The daily gazette., 1879-03-11
The School board.

REGULAR MERTING-THE COMMENCE
MENT sTIoN-THIs YEARS
CLASSES CAN GRADUATE IN THE
OPERA HoUsE-oTHER INTE RESTING
QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.
The Board of Education met last even
ing, President Eckel in the chair.
The Finance Committee reported
school taxes in tie hands of the City
treasurer amounting to S533.36, for which
an order was directed 10 be DIRE wn.
The committee to revise and change
the rules Of the Board was. on motion OF
Col. Grimshaw, continued until the first
meeting in May.
Mr.. Speakman's ame ndment to the
bylaws requiring the High School com
meDcement exercises to be held In school
No. instead of the Grand Opera House,
was next opened
Mr.. Speakman opened the discussion
In lengthy Argument in favor OF The
changes. He objected to the show and
pageantry of an Opera House com
mencement as being productive Of trem-
bling on the part of the scholars, instead
of tending to make them strong, steady
and reliable. He further objected on
the ground that 1t distracted the atten-
ton OF the scholars for weeks previous
to the exercises, and prevented them
from properly following their legitimate
studies. Even now, he said, the boys
had employed an eocutionist to teach
them how to deliver their orations. Mr..
Speakman also objected to Opera House
commandments on account OF the ini-
quitous system of present making they
had fostered. The children of well-to-do
parents were loaded with presents, while
| the poorer children were mortified at re-
ceiving few or none. Such things, Mr..
Speaknan thought, would bring dis
credit upon the school.
Col. Heisler thought it would be unjust
to this years classes to prevent them
from graduating in the Opera House, but
he was in favor of holding all subsequent
cOmmenCemeuts IN the schools.
Mr.. Baird favored holding the COM
mencements 10 the Opera House, as it
gave the public chance to come and
observe the practical workings of the
schools. This they could not do at the
| school houses. He thought the objection
to the "ftlss and feather" feature OF the
Opera House commsements was just
as applicable 10 the schools, as the schol-
ars would dress finely, and presents be
made just the same.
Mr.. Lobdell favored the public CON-
mencement exercises. They were GUS
| tomary with nearly all the institutions
| of learning, and he never knew any evil
| effects to result from them.
Mr.. Belts thought it was a subject in
which the desires of the graduates should
be respected. II they wanted to 60 to
the Opera House, let them 90 there.
Since the commandments had been held
In the Opera House more interest had
been taken in the schools by the parents.
Col. Grfmshaw held that the COM
mencement exercises did not show the
standing of the scholars, but only indi-
Gated that they had stood out for GER
| tain time and passed an examination.
The girls who graduate have to pass a
further examination before they are per-
mitted to teach. Then, what does their
graduation mean?
The speaker opposed the holding OF
commandments In the Grand Opera
House, and said the educators in the
country have come to the conclusi on that
these public exhioitions are vi
| cious. In support of this assertion he
| read an .xJract from a paper by Prof.
Samuel Thurbor, Principal of the Wor-
cester, Mass, High School, in which
public commencement exercises were
strongly condemned.
Col Grimshaw said he would prefer to
have the Opera House rented for two
| weeks, and bring the pupils from the pri-
mary schools for examination exercises.
All the people Interested could then have
| chance to see what the schools are do
ing.
After some further discussion MT.
Speakman desired to have his amend
ment laid over until after the next COM
mencement exercises, but finally de-
cisive vote was taken, and the amend
mend lost, as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Grimshaw, Lally, P al
mer, Pyle, Ruth, Speakman, Smith and
President Eckel--S
Nays-Messrs. Baird, Belts, Fnrry,
Grubb, II. r., Heisler, Kent, Lobdell,
Morrow, Poole and Simpson-10.
Absent-M essrs. Davidson and L. T.
! Grubb.
The resignation of iss Ella F. Floyd,
Assistant Principal Of No. IL, to take
| effect after March IA, was read and ac-
copied
The Finance Committee reported that
| the accounts of the late Treasurer, VIM.
| III. Cloward, had been examined and
| found correct. The report was accepted
and the committee directed to cancel the
late Treasurer's bonds.
Col Beisler complained that according
| to the appropriation cards No. 10 COM
nittee had overdrawn their repair ac-
count s105.60. He thought there was
| some mistake.
| On Mr. Speaknan's motion, the COM
| mittce was authorized to investigate the
matter.
| Various school repairs were ordered.
| Dlr. MOTTOW SJACeu Ulldb vi lSS CTdWIOTu,
who rented part of old school No. 13,
on West Second street, near Washing
to- at $50 per year, desired the rent re-
duced to $40, as her school was very
small. On Mr.. Morrow's motion the re-
du ction was made.
Mr.. Baird complained that though the
ashes at No. school had been set out on
the side ewalk they had not been removed
by the contractor.
Col. Grimshaw said ashes had been
taken from No. school, but the ashes
that had accumulated in the cellars all
winter would not be removed by the ash
men. He suggested that possibly No. l
janitor had placed out too many barrels
| at one time.
The Board then proceeded to discuss a
resolution offered by Mr.. Belts, requir-
ing tho Superintendent to notify the
teachers that they must discontinue the
practice of not allowing scholars to go
out when their necessities require and
of furnishing children when they are per-
mitted to 80 go out, by keeping them in
after school hours.
The resolution caused considerable
discussion, and the action of some teach
ers in disregarding not only the rules of
the Board but the health of the children,
was sharply criticised.
Mr.. Ruth said his boy, while suffering
from cough, was placed out in hall
| hv 70 hia aouUh