Is justly entitled TO our
most decided appreciation.
DECREASE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
The early reports take up each schools record
and they show that the trustees mani
tested IN nteiligent and continuous desire to dis
card corporal punishment In the discipline Of the
schools The report for lsls states that 'mora In
fiuences In tbs preeent improved systems Of edu-
cation arc fast duplicating the discipline Of the
few instances Of corporal Punishment have O.
CURED in the schools Of the First district during
the year" In che report for 1859 We ind the fol
ing e severity, Ind. no disieuity IN the govern
meut Of the school" 1.-THE discipline Of the school
Is firmly bat mildly maintained, corpora. punish
tEsI a.. S sSsa
scteri.ed by becoming familiarity and respect, and
Q wholesome discipline is maintained by affection
moral suasion, IS are most Of our schools; and
though corporal punishmcnt 10 occasionally re-
sorted to, It is generally In extreme cases, when
the report fer 1857 the following statements were
made: THE teacher possesses that admirable
faculty Of eiclting the obedience Of the children
THE order and discipline have Improved greatly,
the teacher having made Q great change in the
previous mode Of governing the school, substitute
harshness for the rod !; and Though corporal pun
ishment has been fesorted to- II was less frequent
than formerly" The extracts here given might
be readily increased. .--
THE PRESENT RuLs
lie az follows "AIld and conclIiatory discipline is
enjoned on all teachers, and the avoidance Of cor
poral punishment rs far as may be, with B due re-
the pupil" 1t was doubtless anticipated that
tireIY pass away, but such has not yet been the
result, and We find that. the cases In les0-'7l
reached eaa. This use Of the rod was 90 careless,
remonstrance from the superintendent,
Who in his report for that year. page 49, says:
ut IL the wish and determination Of the board TO
enforce o strict Observance Of its rule upon the
subject which requires Of all teachers the avoid
anco Of corporal punishment as far rs may be,
with due regard 10 the necessity OF obedicncs 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 depression in tho
number Of cases from 90 down TO 81, and It was
reasonably expected that this depression would
continue, but euch did not prove to DO tho case.
Last year the number increased to ~, showing
such degree Of vitality In the rod that the atten
ton Of the teachers Il again called to the protest
Of the superintendeht; and your COMMITTEES cx:
press their earnest desire that the teachers shall
mako special effort to carry forward the great
cause commitced to their cafe-the education Of
the chiidfen-combining discretion with hrnnese,
and exercising their duties IN the Kindly spirit Of
the counselor, the guide and the friend. Your
committee do not deem It within thcir.proyince
to present any argument In behalf OF an entire
suppression Of corporal punishmcnt, the board
Deing nnliy competent 10 lake such action as may
Do wise and prudent upon this vital subject.
NECESSITY ron CONGRESSIONAL AID.
Tho necessity Of edueatlsu requires that every
effort shall be made 70 give u rs duo rhars OF our