National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-12
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
a Proposition to Teach Trades to
Colored Boys.
Industrial Education to be Considered-Sta-
tisttcs of the Schools for the Month of
January--Changes In Leadership
"A Committee Appointed to
Devise Measures for Es-
tablishing a Library.
Meeting of the School Trustees.

Meeting of the School Trustees.
Tho Board of School Trustees met last night.
In the absence of President Curtis Mr.. Farley
was chosen to preside Mr.. Brooks acting as
secretary. The report of the superintendent
for tho month Of January was submitted,
showing the whole number of pupils enrolled
to be- White, 1874; colored, 1888; total,
210lo. Average number Of pupils in daily
attendance: White, 12,020 colored, 6,703;
total 1872. Number of teachers employed:
White schools, $50; colored schools 1i2; total,
402. Number of cases of tardiness: White
schools, nc; colored schools, 751 total, 2,527
Number of cases of corporal punishment :
White schools, "a coored schools 90; total,
102. Number of pupils dismissed: White, ID !;
colored, 8; total, -.
Applications for positions as teachers were
received from William Jcnkinson, Charles Tay-
Tor, John NJ. Fox, and +. w. Turner.
A communication was read from Superin-
tendent Cook, of tho coored schools reporting
that the semi.annual examinations in the col
ored schools begun January were completed
yesterday, and the results were most satisfac-
tory. Six thousand and ffty.seven pupils
were examined. Superintendent Wilson asked
leave, which was granted, to have the report of
the examinations in the white schools printed
in the minutes, as it was not quite ready.
Mr.. Smith, from the subboard of the seventh
division. presented the resignation of Miss
Emma " Brown, to take effect on the 10Th in
slant, and n recommendation that leave of alb
sonce be granted to Miss Fannie r. Bradford
on account of sickness. The resignation was
accepted and the leave granted.
Upon motion of Mr. Brooks a vote of thanks
was returned to Miss Brown for her long,
faithful, aud efficient service.
The committee on accounts reported bills
| approved amounting to S3,0lG.G5.
Mr.. White, from the committee on buildings
| and repairs, reported that it was inexpedent
| either to rent or purchase the building belong
ing to the Sisters of the Convent of Visitation,
at the corner of Tenth and G streets. Adopted.
The committee on teachers reported recon-
mending the appointment Of William j. Sim
mons TO be acting teacher of school No. %
grades Nos. l to g, sixth division, vice
John G. Male, and that John c. Male be pro-
NOTED to school No &c. grades Nos. tc
s, in sixth division, vice Henry p. Mont
gomery, resigned to accept the principalshir
of the John +. Cook schools, seventh division
Confirmed.
Mr.. Matthews reported that primary
| schoo! had been established in the Industrial
School at Georgetown, rs requested by tho
managers of that institution.
The committee on janitors recommended thu
appointment of William III. Beckett ms janitoi
of the Franklin building. Confirmed.
| INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
! Mr.. Farley offered the following:
| Whereas there are some 5000 enrolled colored
pupils attending school in this District nearly all OF
whom show an nptneSs i'll acquiring good com
| mOn-school education and
Whereas II is observed by the members of thi'
board that the coored youth of this District, ane
| graduating from our public schools, have neither
| the means nor the qualification 10 engage IN me
chanic empoyments or business pursuits: There
Rc,Ored, That this board recognizes the proprlety
| and necessity of the establishment in this District
OF an industrial schools for boys, wherein shall be
taught the simple and useful trades to boys ut from
fourteen to eighteen years of age having physical
fitness, and in accordance with the principles anC
aJ e HS That U s Bnard reEnoct
fully recommends this object to the favorable con
sideraton Of the honorable District Commissioners
Mr.. Lloyd moved that the resolution b,
amended SO as to strike out the reference t
cOlored children, aud to embrace in its cfiec
both white and colored. Without considering
the amendment Offered the resolution wa
referred to the committee on teachers.
Mr.. Davis offered q resolution providing TO
a committee of seven to devise measures for TIL
establishment of u public school library il
connection with the public school system
Adopted.
THE LATE GEORGE ]. ABBOTT
The following resolution, presented through
the chairman by Superintendent Wilson, wa
adopted:
Rcso'rea, That the Board of Trustees of the Pull
lie Schools of the District of Columbia has learnc
with deep regret of the death of Mr.. George j. Al
bott who was for many years member of th
board and for some time its secretary aud to who's
wise foresight and untirng efforts the preent pull
lie school system is largely indebted for Its estat
Hshmcnt; that we sincerely Sympathize with hi
} family in their bereavement, and that copy {
these resolutions be furnished them by the secrC
taTy OF this board.
Mr. Wilson made a few eulogistic remarks
commenting upon the important services rem
dered to the public school system of this Dis
s trct by Mr.. Abbott. He read also from a
. old record kept by Mr.. Abbott the proceeding
Q of the first meeting of the sub board of tn
t first district upon the organization of the pul
0 lie school system under act of Congress divid
' ing the District into four school divisions i
1874 At that time the first division had br
one school building and one school.
Mr.. S. York AtLee, the only surviving co
/ league of Mr. Abbott, being present. was invi
! ed to speak and delivered n short and int
. esting address concerning Mr., Abbotts conne
ton with the schools.
+ Mr.. Davis offered resolution requestir
q that the District Commissioners be requisite
4 to enter into an agreement with William Wit
p hait for the rental of a new building to
erected at the corner of Third and b stree
: southeast, containing two rooms, at an annn
rental not exceeding 5000 per year for eaC
room. Adopted.
= Mr.. Smith offered resolution recommen,
ing the renting of n building from Mr.. Samu
q T.. Middleton, corner of First and Pearse stree
northwest, to accommodate the children no
attending the school rooms on Third, betwet
/ | i and New York avenue, corner Fourth Al
H. and in the Second Baptist Church, on Thir
between II and l streets northw est, which a
in such diapidated condition rs to be un
for occupancy aud dangerous to health.
: fened to the committee on buildings and l
= pairs.
n The chair appointed tho following as t
:. library committee Messrs. Davis, Sampso
q Lloyd, Lambert, Matthews, Holland, a
II Smith.
I The board then adjourned.
Captain Hobinson's Lecture.
The lecture of Captain +. b. Robinson ID