Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-12-24

vi all the subjects OF general pub
lie interest and which ought ahov,
all others to claim the care and at
tention of our people, the pubIi'
schools should stand first and preem
inent. The subject of free education
is one that is already beginning t.
play an important part in the legis
latiOR of the country and particu
larry is it fraught with the deepes
interest to Tennessee, just begin
ming, as she is, to lay the founda
ton for an extended system
throughout the entire state. Bui
our object in this article is not tC
speak of the public school system in
the abstract, but of the conduct and
workings of our own public schools
in this city, which are now under the
Observation-Disclosures Of Prof. I'll.
/ G. Weber, thoroughly capable
and talented young gentleman
from Nashville, who recently sue
ceeded Prof. Perkins in the charge
OF the schools.
The whole number of pupils who
have baen attending these schools
during the Present month is, white,
28l, colored, 375, making total of
G55 pupils. This is probably the
largest number which has ever been
in attendance at any one time since
the organization of the schools. To
those who have never seen the re-
markabledecipline and smooth ma
chinery like working of these
schools we say go and see for your
selves. You will be welcomeIy re-
ceived and fully repaid for your
trouble.
The system by which the school
is conducted is, we believe, as near
perfect as any school of its MEM
bership and age of its pupils could
brought to. The quiet bearing of
the children while in the large
study halls, and the remarkable
drilling they show in their passage
to and from the recitation rooms
and exits from the building is in
deed marvellous for children of their
age, and gives evidence of untiring
work and patience on the part Of
the teachers. The proficiency of
most of these little ones-we say
little ones for the highest average
age is hardly ten years-ls remarka-
bic and would elicit expressions of
praise and surprise from any one
who has never before visited these
schools.
But the highest evidence of the
great good that these schools are do
ing in our midst, and of the great
zeal and care of the superintendent
and teachers is, perhaps, the remark
able attendance Of the pupils. We
dare say that in no school in the
city is the attendance anywhere as
near half so good, and it IS very
gratifying to the School Board to
know that the number of absentees
are growing less every month.
Prof. Weber informs US that in
the grammar department of the
Howell school for September, the
of tardies was 10; for No
and December zero. No
room in the schools had ever gone |
one month before without some |
tardy. The per cent. of tardies for
the entire school was .05. The
of tardies in the grammar
of the colored school,
which is under the immediate |
charge of Prof. Henry Merry, was
also zero. The per cent. of atten-
lance for the entire schools was
]5.36.
The above is indeed a splendid |
showing and shows that the pupils
take ali interest in the schools and
consequently are learning.
Prof. Weber although quite a
young man has given evidence OF
ine executive ability as superinten-
lent of the schools, and is exerting
every faculty to make them great
Or success in the future, if possible,
han they have ever been before.
He is assisted in his splendid work
Oy corps of as thorough, compe-
.ent, jealous and conscientious
as could be found in any
school in the country. Clarksville's
public schools are an ornament to
her and every citizen should take a
pride in them.