Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-04
Non-Rcsidcnfs in III. Public scho,

10 the Edltor OF 1IE EFESISG STAR
In the issue of TIE STAR for SATURDAY. last.
under the caption alexandria Atfairs--School
Board appears, among other things, the sub
joined sentence: The teachers were directed
to dismiss all pupils. non-residents. who have
been placed in the schools by false pretenses. "
VIII you permit NE to inquire through your col
umns whether any similar direction has ever
been issued by the school board of Washington?
That the washington schools contain many pr-
pills who are residents of Washington only dur
ing school hours. and who leave their homes in
Maryland and Virginia in the morning and re-
turn to them at night. is too notorious. and for
years has been SO. to require proof and that
too, whilst many of the children Of actual resi-
dents OF the city and taxpayers. can obtain no
admission. or for only the half OF each day,
owing 10 the Over-croWded condition of tie
rooms Attention to this injustice has been re-
peatedly called through the press and other
wise, but hitherto with apparently not the
slightest effect \ year ago the suboned state
ment appeared in The STAR:
I'VE lave to-day but little more than half as
many seats as there are children of school age
IN the District; and we have about forty half
day schools, because all cannot be provided with
full-day Schools
And, in response to this assertion. another
writer for The STAR makes the pertinent fnGuiry:
III this be true. how does it happen that the
District has seats in its schools for children who
hours and who come from their homes in
neighboring states to school in the morning and
return to their homes and parents at night"
There can surely be no insurinountable diff
Guilty in ascertaining the actual facts in this
matter and providing a remedy. If residence
IN Washington is Indispensable to admission into
Washington schools. and the term residence
has received from the school board no unusual
or accommodating Interpretation. then there
must certainly be "a lie out somewhere;" for
very certanit is, that many non-residents have
been admitted to the schools and are even now
enjoying their advantages to the exclusion. no
doubt, of as many Others "to the manner born. -
Strict constructionists might perhaps claim per-
inanent residence OF parents as essential to ad-
mission OF children; but where there is no pre-
tense OF even temporary, or quasi residence,
even or the children themselves there can be
TO question. Time was when nights lod inc
Immediately preceding election day was deemed
by partisan supervisors as sufficient residence
in precinct for that day ballot no matter where
the voter might lodge every other night in the
year. Possibly the children of MARYLAND and
Virginia in like manner secure a school resi-
dence in Washington. There is double injury
resulting from this deception: the children of
Washington Taxpayers are crowded out of
Washington schools; and the free schools of
the deserted villages in the states, which require
contribution additional to the tax levy in order to
secure frst-class teachers, are deprived of the
money which is paid to railroads to convey
children daily to the already oyercrow ded city
schools. JUSTICE