The Washington critic., 1886-04-12

This winter there has been little to inspire
teachers or scholars, the teachers have as
yet received no salary, and the pupils have
had hardly any books or the necessary APP
pliances for the night schools. 1t should
be the duty OF those In charge to make
these schools attractive In various ways.
There should be some singing; drawing
should be taught, also bookkeeping
and stenograpby as well as the common
English branches. The teacher this season
have been taken from the day schools, an
Objectionable feature Of the case, for fresh
teachers are needed for both day and night
schools and where are we going to get
well-trained teachers at $i.50 night as at
presentY
Another important matter that needs
careful amendment is the regulation which
limits the ages Of the pupils from six to
sixteen years Of age. One Of the first sug-
gestions Mr.. Powell made IN the fell was
that no child under fourteen years Of age
should be allowed to attend. Mary Of the
applicants have been over school-age, and
every intelligent person knows that It is
older persons particularly who desire the
benefits Of the night schools Why, again,
is not the report Of Mr.. John +. Cook
given also in regard to the wants Of the
colored people in this connecticut
There are great many important con-
siderations connected with the establish
will affect very materially the welfare OF
the whole community. Let the Commits
sioners and Congress look well into this
matter. A. b.
Seventy-five Gents a Thousand Feet.
EDITOR CRITIC: THE CRITIC has in re-
cent issues favored the idea Of Government
possession Of the plant of the Washington
Gas Company to the end that the govern
ment at Washington and the people Of this
favored place may have gas as they now
have watcr-at Il reasonable price. The
Senate District Committee are wrestling
with the subject, and they are about to
enter on 'comprehensive inquiry''sas to
the expcdiency Of compelling a reduction
in the price of gas. VIII you allow me to
say that there Is really no necessity to SO.
riously consider the idea Of Governmental
possession, and especially is such an In
quiry as is about to be made by the Senate
District Committee unnecessary. Whoever
has read Senator Van Wyck's speech on the
subject knows what tremendous profits it
has wruDg out Of us during the past half
century. ! rise therefore to inquire II it
has any rights that we are bound to re-
spectP | for one do not think SO. Does
any one say Congress has no right to take
any action that will render n share of Wash
ington Gas stock of less value than 1t now
has? | say the concern is the absolute
blood long enough. Why should 1t not be
cloked off9
Now, what is required Nothing more
than iive-line law, fixing the price of gas
here at 75 cents thousand feet. What is
the necessity for an inquiry TO find out
what is fair price for gas? It is sufficient
that a company is now applying to Con-
gress for charter under the condition of
furnishing standard gas here at 90c. per
thousand. And they offer a flfty-thousand-
dollar bond as guarantee that they will
comply with the contract. Why, then,
should there be any besltancy on the part
| of Congress? / was greatly surprised to
see that Senator ingalls, expressed himself
| as he did recently. ave are not sufficiently
informed" he said, in effect, "as to the
cost Of making gas to be able to fix a
| price," Why this tenderness Of our mOnop-
| olyp Others stand ready to furnish gas ut
90 cents. Why not at least compel the
company in possession to accept the pro-
posed figures or quitP Gentlemen Of Con-
| gress, you are too tender Of this corpora
tion Never mind your inquiry. Enact
| your 75-cent gas law. II our company can't
furnish the article at that price, let them
get out Of the way for those who can and
who will pay them a fair price for their
plant. JOHN UNIT