Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-08
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Friday evening the city schools closed,
and the exercises during the past week have
been very interesting. The examinations at
the various schools have been rigid, thorough
and impartial and our citizens are united in
expressing the opinion that nowhere in the
south can be found more perfect echool sys-
tenn than that in successful operation in
Memphis. Last summer, when the death of
the superintendent, James L. Leath, was
announced, it was known the public schools
had sustained great loss, and many feared
an irrepsrable blow. After the yellow-fever
disappeared the board of education
commenced casting about for a
superin tendent to succeed the lamented
Lsath. With singular unanimity the board
united on Prof. VIM. H. Foute. His eff
Gciency and success has fully justified the
wisdom Of the selection, and shows that the
confidence of the board of education has not
been misplaced for Mr.. Foute has proved
that he is the worthy successor of prede-
cessor whose popularity was as great as his
success was conspicuous. So soon as Mr..
Foute was elected superintendent he promptly
uPOA lAC AloNsAftl fO VI AAAo OAtASS'
The yelow-fe fever left everything in confu-
sion, and to bring order out of chaos re-
CURED great administrative abilities. TIE
school buildings had been occupied as yellow
fever hospitals, and the first duty was to fu-
migate and place them in order. The SEES
sion opened on the ninth of December, two
and half months after the usual time. On
the day of opening only forty pupils were
present In the high schools, and about foul
hundred and fifty IN the graded schools.
After the Christmas holidays the num-
Der had increased to about two
thousand, and the estimated num-
Der In attendance at the close of the ses-
SION on Friday last was three thousand two
hundred and fifty. The average per cent. Of
attendance for the year was about 9l15, the
Der cent. of attendance Tor 1877-S being 81
and for 1867, 891s, showing an increase ii
the regularity of attendance during the pas
year. Some slight changes in the graded
school course of study was made. The WORK
of the session has, however, been necessarily
much more arduous than usual The exami
nations extending from Friday, May Both. t.
Friday, June Oh, were very difficult, anC
rendered more SO by reason of the fact tina
the schools have had no regular examination
since January, 1878. The results. which vii
be filed in the superintendent office in few
days, have been satisfactory. Cousiderins
Che fact that the opening of the schools wa
so long postponed, and that the session wa
only six instead of eight months
we understand that the average com
pares most favorably with former years
rejecting the highest honors upon superin
tendent and teachers. showing that both are
faithfully performing their duties. If the
city schools have been so prosperous during
the last short session of only SIX months
when they commenced under such unfavor
able circ lnstances, they will be eminently
successful commencing Wits the next session
We congratulate the peoris of Memphis OF
their public schools. They have indeed beer
fortunate in securing the services of Prof
Foute as superintendent. The exercises dur.
ing the past week demonstrate that ne pos
sesses the attainments, the wisdom, the judg
ment and the facility for organizing the pub
lie schools, and in impartin7 knowledge anc
for making model superintendent. He hai
more than sustained public expectation. Hi
short but successful career inspires the belle
that by the close of the next session he vii
perfect, vitalize and invigorate our schoo
system. We regret TO learn that his health
has been impaired by his arduous labors, bu
it is hoped after the short recreation to which
he is entitled, he will spring up like a shaded
flower.