National Republican., 1875-07-14
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ne narp OF Orpneus was not more
charming than the record made by the
youth of Washington in our public schools
during the past year. A faithful and COM
petent superintendent, wide-awake trus-
tees, skillful and devoted teachers, and
ambitious scholars have accomplished re-
suits gratifying to the community at large
and especially grateful to parents and
guardians. The surest foundation of the
nations wealth and prosperity rests upon
education, and every dollar invested. for its
advancement swells the power of perma-
nent capital in offsetting the discounts to
vice and crime which civilization every
where is compelled to make. The closing
examinations OF the year developed one
feature of our school system which we re-
gard as particularly valuable and worthy
of all support and commendation-andt that
is art. 1t is only recently-within two
years-that it has been introduced, and the
specimens of drawing we have seen are
convincing proofs that the time devoted to
learning this art has been most proftably
spent. Children commence with simple
uSulNS, anu luC up W
the complicated designs of the advanced
pupils, they proceed in accordance with a
thorough and well-deined system. In a
single term our Juvenile scholars have
shown their capacity to draw, with free
hand, triangles, curves and various geo.
metric figures, and at the same time to gain
a complete knowledge of the meaning of
geomctTc terms. To the little ones 1t is
not only study but pastime 10 use the
slate in this manner. The useful with the
agreeable is so cunningly intermingled that
It hardly seems like study to them, but
rather diversion. Stepping further along,
it becomes perfectly amazing to see large
classes of boys and girls at the blackboard
drawing from dictation elaborate designs in
perspective and from nature, and in more
than one instance we have been able to
detect the presence Of genius which but for
the teaching of the art in our public schools
might have slept forever. Already the art
begins to be understood and appreciated,
and il will not be long before its
value will be realized in the number
of gifted young people whose talents
and work will be an ornament to the
city. 1t is the study upon which, in years
10 come, fortunes may be built by mechan-
les, architects, engravers, fresco painters
and designers in art. 1t is branch Of study
from which the competent graduating stu
dent can at once enter upon the duty of
earning livelihood. We hope to see ad-
ditional preparations made for teaching the
art during the ensuing scholastic year.
Every facility ought to be at the
disposal Of the trustees for procuring
models, casts, designs in all styles of archi-
lecture, and whatever is needed and desira-
bic TO assist the student. It is demonstrated
that tine teacher employed has ability and
enthusiasm, and she ought to be sustained
in every possible way. 1t is more than
possible that graduates in drawing from our
schools may form here an academy of art
which will be in time famous ornament
of the country and powerful institution
in developing national pride. As good
and healthy as our school-system is,
it is not yet perfect; in fact, it is behind
the now perfected ideas of those who have
il h charge for its advancement, simply for
the lack of means. Parents and taxpayers
are willing to be taxed for the sake of edu-
cation, especially when they can see the
interest on their money coming right back
TO them in the practical endowment of their
SONS and daughters and wards for the great
battle of life.