Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-13
THE mAssIE SCHOOL.
The sketch of Its History.

We present herewith the closing portion
Of the sketch of the history of the Massle
School, which was commenced in yester-
days issue, and which, we are informed,
was perused with more than general interest:
In 1868 the city appropriated towards the
support Of the school, $500, and in 1869
$4,000.
The system Of public education had now
become an accomplished fact, and had now
for itself and the gentlemen who had la
bored so assiduously for it the full conf
dence Of the community. Private schools
In the city had almost disappeared. There
remained the Catholic schools to be cared
for, and to be blended, If possible,
into the general plan, which was
working so advantageously to the young
people Of Savannah. To this end a CORE
spondence was entered upon in the early
spring of 1869 between the Roman Catholic
Bishop of Savannah, representing the
Catholic Free School Association, and the
Mayor and Aldermen of the city In refer
ence to the disposal Of the educational fund,
the discussion extending itself through
weary aud proftless controversy OF more
than twelve months without results, until
at last referred to the Board of Education
for adjustment. A committee from this
body was appointed on the 9th of May, 1870,
to meet the representatives OF the Catholic
Church with reference to the terms under
which the Catholic schools in Savannah
might be placed under the Board OF Educa-
ton. At conference held at the Bishops
residence, on the 10th of May, between
Messrs. Henry Williams, E. G. Anderson,
and John ScreYen on the part Of the Educa-
tional Board, and the Rev. VIM. John
Hamilton and Father G. G. Prendergast re-
presenting the Catholic interest, the whole
matter was speedily and satisfactorily
arranged and the schools soon afterwards
passed under the control of the Board of
Education. An interesting account OF this
conference, and the correspondence which
preceded 1t, may be found among the school
records In the Chatham Academy. Up to
the present time the arrangement has
worked in perfect harmony, and with de-
cided advantage to all parties concerned.
In consideration OF the increased number Of
pupils to be provided for under the above
organization, Council appropriated 81 ,357
toward the general educational fund. The
number of enrolled scholars during the year
was 1,754, Of whom 669 were in the Catholic
schools.
In compliance with an application from
the Board of Public Education, the Trustees
of the Chatham Academy consented on the
4th of June, 1870, to execute lease OF their
premises for one year, commencing from
the expiration of the then existing lease or
contracts for rents to other parties, and
thereafter from year to year, subject to dis
solution on the usual notice by either party,
at the rate of one dollar per annum, payable
in advance, upon condition that the Board
of Education shall use the property so leased
to them solely and exclusively for purposes
properly connected with the objects and du-
ties of said board.
Under this arrangement the School Board
obtained the gratuitous use for educational
purposes of fifteen large rooms, besides the
Superintendent's Office and comfortable
apartments for the janitor. The building
has subsequently, been put in complete
order, the school rooms repaired or beauu-
fed, and the entire structure in its exterior
newly rooted and painted through the
liberality of the trustees. In the interval
of ten years which have passed since the
transfer was perfected, there has been an
average attendance of five hundred and
eighty-two pupils, receiving the benefits OF
enlighted instruction within the walls of
the Chatham Academy.
The subject of establishing schools for
colored children had long occupied the
thoughts of the members of the Board OF
Education. A petition dated June 20, 1872,
and signed by VIM Campbell, Alexander
Harris, William Pollard and other leading
colored citiz ems, was sent to the City Coun-
ell, asking that some provision should be
made for the instruction of the large num-
Der of colored children in the city of Sa-
vannah. This petition was referred by
Council to the School Board, who promptly
held consultation with the parties making
the appeal, and appointed committee of
colored men to confer with the authorities
of the American Missionary Association, OF
New York, and ascertain upon what terms
the building known as the Beach Institute
could be had. 1t was learned that the
building could not be obtained eX-
cept on condition that the association
should be allowed 10 APP ONT all the
teachers. The board declined o recognize
this requirement. After Vafi' as efforts to
secure proper building, it was finally de-
cided to rent the Rectory of st. Stephens
Church, and it was here that the joint col
ored school was organized In December,
1872. At a subsequent period the Beach
Institute was rented without the obiectiona-
BILE conditions first imposed, and was used
as a school until its destruction by fire.
On account of the large number of sppli-
cants for admission into the colored school,
it was found necessary to secure additional
accommodation, and in November, 1873,
the building now known as the West Broad
Street School was rented and put in opera
ton. This building accommodates four
hundred children. 1t was subsequently
purchased by Mr.. G. w. j. DeRenne and
presented to the board, to be used exclu-
sively for the education of colored children.
After the destruction by fire of the Beach
Institute, the house and grounds known
as the Fairlawn property, were rented and
converted into school. These two build
ings (the Fairlawn and West Broad STREET.,
are now In operation, and have nine hun
dred and forty enrolled pupils. In addition
to these colored schools in the city there
have been established in the county by the
Board Of Education fourteen colored
schools, and seven schools for white chill
dren. The following exhibit, taken from
the report of Mr.. VIM. II. Baker, Superin-
tendent, will be of interest. 1t is made up
for the year ending June Both, 1880, the
same being the fifteenth annual report OF
the school system for the city aud county:
STATISTICS.
Children of school age in county
Colored. '.....'........... 1000