Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-02-11
The Public school,

haIfE, woodward, WOLF, Mcclellan, Rhees,
Richards. French, Hovey, Allen, Marche, Al
Lee, Chanpain and Wilson present. with Mr..
Pardon, secretary, W. L. Cowan, treasurer, and
MI j. %. Wilson, superintendent.
GermOD6 Crandell. stating that under the con-
tract with the board he had been since August
last furnishing books, &c, To the schools, aud
Sot having been paid, be did not feel, in the
present stringency OF the money market, justi-
fed m continuing the supplies. Laid over tenn
porzrily.
The superintendent presented the applica-
tons of Mrs. Josephine F. Garrett and Anna
L. Derrick, of Alexandria, and Roberta Jane
Msupin, of Washington, for teachers positions,
and OF Mrs. X. ). True, of Elizabeth, \. j., for
teacher Of music, and hey were referred.
A communication was received from Thomas
Atkinson, general agent for the National
collect funds through pupils OF the schools.
The secretary was directed TO reply that the
rules OF the board will not allow it.
The superinte ndent presented abstract of re-
ports for the past month, showing number Of
pupils on rolls Last day Of month, $50; average
during month, $50; average daily attendance
.472; vacant seats, (93 in LIST district, OF in %
196 in Sd, and s. in 4Jh,) 400 applicants go in
LIST district, 20 in I'd, in Sd. and none in 4th y
43; corporal punishment, g in LIST district and
I'D 4tn,) Il pupils dismissed, Is in 1St district,
in I'd. in Cd, and in 4th, 10 "a; pupils suspend
Ith,) 81.
Mr.. Harris submitted the report of the COM
mittee on annual report; which was adopted.
Mr.. Hart called up his resolution, offered
several months ago, providing for printing 900
copies OF the report; which was adopted.
Mr.. French, from the committee on prizes
ard examinations, submitted report that on
the examination of schools for the special
medals for spelling, such teachers as have two
grades or schools shall he requiTed TO send six
scholars of each grade to the competitive exam
nations in the grades to which they belong
Mr.. Roesser, from the special committee on
German. submitted a report.
GERMAN IN THE SCHOOLS.
The report OF the committee OF The school
board in regard to the introduction OF the Ger
man language iii the public schools was read.
showing that from 1871 to 1872 there were i02
pupils giving attention TO this study, and from
1s12 to 1873 but 253 pupils. The pursuit of this
study has been voluntary, and not intended to
interfere with the other branches. The COM
mittee state that the study has been suspended,
the former board refusing to appoint teachers
OF the language. The committee report in IA
yOr OF reintroducing the study, for the follow
ing reasons
/. Ii the German nationality maintain their
own private schools, the result will be, that the
Anglo and Characterization youth will not
iniermingle and that caste distinctions will nat
uraIy follow and grow up. The main object of
German-English instruction Is to promote a
mingliDg of the two different natIonaties and
melting into one homogeneous population.
?. The American system of public schools is
everywhere admired and considered the best;
IL is true democratic institution which innOc-
ulates into every youth the great principles of
equality, and eXtiDguishes all distinctions be-
tween rich and poor, all difference of religion
and birth; il creates republican citizens with
an equal chance for an education. Every one
who symPathizes with the public schools should
eDdeayOr TO make the public schools attractive
Tor the whole population, so that they would
predominant over all private schools. Not only
Germans, but many Americans who attend pri-
yate schools. will, by the addition OF the Ger
man study in our schools, feel themselves inyit-
ed and alluTed to visit the public schools.
3: Commercial and business reasons ght be
adduced in favor of this new branch of instruc
ton. The German population comprises about
one-siNth of the whole population in the Union.
Americans will profit mostly by understanding
and speaking German in their everyday inter
course with Germans in all their business and
commercial relations. The Importance OF the
German language in this country becomes APP
parent from the fact that there are published
in this country 365 German newspapers.
1. But Of still greater Importance is the pre-
valence Of the German language in scientific
works. Germany stands in this respect Unri-
vailed, 90 that Prot. Tyndall devoted a great
portion OF the proceeds OF his lectures held in
this country for the education of American
youth in German universities.
,. English and German are two sis
ter languages. The German language contains
the chronological key and the roots TO more than
oDe-thId OF the English vocabulary ana to the
grammar. No English scholar can be perfect
in grammar, without understanding thoroughly
the German language, as the root OF English.
Therefore the knowledge of the German Ian
guage will necessarily be of great advantage in
the study of the English.
8. In addition to that, we will state, til at the
supeTlUIenuelrS
Hartford, Conn, ST. Louis, Cincinnati, Cieve-
land, New York, Louisville, KY, Chicago, Mil
wsukee, Toledo, Dayton, Belleville, ILL.,,
Davenport, Iowa, Indianapolis, Ind, New
Tim, Mimi, Sc, show that the study of the
German language in the public schools, has
proven 10 be great success.
:. The last, but not the least argument is of
fered by the situation of Washington city, as
the seat OF the highest legislative, judicial and
administrative Offices, the residence of the for
eign ministers and the central point OF scientific
8 ms fnff frOvr, fah
rays Of light should shine and radiate over the
whole country.
The report was ordered to be printed in the
minutes and laid over until the next stated
Mr.. Chsmplin called up the report of the
committee on text books in relation to the in
PRODUCTION of the Franklin third and fourth
readers IL place of the present Hilard letters of
the same grade.
Mr.. ODriscoll moved that the report be
adopted; agreed 10.
The consideration of the communication of
Germond Crandell was resumed, and Mr.. Will
son moved that ii be referred to the committee
on supplies; agreed TO.
Mr.. Wilson moved that the sub boards make
their own provision until the committee report.
Mr.. Woodward suggested that the next lowest
bidder should be looked to.
Mr.. Hart moved TO amend the motion of Mr.,
Wilson by adding "that if Mr. Ballantyne, the
next lowest bidder, will agree TO furnish the
supplies at his bid that they be ordered from
him"
Mr.. Harris offered as a substitute that the
committee on supplies confer with Mr.. b. on
the subject, and ascertain ii he will furnish sup
plies according to his bid Of June last, which
was accepted by Mr.. Wilson and adopted.
Mr.. Mcclellan moved that the schools be
closed on the sd of February, (holiday;)
adopted.
Mr.. Wilson offered resolution providing for
the appointment OF a committee to report a
plan by which the educational interests OF
Washington may be represented at the centen-
NAL celebration; adopted, and Messrs. Harris
Rhees, Hovey and j. NJ. Wilson were appointed
with Superintendent Wilson-Mr. Wilson, of
the ith district, being chairman.
MIR. Hovey, OF the Sd district, reported the
transfer Of Lizzie A. Scott from Primary II to
-, and Fanny 4. Crosby from Primary ID to IL.
Mr.. Hovey offered a resolution requesting the
committee on schools TO make a personal inspec-
ton OF all the school buildings and grounds un-
der the care of the toard, and report their
present condition, and especially the condition
OF the privies, whether of sufficient capacity,
conveniently located, and Clearly; also, to pre-
pare plat of all school grounds drawn on a
uniform scale, and to report whether the grounds
are so fenced, and the privies SO secured, as TO
be practically under the control OF the teachers
and school officers.
Mr.. HOvey said this was an important cues
ton, Tor IL could not be disguised but that some
OF the schools were very deficient in such &C
cOmmOdations.