Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-12
THE mAssIE SCHOOL.


.
We are indebted for the following inter-
estiEg facts connected with the history Of
Massie School to distinguished citizen,
noted for his interest In educational mat
tiers. We present it IN two parts, giving the
second in our issue tomorrow, and feel
assured it will be read with much interest;
The Massie School building was erected
from the proceeds of fund, the charitable
requests of an old Scotchman, for educa-
tional purposes. Originally 5000, it ac-
cumulated by judicious investment, until
1t reached the sum of $15,073 ID, and for
years was borne on the books of the City
Treasurer under the head of resources
The bequest of S., 600 was paid over to the
city in 1S49. In compliance with an appli-
cation made by Messrs. Anthony Porter, John
Stoddard and others, School Commissioners
for the county of Chatham, the City Coun-
Gil OF Savannah, by resolution OF the 9th OF
April, 1855, ordered that 50, COO of the above
fund should be expended in the erection OF
building, to be known as the "Massie
School House" The work was commenced
in December following, and to meet the cost
of construction there were sold and turned
over to Mr.. Stoddard, the Treasurer of the
Commissioners, the proceeds of twenty-one
shares of Central Railroad stock (S2, 248 50),
two thousand shares of Savannah Gas Light
stock, amounting to S., 1877 s., $l,292 %
accumulated dividends on the above, and
one coupon of q Southwestern Railroad
bond for $35. There remained In the custody
of the city 1873 shares of Savannah Gas Light
stock, and one bond of the Southwestern
Railroad, which balance was also transferred
to the School Commits sioners. by resolution
of Council, for educational and other pur-
poses connected with the erection and
equipment of the Massie School House,
making the total amount paid over to Mr..
Stoddard ,073 Is.
The edifce was completed on the 1st of
October, 1856, and the school organized on
the 18th of the same month, opening with
about $50 pupils in attendance. The num-
Der soon thereafter increased to 225-45 of
whom paid a tuition fee, and the rest in
attendance without charge. The building
to be presided over by 8 teachers, the whole
system to be under the control and manage
ment of the School Commissioners hereto
fore cited.
Two years later, in 1858, the Massie
School was placed under the entire man
agement of the city authorities, with a
Board OF Commissioners, consisting OF the
Mayor, four Aldermen and four citizens,
instead Of three School Commissioners, as
entirely exhausted in the erection and equip
ment OF the school house, and the School
Commissioners in debt, the City Council
on the oath of December, 1857, appro-
priated So 600 per annum for the future
support of the school, and author
lied the Mayor to pay the out
standing bills, amounting to 81 ,25S 80.
The further sum OF S3,A7 % was, paid
for teachers salaries, stationery and sun
dries. The scholastic year of the Massie
School closed on the Both of July, 1858,
with an average number of pupils dur
ing the year Of 270. Under the third
rule adopted under the new organization
for the government of the board,
DIR. Richard D. Arnold, Thomas NJ. Turner,
Mayor, and Edward G. Anderson were
appointed visiting committee ito super
wise the school generally, and to visit it
when each or all may think necessary. At
a meeting of the School Commissioners,
held on the 9th Of August, the following
teachers were elected for the year; Princi-
pal, Bernard Msllon; Senior Department,
Mrs. Charlotte L. Wilson, Miss g. f.
Thompson; Junior Department, Miss G. L.
Butler, Mrs. V. j. Brown, Miss Selma j.
Jones.
In 1859 the city appropriated for the sup
port of the Massie School S. 300 90. Amount
received from paying scholars, 1863, to be
deducted from the above.
In 1860 the appropriation to Massie School,
81, 385 So, less 1884 50, received from pay
scholars.
Ia 1861 the appropriation to Massie
School, $4,6l3 81, less $405, received from
pay scholars. L. appears that $500 40 WAS
appropriated IN aid OF Primary School,"
an institution separate and distinct from
the Massie School.
In 1862 81 ,099 A were appropriated to
Massie School, less 50 3 30, received from
tuition fees; also for Primary School
In 1868 81. 1916 So for Massie School, less
$3.50 SO for tuition. Primary School receiv-
ed $5l9 76
Ia lS64-5 the schools seem TO have been
closed by the war.
TIE want of rublic scto -ystem with
a uniformity Of discipline and method hav-
ing lorg been felt In the community, appli-
cation was made in the early part Ct Feb
ruary, 1866, to the State Legislature fer
local act Incorporating a Board Of
Education for the city of SaYsn-
nah. Under this act DR.. + d. Arnold,
John SsoGd8rj, Solomon Cohen, Edward
c. Anderson, John c. Ferrill, John William
son, John L. Villalong1, Henry Williams,
aud Alexander VI. Vim were appointed on
the part of the State, and James B. Read,
SVlVaEus LandTum aud Bernard Mailon,
were chosen under an ordinance of Council
to represent, in connection with the State
Board, the interest of the city Of Savannah
Ia the Massie Common School, the three
last named gentlemen being added as City
members, appointed by the Mayor, in con
sideration OF the cityis interest in the Massie
building and OF the support hitherto APP.
proved bv the Board of Aldermen in the
maintenance of that school, aud the expec-
tation further that the municipal authori-
ties would continue to make an an
nual appropriation, to be paid in
monthly instaliments, in aiding the sys-
TEN of public instruction in Savannah,
which amount, together with the special
tax levied for educational purposes by the
Justices of the Inferior Court, and the fund
from the State or the county Of Chatham, it
was thought would be sufficient to meet the
estimates made for the inception of the
plap under the recent act Of the General AS
semblY. The cost of the system was esti-
mated at Sl4, 0G0 for the year. Every prepa-
ration was made to render the project a
thorough one, and, under the aid looked for
from the city, it was proposed to make the
schools free of tuition. The contribution
from the Board of Aldermen for the year
ries of teachers, 81 ,237 so: books and sppar-
atus, $500; furniture, repairs aud insurance,
$527 ~.
In 1867 seven hundred and five pupils
were admitted into the schools, with an av-
erage attendance of five hundred and fifty.
Two hundred applicants were rejected on
account of want of room for their accom-
mediation. The expenses for the year
amounted to $14 CPS, and the estimated cost
of conducting the schools for the following
year was $50, 500. In the looked for income
for '67, the School Commissioners expected
to receive four thousand dollars from the
State. In this they were disappointed, and
it became necessary in order to continue the
schools to the end Of the scholastic term to
impose a small tuition charge upon the
children. This was accordingly done
during the months of April, May and June,
and the sum OF 50 $50 realized therefrom
from the pupils in attendance. There was
still deficiency at the end Of the year of
81, 600 to pay the salaries of teachers, and
application was made to the City Council
for relief which, under a resolution of the
10th of July, was advanced as loan, to be
refunded from the first money which should
come into the hands of the Board Of Educa.
ton. The appropriation proper made by
Council for the year was 81 500.
Concluded TO mOrrOo.
The Harnett House.