Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-06-06

CITY SCHOOL BoARD.-A called meeting
WIS held last night. Present: Hon. C. E.
stuart, chairman. w. F. Carne, esq.,, SUI
pcrintendent of Schools, and Messrs. R. T..
t'arne, Fendall, Leadbeater, Mankin, Mar
bury, Smith and Vincent, Trustees.
The Superintendent of Schools stated
that the meeting had been called at his re-
quest, TO determine whether new school
house should be erected on the Howell lot,
and if so, to take the necessary steps for its
erection. He moved that a committee he
appointed to procure plans for house with
fourrooms, Immediately. Col Smith moved,
rs substitute the Use of the plan of the
Ami'lon building, Washington, with the
omission of play rooms, sewerage, &c. Mr..
Il. l.. Carne moved. as substitute, the pur-
chase of the Friends meeting house. He
gave the approximate dimensions of the
lots now held by the Board, and showed
that tweve-roomed o-story house would
necessarily occupy more than half their
area, leaving very insufficient play ground
for six hundred boys. The purchase of the
meeting house, with its fine, shaded lot,
itself could b. converted, at very small
expense, into four commodious school
rooms, whilst the Howell house would
furnish three more, which, with the
old building, would suffice. Then, on this
splendid lot, a building worthy of the city,
could he afterwards erected. Mr.. Vincent
strongly endorsed Mr.. Carnes views as
embodying the cheapest and most available
plan. A new house of four rooms would
cost from $1,000 to 81 400, over three times
the cost of the meeting house, and if the lot
were too small. the boys would play in the
street and annoy the neighbors, which
would not happen if they had fine play
grounds. Col. Smith was Of opinion that
no sale could be made by the Friends with
out an act of assembly authorizing it, and
that then he thought the building would be
found unsuitable and must be torn down
aud rebuilt Judge Stuart said that the
sale matter was provided for by general
law passed by the present Legislature. Mr..
Leadbeater said he had assurances that the
purchase money could remain on interest
ut certain low rate.
Judge Stuart said the vote ought not to
he taken without more notice, and offered
AS substitute the following.
ReSolred, That special committee of three be
appointed by the chair, with authority to forth
with inquire and report to the Board as follows
a. The relative eNpediency of purchasing the
Friends meeting house and improving that, and
the Howell property without building.
CD The proprlety OF building upon the Howell
property without purchasing tho meeting house.
CD The cost with plans of repairing the meet
ing house, and the cost with plains of building
such rooms rs arc now necessary, said plans look
ing to future enlargement, upon the Howell lot.
a. The committee shall have power to draw
for so much money as is necessary to carry ont
this resolution.
Sapt. Carne then withdrew his resolution
and Mr.. r. L. Carne his substitute, the lat
ter saying that he was sure the more ma
turely his plan was considered, the more it
would commend itself to the Board and the
community. Judge Stuart's resolution was
then unanimously adopted, and Messrs r.
L. Carne, Smith, and Vincent were appoint
ed the committee, but Col. Smith declining,
in consequence of expected absence from
town, Mr.. Marbury was substituted for
him.
The Board then adjourned.