Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-24
ANNIVERSARY.
LARGE CELEBRATION BY THE GRAMMAR
SCH .oL DEPARTMENT.
The Close of Ten Years superintendent
by Professor A. q. McDonald-A
Pleasant Affair.

| Professor a. ID. McDOnalus 1Tlnci palsnlp OF
that institution The exercises took place in the
assembly room of the Grammar School build
ing, which was filed to its utmost capacity,
and upon the platform and throughout the
audience were seen many of the leading edu-
cational men of the State. members of the
Legislature, and large attendance of prom
inent citizens Of Sacramento. The exercises
were opened with prayer by Rev. II. I'll.
Rice, after which the programme, consisting
of the following parts, was carried out ::
Anniversary Song, by the school; declama-
ton, Charles Flye; recitation. Mile Par
sons Battle Of IVY" (McCauley); recitation,
| Emma Lovedal "Wholl Save the Left 2
piano solo, Daisy Siddons, Bonnie Doom, F"
with variations defamation, bennle Plant,
1.-The Cumberland, Nongfellowl; recita-
ton, Kitty Hughes IAN Order for q Pic
tire" Alice Carey); defamation. Hiram
Johnson. "The Ride of Collins Graves =
song by the school, 'Our Way Across the
Mountains.
The songs were accompanied with piano
by Miss McMenomy, teacher in the Gram
mar School The faultless manner in which
the several parts OF the entire programme
was rendered was creditable III the highest
! degree both to scholars and teachers, and re-
! hected strongest Endorsement upon the eff
! cheney and management OF the Grammar
| School Department.
! J. T. Grifftts, President of the City Board
of Education, at this point, upon request,
| assumed the Chairmanship
Professor Mcdonald stated that as this
was the tenth anniversary of his taking
charge of the City Grammar School, it is
proper that be should make some remarks
about the events connected with the school
covered by that period, and said
About twenty years ago, the earnesesolicitation
OF friends, took up my former business in the
East-that OF schoOl-teaching-in a small mining
town in Placer county. About that time the Sacra-
mento schools looming up IN importance, and
my ambition was stimulated to become Principal OF
the Sacramento Grammar School. During the ten
years preceding 1870 | taught in four different
schools, still having the same object in view. By
referring to the minutes OF the Board OF Education
find that January 90 1870 two applications be-
ing before the Board, received for my present po-
sitiOn the unanimous support OF the eight School
Directors then holding office, my referees being our
present worthy President }. T. Grittitts and Mr.. W.
Ii. Mills Upon assuming the duties of Principal,
on January n, 1870 | resolved that, if possible,
would make myself a necessity to the position
How succeeded is not for me TO say. Ten Of the
bss years OF my life have been devoted to perform
the duties then conferred upon me- As whole
received the generous support Of the teachers
ciated with me, as well as OF the members of the
Board and City Superintendents during that time.
At the date OF taking charge OF the school the FOL
lowing teachers were the Grammar School Assist
ants Mary J. Watson, Laura s. Templeton, Mary
E. Hall, Mrs, Z. A Southworth, Mrs. L. II. Wells,
Miss Wall and Sarah J. Weir. OF these Miss Wat
son alone has remained continuously as one of the
Assistants Miss Weir, another Of the Assistants,
has had charge of some OF the lower classes during
the time.
mar School are: NJ. J. Watson, Vice Principal
Annie c. Weeks, First Grade; Sue V. Heard, Jen-
ME Burke, Jennie McMenomy, Second Grade; Ad
die H Wells, Grace E. Kid Clara l.. Orth, Helen
R. Waldron, Third Grade S j. Weir, Mrs H.
Deuel. and Mrs. NJ. Mchener, Fourth Grade; Pro-
fessor f. kemer, Teacher OF German. These teach
ers have taught in our school the following length
OF time continuously, viz. One taught 10 years,
two 81 years. three 81 years. four q years, two u
years and one half a year. more earnest, perse
vering pains taking corps Of teachers 1t is difficult
to find. Number If teachers associated with me at
different times during these ten years are 81, sub
stitutes 5, total 81. Many OF these have quit the
profession, Others teaching in different parts Of
| California, Nevada and elsewhere. Three teachers
| passed away in death, viz: Mrs. NJ. L. STah Mrs.
