Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-07
Appropriations for Public Schools.

To the Editor of TIE EVENING srAR:
The provisions OF the appropriation bill for the
District OF Columbia for the next ensuing year as
reported by the House committee contains some
features affecting the public schools for the Dis
trict which really ought TO be understood by our
citizens and by Congress before the bill becomes
law.
reiterates the provisions OF last years bin pro-
DitlDg any Increase ia the number OF teachers in
any grade the salary OF which Is $500 or more. In
other words In any increase IN the number OF sth
grade teachers. The number OF pupils in each O,
the various grades Increases every year requiring
more teachers IN each grade. The effect OF this
prohibition last year was either to deny school
faculties 70 number OF sth grade pupils or 20
have number OF eighth grade schools taught by
trustees chose the LATTER evidently as the least OF
two evils; buj II surely is unnecessary and un-
advisable 10 make this permanent and Increasing
embarrassment OF our public schools
Another consequence OF this feature of the hill
VIII be probably 10 abolish the colored Normal
school Prior 70 last year the principal OF TINS
scbool was paid by the trustees OF the Miner
fund, a private charitable organization. which
Withdrew their aid with the year 1885,, The
salary paid was sl,aso, being the same as that
received by the principal or the white Normal
SCHOOL Under this restriction In last Years
Appropriation Dill IL was found impossible to
than $780, since. to do so, would have been
10 Increase the number OF teachers In grades re-
ceiving $500 and upward, The principal OF the
colored Normal School has self-sacrincingly re-
NAMED at her post during the present year at a
salary OF $50. supposng that this Injustice was
aecldental ana unintended. The report OF the
board OF trustees called the special attention OF
Congress TO this matter, Notwithstanding which
Ict the same prohibition Is proposed by the COM
mittee for the ensuing year.
Another feature OF the bill also borrowed frorn
last years, is the prohibition or any Increase in
salaries paid 10 teachers In grades snow receiving
500 or more" The object doubtless was 10 pre-
vent increasing The salaries In the higher grades:
bul the effect was TO prohibit the promotion OF
teachers in these grades TO higher positions. The
prohibition In terms, Is against Increasing the
salaries OF such teachers as may be In grades re-
ceiving $500 and upward; so that n q teacher
should De In grade receiving $780, he or she can
not receive any increase OF salary, and per con.
sequence, higher positions must be filled EFT her
from teachers in grades receiving less than $500
or else from outside candidates.
Stiu more harsh feature OF the new bill is A.
prohibition that I'm assigning salaries 10 teachers
no discrimination shah be made between male and
female teachers employed IN the same grade OF
school or performing like class OF duties" No
such discrimination has ever been made In any
grade below the eighth. This proyiso, therefore,
taken In connection with the preceding one that
no Increase In salaries paid to teachers in grades
now receiving 800 or more Shall he made would
seem to necesSltate a reduction OF all salaries Ia
the eighth grade TO the minimum salary OF 800.
No female teacher receiving the minimum OF $500
can have her salary Increased and no ma e teacher
can receive u higher salary than a female Teacher
In the same grade with him. Female teachers are
not Denefitted, and retention OF our experienced
and efhcient eighth-grade male teachers is made
impossible.
Tic Diii, SUCH as uxing the aver
age salary paid 10 teachers at $3.50 per annum
While messengers In all the Departments are al
lowed $40 per annum; and making the minimum
teachers salary 500 per annum. while laborers In
the Departments are allowed $500 per annum, cam
fail 70 strike all friends OF education as being
harsh and unjust discrimination against the
teachers In the public schools. The PROVISIONS
specially referred 10. however are so Incompatible
with the ulimpaired efficiency OF our school sys-
TEN that your attention, a recognized friend Of
the schools, Is especially invited 10 them.
FRIEND OF THE SCHOOLS.