Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-07-01

the whole. we look back ON the past
with honest pride and pleasant recollec-
tions. We shall meet the future with
courage and confidence. Again, in the
name Of those who follow, | present you
our hearty greeting.
PROGRAMME.
Mrsto.
Salutatory ..................... Nellie Weston
Tides in Human affairs. ......... Charles p. Bagg
A Great Question .........-....... Jessie Yarnvll
Costume ...-......--....R Rudolph c. Hensch
Books. Observation-Disclosures. Chrstiane J. Mueller
MUSIC.
''The old Order Changes. .... Ben f. Coulter
Great and small. ............ Margaret l.. taig
Wendell Phillips. ........--.. .Geoege j. Philbn
MUSIC.
The Times OF Chaucer. ........... Eva By ram
Thomas Jefferson ............... John Il. fTick
superstition. .....................Al Alike Z Fitch
Class History... .......................Gu Guy o. Rose
EVENING SESSION.
After Music the President of the
Board, Mr.. +. A. Gibson. delivered the
following address:
The exercises of this evening close the
school year-a year of hard work for
teachers, Superintendent and Board of
Education The results of this work
have been, in the main, satisfac.ory-
highly satisfactory, if we take into con-
sideration the unfavorable conditions un-
der which much of it has been performed.
We of this city have, for the past two or
three years, been congratulating our
selves upon tbs immigration to this sec
ton. and failing to provide for the edu-
cation of the immigrants children. In
consequence, our schools are crowded
far beyond proper limit, and even then
fail to accommodate all those who apply
for admission Such state OF affairs is
no credit to our city, but the Board of
Education is poweriess in the premises.
Under the acts OF the Legislature by
which this Board derives its existence
and powers, it has, like Boards of Trus-
tees of school districts, the management
and control of the public schools, the
employment and discharge of teachers,
the disbursement of school funds and
other powers and duties. Like Boards
of Trustees, our City Board receives
from the State and the countyan amount
OF money which is considered sufficient
to provide for the ordinary expenses of
the schools. But in one very important
particular the similarity ceases. In case
the State and county funds prove in
sufficient or new buildings are requii ed,
Boards of Trustees can, by complying
with certain prescribed methods, have
taxes levied or bonds issued for building
and other purposes. The Board OF Edu-
cation has no such powers. 1t is charged
with the responsibility of providing
school facilities corresponding to city
of this character, but for the necessary
money we are left entirely dependent
(apart from the State aud county fundsl
upon the Council OF this city. No senool
lots can be purchased or buildings erect
ed unless the necessary money has been
provided by the Council. In other
words, the matter Of raising money,
whether by special tax or by issuance of
bonds, ,@is, in any school district in this
county outside of the city, left in the
hands of the Board of Trustees and the
electors OF the district; in the city it is
entrusted entirely TO the Council. While
we have expressed great deal OF pride
in the rapid growth and improvement of
our city during the past three years, |
wish to consider a few figures taken from
official sources, and thea ask yourselves
whether we have any reason to deem
ourselves enterprising in the matter Of
public education:
During the three years ending to-day
the school districts of this county outside
of the city have raised by special tax
and the issuance of bonds the sum of
$50, ,554.S6. Steps have also been taken
by five of the said districts to issue bonds
for $4,000 more; making. altogether,
$l03, ,554. Sc. During the same period
there has been turned into the Common
School Fund of this city, on account of
city taxes, Sl7, ,S06.05, and from the
general fund, S6400-a total of S24,-
2o6 05. To fully appreciate these figures
it should be remembered that the city
has about half as many school children
as the remainder of the county, and
almost an eqnal amount OF taxable prop
erty. OF course this comparison would
not be discreditable to the city if the
schools had been and were now properly
provided for. But such is not the case
As | have already stated, the school
rooms have been badly overcrowded.
Now as to our needs for the present
there are belonging to the department
buildings already occupied. containing
thirtytve rooms, the new building on
Spring street, which we hope to have
ready for occupancy by September lst,
and contains twelve rooms. Under ar
rangement with the Beard Of Trustees of
the State Normal School, three classes
are accommodated i'll the training school
connected with that Institution. Oar
I total space, aside from rooms which we
may OF may not he able to lease, is fifty
rooms. Judging from the best available
data we feel assured that at the opening
L-ssss- -~.-.r---...s.a,.aru,.sn .sn,s,,. os,-.e.0
/ OF the next school year aat ieast JJrJsts
children will apply for admission. Ex-
perience has amply shown that fifty
scholars 10 q teacher is the highest aver
age which should be allowed in schools
like ours. Fifty rooms will therefore
provide for $500 scholars. BY resorting
to the expedient OF double sessions, we
may be able so accommodate 800 more,
or $500 in all. What is to become of the
other 500? This is question demanding
serious consideration and one which
comes home to every parent whose chill
dren are in the public schools. OF course,
We have foreseen this for some time, 1t
is needless for me to detail the remedies
which have been considered, some of
which we have been compelled too reluc.
family to abandon and some of which are
still under consideration. / have called
your attention to these facts for two
reasons: One is that we desire that you
should appreciate our situation, not
blame vs. for ineonyeniepces and hard.
ships from which we may be utterly un-
able to relieve you, The other
and more important reason is
this; At recent meeting OF the
City Council, upon representations
mada in person by members of our Board,
a motion was unanimously carried de-
claripg it to be the sense Of tho Council
that the rate Of taxation for school pur.
poses for the fiscal year lsS4-5 should
be fixed at the full limit allowed by the
city charter. viz: twenty cents upon
each 500 OF taxable property. We be-
lieye that declaration was made in good
faith. We know, alss, thai ethey lntar-
ests will demand consideration at the
same time and that a strong opposition
will be made to high rate Of taxation,
Copncilmen are human agd DESTROYS of
pleasing constituents, We ask you to
use your efforts in every way to insure
proper attention TO educational matters
In fixing the next tax levy. Even this
will give us no immediate relief; but it
will help us in four or five months and
will be Q good precedent for future
years,
The financial stress to which | have
alluded has added to the usual opposi-
ton TO our High School, That ipstitu-
ton has for years been . credit to our'
city. II has, been woll managed aud
many of our citizens have by it been
enabled to prepare themselves for active
life. Its annual expenses are trine
over $4,000. To discontinue it on the
score OF economy would certainly be a
grave mintake.
Ina reyiea Of our ppblic schools |
would be guilty of a grave omission in
not expressing onr obligation to the
IL.