Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-11-27

important principles affecting the District,
settled by the courts during his administra-
ton of the Law Department, and cautions
against certain legislation.
Referring 10 the water front of Washing
ton, he recommends legislation to authorize
States, TO anDul a certain patent, issued in
ls69 10 one Kidwell, for a large tract OF the
fats lying north of the Long Bridge, and
Water street front of the Potomac, unlaw-
fully taken by individuals. The right OF the
United States to the waterfront OF that street
he considers indefeasible.
He recommends, also, legislation for the
simplifying OF the system of assessments for
street Improvements, and specifies different
poration of Washington, or under its ordi-
RANGES, and under the late Board OF Public
Works; and suggests various amendments OF
the laws governing the District.
OF the Police Court cases reports ,5G cases
tried from November 10, 1876, to October 81,
1871, in which there We're 3,s25 convictions,
1i9 acquittals. 495 dismissals, 6s suspended,
and 1E appealed 10 the District supreme
Court. The fines imposed amounted to
s24 $50, and s5,S01.ss forfeited collaterals.
The Coroner reports 1S5 deaths certified by
him during the year ending October3 81 ultimo,
against 169 the preceding year, as follows:
Suicides, 6; homicides, 6; infsnticides. IL; ac-
cidents and negligences, 81; diseases, So He
notes the increase of infanticides and deaths
from neglect OF unknown infants, as COM
pared with those of the preceding year, and
the offer OF a reward TO persons furnishing
evidence OF the guilt of the Offenders, to be
expended by the Chief of Police or the Coro-
ner.
The Board of Health estimate their ex-
penses for the coming year at S83, O55, one
half OF which, S2l ,jZI so, to be paid by the
District, and In addition SIS, 900, more or
less, for the garbage service, and 81 200 for
burial of paupers-In all, $50, 055.
The number of youth of school age in the
District, according TO the United States cen
nf =. onl1 a.
total. 81, 81.
The whole number of pupils enrolled in the
Public Schools for the school year ending
June 80, 1877, was 81 ,264. Increase of enroll
ment over last year, 1,635. TIE number OF
teachers employed for the school year was
$50. The number of school rooms owned by
The District is 237. The number rented is %.
The total expenditures for the support of the
Schools forthe school year were $50 9)6.2l.
We invite attention TO the accompanying
report of the Trustees and Superin tsndenis,
and commend their recommendation for an
annual enumeration of the children in the
District, of school age, tOsecure proper dis
tributiOn between the white and colored
schools, of the money furnished for their
support, and other important purposes con-
nected with their interests. We join I'm their
recommendation that school buildings TO be
erected and owned by the District be Substi-
tuIed for rented buildings.
We commend also their recommendation
for an appropriation by Congress of $4,000,
TO enable them to continue the schools until
the regular close of the school year. The
amount which the Commissioners can set
apart for the use of the schools during the
present year from the District treasury
will, unaided by congressional appropria-
ton, compel the closing OF the schools not
later than the LIST of May, about two months
earlier than their regular closing period.
Congress. at its last session, made an appro-
priatiOn of $4,000 for a like purpose.
1t is proper 10 add that, without a material
increase of the revenue OF the District, only
attainable by higher taxes, it is unequal to
the school wants on the existing basis OF their
accommodations; and without liberal con-
gressiOnal relief, the alternative is inevitable,
either 10 shorten the annual school year, not
to exceed eight months, or 10 largely reduce
the number of pupils and teachers. Either
will be calamity. The schools are now iu
excellent condition, and daily growing In the
public favor. The number of pupils is larger
The present than last year, and would doubt
less oe much larger if suitable accom- mOda-
tions could be provided. Every substantial
interest of the District will be promoted in
the success of its public school system and
its enlargement from time TO time to meet
the wants OF its increasing population.
we trust Congress will give its careful
establish a liberal system of annual appro-
pSationS, in aid of the District, tor the sup
port of the schools. The obligation TO do so
Congress has contributed, by loan and other
wise, in money, only S2j3 ,56S51 to the sup
port OF the Public Schools In the District Of
Columbia, while during the six years alone
ending June 80, 1871, there was expended on
account of the Public Schools in the District
an average of 1885, ,651..0 annually, or an
aggregate of So ,3SG ,9lO.23.
in view OF these facts the request of the
Trustees for the payment by the United
States of one half The annual expenses OF the
schools is not unreasonable.
The subject OF District charities aud refor-
mallory Institutions viii be found intelli-
gently treated in the accompanying reports
1st. The Commissioner of the Washington
Asylum.
I'd: The Intendant OF the Washington
Asylum.
Sd. The Visiting Physician of the Wash.
iih. The President and County Almoner of
the Relief Commission.
9Th. The President of the Industrial Home
School.
The Washington Asylum is the chief insti-
tuition In the District for the care of its pau
pers and for the confinement Of minor Often
ders against the laws.
1t embraces, at present, but two depart
ments, the wOrkhouse and the hospital, to
which a third will be added on completion of
the new workhOuse, enabling the authorities
TO separate the prisoners from the mere pau
pers, who, for want of such special prOvis-
ion, have hitherto been huddled together
pTomiscuously.
Asylum and of the Intendant furnish valu-
able history of the institution and q detailed
account OF its present condition and work
We indorse the Commissioners common.
dalton of the management Of the Asylum
which, in its hospital and other departments,
is steadily advancing in Its best features.
With the eniare6c Accommodation now
needed for the sick, the hospital will take
creditable rank as q city hospital
The Presidents OF the Relief Commission
and OF the County Almoners render full ac-
counts of their disbursement of the twenty
thousand dollars appropriated by Congress
for the direct relief of the District poor last
winter.
The President of the Industrial Home
School presents an exhaustive report Of the
purposes and operations Of that excellent in
stitution, accompanying the report with
plans fer much-needed new building, for
the erection of which a Congressional APP
preparation of ten thousand dollars is asked,
as necessary for the development of the
school, and to insure its increased useful
ness.
Whilst referring to these several reports
for the more elaborate discussion of the sub
jects to which they respectively relate, we
commend to the special attention of Con-
gress the suggestion that there be appointed
a Beard OF Charities with supervisory power
over this entire department Of the public
service.
AS illustrating the need for such Board,
we may note few subjects referred to in the