Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-08

CITY SCHOOL BOARD.

A called meeting of the Board was held
last night. Present: VIM. F. Carne, esq.
Superintendent of Schools, and Messrs r
L. Came, Fendall, Herbert, Mankin, Mar
bury, Smith, Strauss and Vincent, Trustees
In the absence of the chairman, Mr.
Fendall was elected chairman pro tenn, and
the Superintendent stated that he had call
ed the meeting to receive the report of the
special committee on the proposed ne"
school house
Mr.. r. l.. Carne, after stating that death
in The family of one of his colleagues and
business engagements on the part of another
had required him to act alone, presented
two drawings made by Mr.. B. F. Price OF
ground plans, and recommended the build
in. Of the central section, which he said, on
the authority of Mr.. Price, could be erected
III Il cast not To exceed 81 800. Mr.. Price
wo,id furnish the rest of the plan and the
specifications free and take his chance OF
being The low est bidder.
Mr.. Vincent objected 10 the plan in sew
cral particulars, especially as to what he
considered the darkness of the cloak rooms.
He thought the Board would appear ex-
tremely inconsistent i'll having refused to
buy the Friends meeting house, with its
fine lot, and then building house smaller
and no better, and costing as much money.
If a house was to be built, he preferred
building duplicate of the Amidon build
ing, in Washington, without the costly sew
erage and heating arrangements, and fin
i>hing four rooms at present.
Mr.. Strauss advocated the adoption of
Mr. Prices plan as more within the means
Of the Board.
Mr. Marbury advocated more mature
consideration. Where was the money to
come from to do all this building?
Superintendent Carne replied that the
Board had been saving up for number of
years, and would have Sc, 600 available. He
did not believe q suitable four-roomed house
could he erected for 81 500 and moved to
direct the Committee on Schoolhouses, with
the chairman and clerk, to contract for one
at a cost not exceeding 81 800.
Mr.. Il. L.. Carne said he could not vote to
give power to any committee to build any
thing but a plain, substantial house, and
Mr.. Price was willing to contract to build
one for less than 81 500. He moved to sub
stitute $1,000 for 81 500; that would allow
the ceilings to be raised to twelve feet, as
Col. Smith had suggested
Col. Smith wanted all the modern I'M
cent in favoring the erection of building
like the Amidon, and, on his suggestion, the
Superintendent modified his resolutions to
read as follows:
Resolved. That the special committee on a new
school house in connection with the Supcrintcnd-
cnt Of Schools and Clerk Of this Board be empow-
cred and directed to contract for the erection OF
school house on the general plan of the Amdon
School Building in Washington, on the at the
southeast corner of Wolfe and Washington streets
ut present expenditure not to exceed 81 300
Resolved, That the same committee do contract
fer the remodellng of the Howell house, so as TO
provide school room in the first and one i'll
the second stories thereof.
Mr. Il. j.. Carne said that he did not see
how the plan Of an eight-roomed house
could be carried out in a twelve, and hoped
he would be excused from service on the
committee, as he would probably be away
for the next three weeks. 1t being suggest
ed that four rooms could be built hereafter
in the rear, he said that would require the
demolition Of the Howell house, the origi
nal Washington school building, erected in
part under the supervision of Gen. Wash
ington himself 10 that he would never
agree, nor did he think the people Of Alex.
andra would allow it. The resolutions
were then carried without division.
The Superintendent then, by unanimous
consent, laid before the Board propositions
for repairing the interior Of the Lee build
ing, aud the Committee on Schoolhouses
was authorized to have the work done at
the lowest price offered for good work.
On motion of the Superintendent the
clerk was directed to advertise for proposals
for furnishing coal for the coming winter.
The Board then adjourned.