Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-11-24
CITY SCHOOL BOARD.

A called meeting of the Board was held
last night. Present: Superintendent arne
and Messrs. r. l.. carne, Fendall, Marbury,
Mankin, and Strauss.
Messrs. Thomas l.eadbeater of Gusts
District and Charles f. Stuart, of Hallowell
District, reelected by the City Council trus-
tees of public schools for three years from
the LIST of November last, took and sub
scribed to the oath Of Office and the anti
duelIing oath before the City Superntend.
ent and filed the same with him aud then
took their seats az members OF the Board,
the latter resumimiug his place as chair
man.
The minutes having been read, Mr.. Mar
bury, from the Committee on Finance and
Accounts, reported the bills of VIM. +. Vim
cent for repairs III the Peabody and Wash
ington buildings, $2S Is; George w. Bryant,
repairs at Lee building, $G6.9S; and +. NJ.
Weadon, keys, &c., of Lee building, 81,
correct, and they were ordered TO he paid.
He, also, reported that the building offered
for sale by Mcssrs. Green and Wise would
not suit for Il school house aud that it was
iueXpcdent TO purchase il, which report
was unanimously adopted.
schools on Thursday and Friday next.
Mr. X. l.. Carne strongly opposed the mo
ton. The people Of Virginia had a family
festival which they and their ancestors had
long kepl-lhe festival of Christmas. The
settlers of New England, whose religious
principles forbade them 10 celebrate That
day, had instituted an annual Thanksgiving.
SO far. all was we'll: but their descendants,
in this, rs in other matters, had urged their
views upon the whole country, and had, at
last succeeded in getting the President to
issue national thanksgiving proclamation.
The Governor of Nirg mia had not, this year,
followed his example, or he might nave telt
bound to let the schools aCcede TO his re-
quest and, though from past experience. he
supposed he would be outvoteI, he wished
to 90 on the record against having this in
novatiou upon old custums thrust down our
threats. Very few people would keep
Thanksgiving in Alexandria; why, then DIS
miss the schools?
Judge Stuart said be fully concurred with
Mr.. Carne The Christmas holiday was
enough
MIR. Strauss was in favorot giving holiday.
He thought there was this year. very great
occasion for thanksgiving. Mr.. K. l.. Carue:
The Governor seems 10 think not.
Judge Stuart thought the teachers should
not ask for extra holidays. Other people
work ed six days in week: they but five,
and only five hours then.
Superintendent Carne said he was glad OF
an opportunity to answer that objection.
Few of the teachers haC. less than six hours
work and some worked until after dark Tor
he had had complaints that children were
detained until that long. Judge stuart:
Still they work less time than or most
other business or professional men. Besides
their work requires such close attention that
five hours of it is more eXhauStiug than
much more in other business.
Mr.. Lcadbeater would vote for holiday on
Thanksg giving Day, because 1t was customary
and the private schools gave ii Mr.. K. Il.
tarne: There you're mistaken; but saw
no use in holiday on Friday. He moved to
strike out that day, which motion was car
ried unanimously.
Mr.. X. l.. Carue replied to Superintendent
Carnes remarks, saying that the people OF
Alexandria did not suspend business on
THANKSGIVING Day and the School Board
should not force Il holiday. There might he
some persons who wished to have their
children at home he had not 4 word to say
against their right TO do so; it was fully
provided for by the new bylaws in refer
ence to days kept as religious festivals by
persons Of any religious denomination. All
they would have to do would be to write a
note to the teacher, and the child would not
lose its standing in school by absence. He
was sure that not more than five per cent.
of the pupils would present such notes I'M
less urged to get them by teachers. Should
he go down the street on Thursday, he
would find all the stores open, and among
them he thought, that of his friend from the
Second ward. Mr.. Strauss If any of my
EMPLOYEES want holiday, they shall have it. }
The resolution, as amended was carried,
AYES Messrs Fendall, Lcadbeater, Man
kin, Marbury and Strauss, ..
Noes: Messrs. Il. L. Carne and Stuart, >.
On motion of Supt. Carne, the Christmas
holiday was fixed as follows From the
close of the afternoon session of Dec. Dist. to
a. m. of January I'd.
On his further motion, the Board ordered
the remission of the penalty for absence to
certain teachers recently sick, and the or
ganization Of Il new unyraded school on the
LIST of December, the election OF teacher
being postponed until the regular meeting
A communication from Geo. W. Nightin-
gill giving estimates for repairs TO brlckworE
at Lee building, was received aud laid on
the table
Mr.. Leadbeater moved to reconsider the
motion to give holiday on Friday, the Goth
and to lay the motion for reconsideration
on the table. He hoped trustees would not
do as they did last year. refuse the holiday
collectively, and then individually sign q
request to the Superintendent to give it.