Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-29
City School Board.


clock; present: Edgar Suowieu, esq, Presi-
dent, and Messrs. Addison, j. S. Beach, S. F.
Beach, Hopkins, Mckenzie, Neale and Whit.
tiogton. MIR. Kemper came in few moments
after the roll had been called
The Clerk having been sent out, in the alb.
sence of the messenger, to hunt up quorum,
the Superintendent read the mioutes of the
two last regular meetings, which were ap-
proved.
Mr.. Mckenzie, from the Committee on Fl
nance aud Accounts, reported the Superinteud-
cots account OF the expenditure of the Pea
body Fund, and that of the Chairman of the
COMMITTEE 90 Schnohouses aud Furniture, of
the contingent and hall fluids, correct, and sup
ported By proper vouchers, which report was
accepted.
Also, bills of T. j. Mehafey & Co., coal,
1926. 25, and Green & Bro, teachers desks
SIG, which we're ordered to be paid.
The Superintendent laid before the Board
bill of $S3 for paving in front of the lot, owned
by the Board, on Cameron and Columbus sts.
which, on motion Of MIR. Hopkins, was refer
red to the Committee on Finance and Accounts
said paving having been done by order Of the
City Council, and not by that Of the Board.
A communication from the Principal of
Washington School asking permission to use
Holmes History of the Uoited States instead
OF Blackburn g. McDonald's Grammer School
History Was then read, and, after lengthy
debate on the subject, was referred to a special
committee, consisting Of Messrs. Neale, Nc
Keuzie and Kemper.
The Superintendent laid before the Board
the accounts of the City Treasurer, and stated
that he had examined the vouchers ADD found
them correct; also, the bill Of the Treasurer for
S4S796, commissions for three years, which,
| under Instructions from the Superintendent Of
Public Instruction and the Board, he had re.
fused to allow. He said that the validity of
the claim was now under the consideration of
the Attorney General.
On motion Of Mr.. Mckenzie, the accounts
and the bill was laid on the table.
The Superintendent stated that there was a
Decessty for blinds or shades to the windows
10 the fourth story of the Peabody building.
The glare in the room was unbearable, and as
the windows opened instead Of lifting, the or.
binary blind could not be used.
On motion Of Mr. Kemper the matter was
| referred to the Committee on School Houses
and furniture, with power to do what should
appear to be necessary, at as little cost as pos
sible.
On motion of the Superintendent duplicate
keys to all the school rooms were ordered to be
procured, and the Com mittee on School Houses
and furniture was authorized to furnish ad-
dltional black boards for Washington School.
The Superintendent then laid before the
Board the statement showing the overcrowdng
of the schools, which we published in conuec.
ton with the proceedings Of last Friday night,
and said that action on the subject was mpera-
lively necessary.
Mr.. Suowden, (Mr. S. +. Beach 10 the
chair said that be had visited Hallowel School,
at the request Of the principal, aud fouod the
lower division crowded with children, some of
whom he felt sure were not over three years of
age, and who could scarcely talk They had,
apparently, been Instructed to say they were
seven, and had been scot to school to get them
out of the way at home. The law did not per-
nit us to reject children over five, but it was
great position on the community to have such
young children to take care Of, and be was 10
favor OF employing any young girls who could
keep them out of mischief, and putting them
IN large rooms to be amused and kept quiet.
The Superintendent said that though he did
not think there were any children under five in
the white schools, the presence of.those under
seven Was what crowded them, aud he cordially
coucurred with Mr.. Snowdcn in thinking it
folly, aud worse than folly, to attempt the iu-
structlon OF such children in the ordinary
branches.
Ga motion of Mr. Mckenzie the Superiu-
tendent was authorized to employ Carrie NJ.
Nolen, au author.z i substitute, to take charge
OF the small colorcd children OF both sexes, at a
salary Of $50 month.
Mr. j. 5. Beach moved that the Board elect
another teacher for white children; it was evi
deut that these schools were becoming over.
crowded with proper subjects Of instruction, land
40 experienced teacher was necessary.
Mr. Mckeozie said that he understood the
Superintendent, last Friday night to propose
new mixed school of little boys and girls in
one of the stores in the Peabody building.
The Superintendent replied that be did 80
at that time, but that more than hundred
permits were still OUT, over forty having been
granted last Monday, and that it was evident
that the rush would continue beyond the power
OF the Board to provide for it. When people
paid their taxesthey demanded the admission of
their children, and it would not do to refuse if
We could, IN any way, accommodation. He,
therefore, now thought Mr.. Soowden's plan
preferable to his.
Mr.. Hopkins moved, as a substitute for Mr..
Beach's motion, that the Superintendent en-
ploy substitute teacher to take charge of the
smallest white children, male and female.
Mr.. Mckenzie called for the ayes and noes
on the substitute, and it was adopted by the
following vote, viz:
Ayes: Messrs. Addison, S. F. Beach, Hop
kins K:mper, Neale aud Snowdeu-6
Noes: Messrs. j. s. Beach, Mckenzie and
Whittinglon-3
The motion, as amended by the substitute,
was then carried, and a salary not exceeding
$50 month was ordered to be paid the per
500 appointed.
MIR. Kenper, from the Committee on School
houses aud Furniture, (by unanimous consent),
presented the bill of S. Cuvillier for work at
Washington schoolhouse, $l2, which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance and Ac.
counts; also, bill Of T. L Monroe, for BAL
auce of S73 90 painting the LIE building, with
40 order Of q: W. Bryant, Secretary of Trus-
tees Of that building, for its payment out of
the rent due December lst which Was ordered
to be paid