The Evening critic., 1884-12-09

AS far as THE CRITIC reporters could ascer-
tain It to-day there is an almost unanimous
feeling among citizens and authorities in
favor OF tho proposition to establish free night
schools.
Mr.. d. II. Warner, tho late president OF the
Board OF School Trustees, was found at his
ofllce this morning and asked for his views
upon this important subject, on, which he is
well qualified to speak.
shave always appreciated tho necessity for
free nightschools," was his reply TO an In.
terrogation, land will be very glad to SEQ the
movement In that direction prove successful
"Tho necessity is not so great here as It 10 in
large manufacturing cities, where larger
numbers OF children are employed during tho
day, but there are sunlcient number OF chill
dren unable to attend dayschool and who
could and would attend ovensug classes 10
make II highly important that the opportunity
should be afforded them.
'As to tho method OF organizing this move.
ment, should think beginning should be
made on email scale. Two night.schools
ehould be establlshed In centrally located pub
'Tho number OF classes could DO Increased
10 meet the demand"
Another prominent local educator said:
"Tho demand for free nightschools is very
great, and is by no means confined to tho
lower grades. Perhaps the most good which
would DO accomplished would be among
youths and young mon who have concluded
their schooling nnd become dependent upon
their own exertions for q living, and who ap-
preciate tho disadvantage which they suffer
from insufficient knowledge, even OF the eie-
mentary branches.
~ have been conversant with the night.
schools OF other cities and have found them TO
be fully as useful rs the day.schools, although
dealing with very different classes OF pupils.
0ln come citios tho lowest grade night
schools have majority OF adult pupils. Ser
wants, laborers and others, who have grown
up without knowing how to write their own
names, and have never had time TO learn by
daylight, seize the opportunity nfrorded by
free evening classes and prove very earnest
and progressive students
"While II Is necessary to make a beginning
ON small scale, hope to see the day when
Washington cltys free night-schools will az.
the education neglected all his life, the child
10 gain the knowledge otherwise shut out OF
his life In the workshop or store, aud for the
youth to pursue the studies abandoned for the
busy, active struggle with the world.
"That tho poorer children and the buster
adults should be givon the same chances to
learn rs tho children who can attend day
schools, is aself-evidont proposition"
missioner West this afternoon for his views on
tho bill introduced by Representative FolIett,
OF the District Committee, to authorize the
District authorities TO start night schools UNI
der the same management as the present pub
"of course wo think favorably OF IT," he re.
piled; 81 don't know OF any law preventing the
establishment OF nightschools.
what duty devolves on the School Board,
however. Very possibly they may have con.
ally alluded TO II TO some OF the board within
tho past year, but the very large increase OF
day pupils has occasioned many demands.
"The plan is practicable, however, and we
Shall be glad TO welcome Mr.. Follett's aid In
that as we'll as other fields. He Is q most valu.
able friend OF the District"