National Republican., 1883-04-13
THE coLonrn SCHOOLS.
Gratifying Showing OF their Present Com
dItion--A High school Needed.

The public schools of Washington, both as
to beautiful school buildings and systematic
instructions, are equal to any in the country,
and are deserving of the confidence reposed in
their management by the parents of the 30
600 children daily in attendance. This con-
dition of affairs has not been brought about
without labor and patience, and intelligent
supervision; and without disparagement to
others who have contributed toward the good
work, it must be admitted that Supt j. Or
mand Wilson has, in his nearly twenty years
experience, done for the white schools of the
Districts of Columbia a service that cannot be
obliterated or measured except by that stand
ard of excellence attained by the schools dur
ing tho period of his superintondency.
The colored schools, as the following ex-
hibit for the month of March will show, are
likewise in excellent condition which in
like manner Is largely attributable TO the in
telligont supervision of Superintendent Cook,
who has been actively identified with that
branch of our public school system for nearly
fifteen years, and who takes u just pride in
promoting their interests. The March report
is as follows: Whole number of pupils on-
rolled, 1lO3; average number Of pupils en-
rolled, 6,S65 average number in daily at
tendance, 6,5D3 per cent of attendance, $50;
number of teachers employed, lat; number
of cases of hardness, 207; number Of cases of
This exhibit, by way of comparison, shows
a marked improvement in the main essen
tials relating to school life, and Justly places
the cOlored schools of Washington side by
side with the best This is the more crafty
ing when it is understood that the work is
done by the colored men and women, as it
fairly demonstrates that the colored children
are susceptible of acquiring and mastering
the problems of school room, and that
colored men are capable as trustees, and
colorcd ladies successful as teachers.
When it is recalled that the first public
school for colored children was started in
Washington in 1869 with ono teacher, and
with less than fifty pupils, their rapid and
wonderful growth is u tribute to the zeal of
the colored people for knowledge, and n mon
ument TO the untiring efforts of those en-
gagged in promoting that interest. Prom
inent among whom are Trustees johnson,
Wormley, and Brooks, the two former being
almost pioneers in the work, while the latter,
although entering later upon the duties has
proved himself a valuable officer. The
pupils, although educated separately from
the whites, have the same school facili-
ties, and pursue the same course of
provided with the same conveniences, except
as relates to the high school, the present
quarters of the colored high school in Miner
building being contracted, and without any
of the facilities provided for in the other
high scool. This disadvantage will, however,
be remedied next year, as we understand that
assurance has been given that the pupils at
tending the colored high school will be pro-
vided with building containing equal ad-
vantages as the one erected for white chill
dren. This, when accomplished, will put the
white and colorcd schools of Washington on
equal footing from the first grade to the
normal school, inclusive-just as 1t should be.