Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-11-27

AA0 CI:EiinatsOn IL reading, spelling, gram
!"r sd geography, while not entirely salls!ac.
srr5: ":s yet Aidor the circumstances, very
Che rccm in wIiiCi: the school is held is very
good Cl!n Tor tho summer, but unit for use in
veTy cod weather. and tho trustees arc unwill-
ing 20 have the children suffer, and have init.
mated their intention Of closing the school dur.
ing very cold weather if an effort is not made By
tho patrons to render 1t more comfortable by
repairs, &c.
The furniture belongs to the building and it
"a also :cry inferior End hardly fit for school
purposes.
Jelorfon School, No. l, colcrsd, in Jefferson
district, taught by Mr. J: johnson, colored, was
the next examined. This school has upon its
rol! thirty. lvo scholars of both eeaes, Of whom
but twenty-five were present. Reading writing,
arithmetic, spelling. geography and grammar
arc the studies pursued, and in their exsmna.
ton tho scholars showed familiarity with them
that could be only impaired by much caro- and
iA6ar. The larger pupils were not present. they
beng required st home TO work. 1t ia very un-
fortunate in any school that necessity requires
any Of The pupils 10 no absent. 1hsro is ono
feature in this school not found in the others
the pupils ar0 taught muaic without trespassing
upon tho school time. They sang several pieces,
and the performance WAS good and the music
mclodlous This school is situated nesr the
crossing Of the Columbia turnpike with the old
Georgetown road, and was erected by Mr.. Ohm
i. Johnston, who intends relurnishing it with
modern furniture, which it go much needs as
the moro attractive school houses arc made the
moiO nrzlous children arc TO meoL for improve.
mont
Cur eighth vis! wss msdo to Ruflner school.
Ne. in Jefferson district, taught by Mr.. Frank
a. Eytrly. This school hss on lis roll forty
seven scholars, from six to sixteen years of ago.
lilo teacher seems 10 tako deep interest in tho
advancement Of those placed undor bis care, and
from Tho examination through which they pass.
ell i: Was clearly shown tia. his labor has not
been los. n 8 thorough examination in rasd.
ing, spelling, grammar, arithmetic, geography,
writing, and United States history the scholars
showed conlmondablo proficiency.
Tho pupils. particularly the young ladies,
showed tlm!dty and hashiulness &. our frst ap.
poArance, but the embarrassment soon wore OF,
and Wo became as familiar as playmaLes, and the
aGsGors were as prompt aud correct as we we'll
could with.
Mr.. Byoriy Is gentleman OF good attain
ments, knows tho wants OF those undor bis
charge, and can impnrt such knowledge IS will
best lii them for the various walks of life.
Tho school is taught in q very noat and CON.
modlous house built for tho purpose by MIR.
John Sister one of tho trustees for this district.
with The understanding. as Wa learn, that tho
county can ct eny time havo it at its cost value
Tor school purposes. Where can you find great
or Interest in tho public schools than shown by
Mr.. S?
Cur visit 10 all the schools OF tina county was
concluded by tho examination of Scott, No 3,
cclored, Miss Mary d. Lano teacher. The names
OF LOFTY sevon pupils wore on the roll, with forty
IN St!endarco, ,EAkng an excellent personal ap-
poarsnce, which would have done credit to mnny
white yrGOOls.
hiss l'snB is IL toAchor of moro than ordinary
experiences Snd Intelligence. carrying her pupils
through Tho various studios with tho case OF a
Fctnraa.
his examination Of her school lasted two
hours, AID WIS very satisfactory in all tho
Branches pursued, showing Il proficiency that
could not hnvo been attaiaud hut through great
ciinrL upon tho mar. OF the teacher.
/ no schHol Is k3pt in lGrsa and comfortable
house, also built by MIR. John Slstcr, with tho
Fhlo Inducements offered tho county for its pur.
,ueau M III The other case for us0 As u plIb;ic
school.
"m"rn gratifying resnlLs Of tho working Of
or pntl'c aciinnia,as shown in thunb1yo review
could b. doairai Ivy tho most enthusiastic NJ
mirnr. Ard Ia whose Crotll. docs such results
belong?
First, TO tho willing taxpayer, who permits
annually Il ls& equal TO one-fourth tf All the
taxes upon his roal and personal pronerty levied
lor Tho support Of tho school, and TO that portion
derived iroEi th" interest on tho State Literary
RUM, eschcstSh lands, fines. otc from tho State.
Secondly. The county Superintendent Of
Schools who orSanizod and put tho schools in
s.icu successful operation, and who willingly has
gwen teachers and trustees tho benefit of his
Sroat cHpn!lonco NJ teacher in all tho various
questions That hSvo arisen in tho administration
OF LEO dntles Imposed upon them by the school
law RI" bong st7ict conetructionist of tho
law hSs never permitted violation in any ono
particular.
Ills quarterly vsits to tho schools tho loschers
and pupils look forward to with pleasure, "a
some kitd word OF encouragement is suro to fall
Trird, 70 tho corps of teschors for tho vorv
efficient mid given tho school trus.oes in cyecn.
ling mo school laws, as furnished thom with
pram Dtncs5 and impsrtiality. and by insLilling
INTO the MINDS OF those under their charge tho
necessary or close application to their studies
and obedience TO tho school rules.
In the reports of tho several schools tbe1o sro
tho namos Of three hundred and thirty pupils !:
tHo hundred and forLy-nine AFRO colored, tho
most Of whom are children Of parents brought
here by tho ex!goncios of the war, numbering
near hlteeA hundred mon and women, scattered
throughout tho county, many abandoned by
tho Government and left TO DO cared for bv our
people. who had already become so much re.
Guced IN circumstances through the fortunes of
War; therefore 1t was with much difficulty thew
could provide Tor their own households: but
WITH lndomi.aoe energy thoy havo retrieved tho
loss anu porIo willingly tho burdens of the
oaefous school and poor tax caused by their
coming among us. Nearly eloven-iwelfthg Of
tie taxes raised fer tho poor arc for their SIM.
port. p
Can nothing be dono TO relieve the citizens of
tais county from Tho oncrous and unjust taxa
IioH tHey are forced to pay, caused by the gem
oral Governmen having located among them
Class Of people without any means of support
many OF them sgod and inirm men aud women
unable TO labor could they find work to do.
Never hsfo peon'o Dorno more willingly and
made greater sacrifices to deal justly with all The
ciIi2ans IN g,vIng them all equal advantages.
would that some of our traducers would
c 2mG among uF, look snd examine our schools
Tor themselves, and say whether or not our peo.
pie havo not shown commendable generosity.
Yours especially,
&. L. ADAMS.
AItXN.dria county.