! A. ). Jaycoax and Professor A. II. Unger. Several
OF former pupils are teachers in both the gram
! mar and primary schools Of this city and county.
| The number of our former pupils who are or who
have been actively engaged i'll teaching is ll3 There
have been certificates to teach granted to 30 others
who have not taught, so far as we know. Total
pupils receiving certificates are l4I. The number
enrolled in the first grade for ten years are 99i.
large per cent OF these did not remain long enough
to graduate, but received more or less first grade in
struction.
The names of the School Directors who honored
me with unanimous election are henry Miller,
David s. Ross, b. b. Redding, Daniel Brown Dr. J.
F. Montgomery, j. +. brennan, F. 4. Gibbs and J.
W. Avery. Since that time We have had thirty-twO
different persons elected making a total Of forty
gentlemen who have acted members OF the Board
of Education since 1870. OF these three respected
and influential members have died, viz: George
Rowland, - Nelson and Henry Miller. There
l,at-o ftr-G arla viz
| Ii. Hill, Hon. S. C. DensOn A. C. HinksOn, Esq,
and f. L. LaDdes, Esq. You will pardon me ii
| refer to few of the more important points that
| have occurred since, with which | more or less
connected. Shortly after being elected found that
the old Franklin building was not well adapted for
school purposes, and was not sufficient to hold all
the grammar classes. Two classes were established
III the Jefferson building Sixteenth and n, aud the
succeeding year two more classes were established in
! the Washington building, Thirteenth aud e. In
concert with others began to urge on members the
| necessity Of building new Grammar School. The
proposition found favor with the City Superintend
ent, ). c. benson and several members OF the
Board Finally committee consisting OF c. II.
! Cummings, J. F. brennan, y. D. Goodel and myself
| were appointed to 20 to San Francisco and Oakland
to select a model for suitable building. We went,
and decided upon the Oakland High School being
the best suited.i The Board Of Education, after I'M
proving and eIilargIng the plan somewhat unani-
mously adopted the report and determined to begin
the building at once. Upon G. II. Cummings
Chairman of the Building Committee devolved the
principal labor and oversight in erecting this beau
tiful building in which We are assembled to-day.
He entered upon the duties with the perseverance
and energy characteristic Of him. The following
year tine hold-oyer members were ably assisted by
the new members-Messrs Rowland, Tracy and
Felter-n bringing the building a successful com
petion. The charge that NJ Tracy, as President of
the Board, gave TO the first grade pupils, viz :
"To You is intfusted the of this building while
you occupy it graduating class has been re-
peated to every succeeding class, and generally
scientiously concurred in.
In - or 70, at the request of many young per
sons who could not attend The day-schOo, | made
application the Board to establish public nj. ht-
school After the subject had been scussed for
several evenings, it was decided that if twenty-five
persons would apply for such teaching cl.ss would
be formed. Undoubtedly Superintendent benson
remembers the number who met in the Franklin
building upon the night advertised for those who
desired 10 attend to present themselves. Some $50
persons were present. The school was organized by
myself, and three assistants were furnished by the
Board. II entered upon its popularity and useful
ness at once, and has been taught every fall aud
winter since then. 1t has proved AZ the greatest
importance to many persons, who otherwise would
have been deprived of obtaining the elements OF an
education.
Some two or three years after taking charge Of the
school it found necessary % revise and simplify
the course of study. A committee, consisting OF J.
l. elter, Judge S e. benson, Prof f. P. Howe and
myself, were appointed to perform the work. We
spared neither time nor pains g select the best
possible course OF study also rules and regulations
ceived the appreciation of the Board.
The examinations fer promotions were all oral,
and the pupil having the most sepossesson usually
succeeded in being promoted with the greatest
honor, whether possessed Of merit not. After
some effort, l succeeded in introducing partial
written examination which, taken with the oral
animation, gave equal advantages to all pupils
But shortly afterwards the Board adopted the rule
that all promotions should be by written eX-
aminations only. 1t finally ascertained that
promotions by written examinations exclusively
were as much of an extreme as when only oral ex-
aminations were used. So the last Board selected a
wise and happy medium. by determining that here
after promotions will be made by king into con-
sideration both the annual written examinations
aud the yearly standing of the pupil in the class.
During my connection with the Sacramento Gram
mar School | was determined TO sustain the we'll
merted reputation of our schools, but to do the
greatest good to the greatest number, and deprive
no pupil vciously inclined, of the greatest ben
enfit drived from the public free schools.
In conclusion, desire TO tender my sincere thanks
TO each member Of the ten respective Boards, who
elected me each year to my present position. Also
each of the four Superintendents for their coun
sal he teachers who