Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-26

reduction of the.large annual appropriation now
required for the uses of the sinking fund
his appropriation. made to meet the require
ments of debt. which. numbers and resources
considered, is unparalleled in any other civilized
community, and for which the tax-paying citi-
zeIs oil the District are not responsible now
ai'sorfs more than one-third of the entire reve-
nue. OF the District. including the federa contri-
button OF 30 per cent; and it leaves the Com
misSioners without adequate means for the
proper support of education. for the improve
lnent and extension of streets and avenues, and
Tor other Indispensable works with which they
are charged. Congress alone can supply the
deficiency.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Under authority Of the 4th section of act OF
Sd March, 1881, making appropriations for the
government Of the District, the parcels of land
therein described have been sold by the chief of
engineers, United States army and the proceeds
Of the sale. amounting to the sum of 81. 452
have been deposited in the Treasury for the
erection OF a high school building in Washing
ton.
Under authority Of the act of Sd March. 1879.
granting to the District of Columbia for school
purposes square No. 100, known as Holmead's
cemetery. and OF appropriations made i'm pur-
suance of said act the bodies inferred in that
cemetery have been removed TO Rock Creek and
other cemeteries: and this valuable property is
now available for the uses to which it has been
whenever the commissioners Shall be
authorized to dispose of the same
Tie four new school houses mentioned i'm our
last annual report as in course of erection, have
been completed except two rooms i'm one of
the county buidings) at an aggregate cost not
Including sites and furniture. of S>S9. 553 "A.
TIE two located in the second school district
contain twelve rooms each. with an aggregate
capacity for the accommodation Ofabout 800 pu-
pills. and are models of convenience comfort and
the most approved school architecture. One of
them is for cOiored pupils. The two in the
county are plain but convenient and substantial
brick buildings, and viii accommodate about 400
pupils.
The five additional houses. including the high
school. provided for in the appropriation for
schools for the current fiscal year. are progress
in" satisfactorily. and will doubt all be ready
for use at the beginning of the next school year;
thus adding. since 1878. eleven first class build
ings. including a spacious and cOrnmOdiOus edi-
flce for boys high school, to the accOmmOda-
tlons of the public schools of the District of CO.
lumbia. But more are needed.
While this evidence of progress i'm the work of
public education at the capital is subject for
con@ratuatiOn. it is to be lie retted that thus
far 1t seems to have been regarded by Congress
as a matter Of merely local concern and not as a
subject. as it really is. of the highest national
Importance. While MANY millions have been
lavished by the federal legislature to foster edl-
cation in the states and territories. the burden
OF this high duty and responsibility at the ma
tional capital has been thrown upon the scauty
and wholly inadequate resources of the people
OF this District. Is it unreasonable to ask and
expect that the capital of the Union shall re-
ceive from Congress equal consideration with
the states and territories of the Union: and that
its common schools. under federal care and
nurture. shall be made convenient steps to the
yestibule and halls OF great national univer-
sity! This was the wise and patriotic counsel
of Washington. and its value and obligation
have already been acknowledged by the estab-
lishment of National Bureau OF Education.
The wisdom. culture and worth of the Union
may reasonably be supposed to be more fully
represented at its capital than elsewhere; and
the people of the Union therefore will naturally
look to the capital for the highest types of their
institutions. and the most perfect methods OF
National development and progress. 1t is not
possible that the local resources Of the District
OF Columbia can ever meet this popular demand
nor ought it to be expected.
For detailed Information in regard to the
public schools reference is made to the APP
pended report of the board of school trustees
WASHINGTON ASYLUM.
The south wing of the wOrkhouse. which is a
part OF the asylum. has been completed making
the total cost of the building S37. O63. SO. In &
few days the female cOnvicts. now confined in
the almshOuse. will be removed to this wing
and the evil. heretofore the subject of Just com.
plant. OF Keeping offenders against the law in
Many other important improvements, as reported
by the commissioner and intendant of the asy
luin have been accomplished during the past
year: and it is believed that this valuable insti
tuition has never been in condition of eQua
efficiency and usefulness as at present Mucl
more, however. remains to be DONE involving
increased expenditure to meet the increased
demands Tor accommodation and for needed aliC
Indispensable reforms and improvements. We
invite careful attention to the intelligent ant
practical suggestions of the intendant on this
subject. He again recommends the purchase Of
farm for the use of the asylum. and for the
more profitable utilization Of its unskilied labor
ers. IN which the Commissioners heartily concur
INDUSTRIAL HOME SCHOOL.
The new building. for the erection of which
provision was made in the District appropriation
bill for the current fiscal year, is nearly com
pleted. and will he ready for occupancy before
the LIST OF january. During the past year, also
other minor improvements including a cOnser
yatOry. have been added. The new building viii
provide accommodation for about thirty addi
tiOnal inmates. and is intended as an experiment
ct the cottage or family plan of administration
adopted In other similar institutions. The eco
nOInicai management of this home for destitute
and neglected children and youth of both sexes
has enabled its public spirited and self-sacrfc
ing managers. ut very small cost. to dispense
lasting and widespread benefits to the heIples:
and unfortunate. as well as to the public who
Indirectly share the benelicent results of thei
labOrs.
CHARITIES.
We again recommend the establishment of
board of charities, to whose supervision TIN
| management of all charitable. reformatory an,
penal institutions. supported in whole OF il
part by the District OF Columbia as we'll as al
expenditures of public money for the relief O
the poor. may be committed The reasons 70
this recommendation are given at large in on
last annual report, to which attention is inyi
ted. Such boards exist in many of the state
and cities and have. as We are informed. bee.
attended by favorable results.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
The Inspector of Buildings reports that per
miis have been issued during the year for build
ing improvements of the estimated value O
81 95.91O, which embraces the sum of 81 .857. 4Ol
for new brick buildings whose character ant
value fayOrably compare with those of like
structures erected during any preceding year.
The revenue to the District from fees for tbes,
permits was 50 2337.
The Inspector includes i'm his report a state
ment OF the damages to property in the city b,
the storm of June 81. 1881. which amounted il
| the aggregate to $50. 940 and accompanies TIN
| same with a map on which the course and ex
| tent of the storm are Indicated He also give
| much interesting data i'm connection with tn
/ erection Of new sch lOl bu;ldinrS and tho con