The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-21
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
The Condition and Management Of the Schools In
Pennsylvania.

The annual report of Professor E. E. Higbee,
Superintendent of the Soldiers Orphans School
system of Pennsylvania, embraces the usual
tabular statement, giving the statistics ofthe sys-
TEN and the reports of the Inspectors and Super
rintendents of the schools. On May 81, lSS6,
therewere 2,272 orphans in the schools and
homes, and of these $50 were admitted during the
previous year. There were on file OH June l. 1856,
1912 applications. The number of orphans adj
mitted since the system went into operation is
1918. The cost of the system for the past year
was 1928, 7A9.07. During the year IL children
died. 0fthe children in the schools 1927 be-
long to class one, where the father is dead, and
9i5 belong to class two, where the father is liy-
ing, but permanently disabled by wounds or
disease contracted in the army.
Following the statistics come the reports of
Mrs. L. E. Hutter and Rev. John w. Sayers,
the former inspectors of the schools. Mrs. Hut
ter says that she regularly visited the schools
four times year, and TO many of the schools
her visits were more frequent. In all of the
schools proper attention is paid to moral
and religious training mot sectarian), and she
quotes at length from her reports of 1869 and
1870 in support of her assertion concerning re-
ligious training. The educational advantages,
she says, enjoyed by the pupils in these schools
are above those afforded in the average schools
of like grade. AS to the food, Mrs. Hutter
found it good, plain, substantial, and we'll
cooked, but she does not refer to the fact that
the bills at the Mt. Joy School showed that the
average cost for food per day per pupil was less
than five cents. She says that the beds and
bedding are clean and the boys and girls are
all dressed comfortably.
The lnspectresS says that in making her in
spections she found that all of the children re-
ceived all the clothing they were entitled TO,
and that number of the principals gave the
children more than was due them. Referring
III FL, I,I -
are in, Mrs. Hutter says the schools have at no
time had permanent existence, consequently
"the repairs have not been made as substantial
as would have been done otherwise"
Rev. John w. Sayers, the male Inspector, re-
| ports that the health of the schools is remark
| ably good. That disease has been suffered to
spread through the schools as the report of the
| Governor would seem to imply, Mr.. Sayers most
positively disatfirms. Many of the buildings
are without the appliances which contribute to
| the comfort and convenience OF the pupils, and
| are far below the standard of modern require
ments although answering the purpose of their
present temporary use. The clothing is good,
and has nearly always been sufficient. The food
| is plain and good, and no abuse has been dis
covered in this department. In educational
| facilities the schools will compare favorably with
any other of the grade in the country. As a
rule the schools have regular religious exercises,
/ and Mr.. Sayers's confidence in both teachers
aud schools remains unchanged. Referring to
| the expose made last February Mr. Sayers says
During the year prior to the investigation
| there were few complaints of any source. Since
that time they have largely multiplied, TO the
prejudice and injury ofthe schools. believe that
| great harm has been done and usefulness of the
| schools largely impaired. Discipline has been
interfered with, and the proper control of the
] scholars has been rendered very difficult. i am
much surprised at the hasty judgement OF the
| Chief Executive of the commonwealth, founded,
as it has been, more largely upon ex-parte tes-
| timOny than upon careful consideration OF
the evidence from both sides"
The Superintendent of the schools all report
an excellent condition of affairs. Manager Van
Horn, of Chester Spring School, after referring
TO the improvements made at the school, the
good food and clothing, the exemption from
sickness, the industries, and the great improve
ments made in the intellectual instruction
says: I'VE aimed in all our efforts not only Il
awaken and develop the mental faculties, bu
to quicken the conscience, inculcate moral prin
ciples, polite manners and refined converse
| tiOn.p