Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-04

COndisiou and Needs - the Public
scheeis q washiagssa.
A nErozrAL PROM Dssr.icr Assembly, mo- CO Z.
or L, ASKING TIE MNgDrATe Passages or AcF1
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOE 800 ADDITIONAL
SCHOOL ROOMS IN rHrs psrxIcL
District Assembly No. ca. Knights Of Labor, Of
memorial calling the attention OF that body to the
condition of the schools Of Washington. The
memorial is as follows:
1.-THE school authorities report that there are
rented school rooms unnt for use, So; own3d school
rooms unf1t for use, ~; halliday schools 1885,
which, to make full day schools, will require a1d-
uonal rooms, 50, being total lack Of rooms, 1877.
AT nifty scholars to q room this represents a
denial OF decent educational facilities to $3.50
children, and this number - far below that stated
by the authorities. We assert, however, that all
of the rooms are over-crowded, and that teaching
In any respectable sense OF he word, Is impossible
and we insist that schools and teachers should be
have full day and ample personal instruction In
school, We further insist that this should be done
Immediately, and that to this emf Congress should
at the present session authorize the construction
OF not less than 300 new school rooms OF the best
kind, and the employment OF teachers sufficient tC
utilize all OF the rooms as soon as completed.
1--WE also request that all books and materials
necessary to secure an education shall be furnished
free TO all scholars as u right gre It many
CulNItu are uudUlc W puFCudSS LuetU anu tQlS re-
SUIT, either IN their exclusion from the schools OF
The degradation or accepting as a favor what they
cannot OBTAIN otherwise. The distinctions arising
dependent and Independent children.
awe anow OF no valid objection to the granting
Of what we here request. Isit poverty Of the peo-
what we demand. II must be done In time and
may better be done at once. We demand an In.
yestment not an ex enditure. Is it economys
WHAT right has Congress 70 save money at the ex-
pense OF the future or the children Of Washington?
These children have few short years In winch to
qualify themselves for future duties as individuals
and citizens. To deprive them Of the power OF
knowledge In order to reduce some ones taxes is a
scheme o. economy not less fatal TO the state than
1--WE remind you that the extraordinary viola.
ton OF the American principle OF self-goyernment
Is here continued on the ground that our popula-
ton Is UNITED BY ignorance 70 regulate LneiI
local affairs II this mOnstrous anomaly can be
removed by the expenditure OF money, Congress
should II necessary devote the whole surp.ustn the
Treasury Immediately TO that end. We stand stul-
titled In the eyes or the whole world so long as at
the very at OF government the ballot, hone-rule,
are admitted 10 be iadeouafe &c secure The BE
ings OF life, liberty and property against the as
sault, OF ignorance.
eve remind you that In . community where
seifgovernment is denied It Is OF inper alive I'm
portance that general intelligence should prevail
Thus only can the people know the legal rights Of
the rich and respect them, Or know the Just rights
OF the poor and defend them from aggression We
further remind you that our order has In view the
aOoltlon or the wage system, and the substitution
OF the cooperative system OF Industry therefor.
To that end we earnestly desire educational means
that VIII qualify the heads and hands OF the grow
ing generation for effective service in co-0pera-
ton.
congress has assumed the character OF fate
for this District. 1t Is therefore bound to do its
best for people. II has no right to assume that
the people would not manage well for themselves,
and that the duty OF Congress Ii ended when 1t
does as well as the people would do. Moreover,
the outcry from the cOOred and white the rich
and the poor, tine school board, the Commissioners,
from every body here against th- inadequacy OF
our schools Is positive proof that Congress in this
matter Is tagging far behind what the people
would gladly do for educationi left to themselves.
I'VE assert that the compensation Of teachers Is
insufficient to secure the best talent or IL en-
courage the best efforts Of such talent as Is Sc.
cured. We therefore petition that teachers sala-
r1eS be liked at rate that will give US the best
talent TO be had, md prompt the best exertOns OF
those who are employed.
"Our petition Is for 300 more school rooms of the
best modern kind, free books and material for all
children, teachers In Sufficient numbers 10 give
each child ample personal attention, and salaries
on scale to secure the best educational talent,
and that all this be granted immedi .tely. Our re-
quests may not be modest, but We trust that they
are rational and just and that the occasion for
our making them may soon be removed"