Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-28


THE NIGHT SCHOOL PROJECT.
The Matter Considered ut a Conference
With the school Board.
EIGHT HUNDRED NAMES TAKEN OF PEoLE WHO
DESIRE TO ATTEND-A COMMITTEE APPOINTED
TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTIoN-THE SCHOOL.
BOARD TO SUPPLY RooMs-AN APPEAL. TO BE
MADE TO CONGRESS.
The meeting Of the board of school trustees
last night was given up to conference with
Mrs. Dr. Talbert, Mrs. Dr. Gregory and Mrs. DIR
Hood, ladies of the committee who. a few
months ago, petittoned the school board to take
some steps towards establishing a night school.
The ladies were accompanied before the board
by Judge Macarthur and Dr. Gregory, civil
service commissioner. DIR. Purvis, who, as o
member Oh the committee on teachers, had al
ready mad an Interview with the ladies. stated
what had been done up to this time In COM
pliance with their petition he said the board
had opened registers at the Franklin and Sum-
ner school buildings for the names of those who
desired 70 attend such schools. About 500 had
3OO At the franklin building, making 800 in
all. The board, he suggested, could provide
sGhool rooms, light and heat, but not teachers.
lie thought their first step was to look over the
register and ascertain where the schools should
be located. number of teachers he said, had
knew persons now employed in the depart
ments and elsewhere who had had experience
as teachers her, and were willing to volunteer.
Mrs. 1alOert suggested that they couldn't have
stronger argument in favor Of night schools
than the SOU names registered.
COMMITTEES SUGGESTED.
President LOvejoy suggested that there should
be joint committee, consisting of ladies and
members OF the board, to have charge of the
matter. He thought the first important ques-
zion TO consider was the securing of good teach
ers, as teachers make their schools. There were
a great Tn many benevolent persons willing to
teach, but they might not accomplish the OBJ
ject in view The schools would compose both
sexes and all ages. Many adults had registered.
questions and they would need, he thought, the
very best talent they could get He though bit there
would be little trouble about the location of the
schools. The committee would have to con-
sider also the questions of text books and dis
cpline. He thought the next step then would
be to secure, if possible, q library Tor the pupils
He believed, he said, he expressed the feeling
OF all the members OF the board when he said
tn at they had welcomed the suggestion.
Mr.. Brooks, while expressing his deep interest
in the movement, suggested some legal difficult
ties The law established the legal school age
and appropriated money to teach the children
of school age. He thought no expenditure
could be made out of such appropriation tor
persons beyond the school age.
Mrs. Talbert said she thought such persons
were entitled to the benefit Of the money as
we'll as younger persons.
Mr.: Smith said that if the board could not
nish accommodations. The schools organized
would, however, have to be conducted under
the direction and rules of the board.
Mrs. Hood said the ladies would prefer that
they should be under the direction OF the board,
Dr. Purvis suggested that it they established
such schools and they were well attended they
would baV" something: tangible to show to Con-
gress when asking for an az preparation.
Mrs. Ialbert suggested that normal school
pupils might find field of practice in these
Mr.. Brooks said that the normal school pupils
taught now in practice schools under obServa-
non: The board could not require them to
teach in these schools. Whatever the young
ladies did would have to be purely voluntary
ON their part.
SUPERINTENDENT PowELL's VIEWS
Superintendent Powell Stated that he be-
lieved The establishment OF night schools was
perfectly practicable, as such schools had been
managed successfully. 1t was desirable, ii the
schools were established. that they should ina
under solne definite control, else they would
fiuctuate ana run ont. They would prove
worthless unless managed with care and de-
cision. He suggested tEat a good many who
school. Fourteen, he thought, should be the
limit.
What would you do with the newDoyss"
"a great many newsboys, who sell evening
papers, do go to our schools now,' said MIR.
"Mr. Powell reiterated that in his opinion no
pupils under IL or ii years of age ought to be
admitted. By admitting young children they
idea, which was taking too many from the
schools, now at a very early age. and putting
them to work. The schools, he thought, should
be graded in part. He suggested that unless
they were very careful the volunteer teachers
would not do very well. He spoke also OF a
matter OF expense, which had not been consid-
cred, and that was the expense of fitting school
rooms with gas fixtures, and paying janitOrs for
their extra labor.
Mrs. Talbert remarked that the sessions each
evening would not be long, as they would ha ve
to be arranged to accommodate hard working
people.
JUDGE MAC ARTHuR's EARLY EXPERIENCE
Judge Macarthur having been asked for his
views, SAID the public school system was SO ad-
vanced in the advantages and opportunities it
offers to the young of the city that the necessity
for night schools was not SO apparent as it was
when he was boy.
81 remember very WE'LL" he said, "that IL
was at an evening school that 1 first received
my mental impulse, and attribute very much
of whatever have accomplished in life to the
instruction received at an evening school /
attended at the age Of thirteen or fourteen
years 1t inspired me with ambition. From
sively, studying when / had an opportunity
and finally acquired such an education as was
able to master: attribute pretty much all the
Indictment, the incentive to the impulse re.
ceived in an evening school. 1 presume there
are many boys in 2 city as large as this much
in the same condition found myself in, able
and willing to avail themselves of an evening
school If opportunity is given Them
Judge Macarthur suggested that they would
ton by private contributions.
After discussing the night schools in Boston,
New York and Providence, DIR. Purvis sug-
gested that the board had better call for volun-
teer teachers.
When speaking Of the shortness OF the funds
of the board, which prevented their devoting
any money to night schools, Mrs. Talbert asked
If the board or Commissioners could not Dor
row money?
DR.. Purvis said the credit of the board was
very poor.
Mrs. Talbert thought it was shameful thing
when no money could be obtained for such
schools at the capital of the nation.
DIR. Gregory observed that they could not ex-
pect great result from hight schools sustained
by purely volunteer force.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
President Lovejoy appointed Trustees Purvis,
Clark and Smith as o committee to consult and
cooperate with the ladies' committee, OF which
Mrs. Darion r. James is chairman. 1t was de-
cided that this committee should request the
report the amount the board should recommend
to Congress TO appropriate TO carry on the
schools, and also how many schools should be
established Meanwhile, the ladies' committee
will endcavor to provide teachers, SO that the
schools may soon be opened. register will be
opened at the Franklin building for the names
OF persons willing to volunteer their services "a
desiring to attend the schools will still remain
open at the Franklin and sumner buildings.
Transfers Of Real Estate.
Deeds in fee have been filed a. follows: James
e; Waugh e Z. 3. Bryan, pit. g, SO. 372;
SO g. to- Z