Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-04-14
City school Board.

proceedings in full as written for the GA
zETTE:
The interest fels by the trustees in the
erection of a new school house was svluced
Thursday night by the prompt attendance
of every member of the Board.
Supt Carne fret, By unanimous consent,
laid before the meeting communication
from John s. Beach, esq, formerly trustee
and afterwards o teacher in the public
schools, and DOW clerk ofthe courts, offering
az prizs for the best and most legible writ
ing, by pupil of Washington or Lee schools.
at q reasonable rate of speed, hundred
dollar typewriter, or if two should be equal
a $50 gold watch TO each girl and $50 in gold
to each boy.
On motion of Mr.. Strauss the offer was
accepted, and on motion OF Mr.. w. f. Carne,
the thanks of the board were returned to
hIr. Beach for.the prize.
Supt. Csrne, from the com mittee on school
houses and furniture, then presented the
unanimous report of that committee in favor
Of building the new house on the south end
of the Washington school lot, and stating
that at the end of the fiscal year there would
be about 81 900 in the treasury applicable to
its erection.
Col Smith was strongly in favor OF adopt
ing the report except as to the location.
The constant Earring of the houses there
abouts by locomotives rendered it. he
thought, advisable to put it as far from the
railroad as possible, and he favored the
corner of Wolfe and Washington:
Mr.. Leadbeater was, also, warmly n favor
of the building, but reminded the board
that the debt due Mrs. Howell must be paid
upon her death and read figures from the
clerks books showing that the revenues OF
the board were but 500 more than its ex.
penses.
Supt. Carne said that the reason Of The
committee for locating the house at the
south end of the lot was to preserve intact
the old academy building. in which George
Washington had established his school and
Robert E. Lee, had received part of his ed.
ucation. Other cities sedulously preserved
historic buildings and memorials of their
great men; Alexandria had allowed some OF
them to he destroyed and he did not want
this to follow. He was not sanguioe as to
Mt. Vernon Avenue, but should it ever be
built. he should like the old house 10 be
seen from it. This might al be mere senti
ment but he was not ashamed OF it. Besides
this, the site proposed by the committee
would leave the terraced grounds and the
trees untouched, would hide the ugly sur
roundiDgs to the south, would protect the
end of the building from mischievous boys
and would make it cost $3.50 less.
Mr.. Smith fully appreciated the hstor-
10 value of the old building, but
old things must yield to modern prog
ress. Gen. Washington had done his best to
furnish good house in his day; were he
| now alive be would not wish it to spoil the
looks of an elegant modern building. He
moved to adopt the report except that part
relating to the site.
Mr.. Vincent had origininally favored the
corner, but saw advantage in the other posi-.
ton. He was willing, however, to take either.
The report, except the clause relating to
the site, was then adopted, and MIR. w. F.
Carne moved to meet on the school grounds
on Friday at O. ~, to determine tho site,
but subsequently changed his motion TO 5
p, N.
Mr.. Sweeney moved to amend by adj
journing to Monday night that oil might
have time to examine the place on Sunday.
On that motion the vote was Ayes
Measrs Bryant, Smith, Stuart, Marbury and
Sweeney, 5; Noes-Messrs. Altcheson. w.
F. Carne, Fendall, Leedbeater. Mankin,
Strauss and Vincent, T.
Mr.. Carne's motion was then adopted
| without division.
discussion then arose as to whether the
board was morally bound by Its former con-
tract with Mr.. Gibson. MessrP Vincent,
BIarbury and Streusn thought it was Mr..
Sweeney argued that if prices had raised
Mr.. Gibson would not have considered him.
self bound, and that tho board was not
either.
COL Smith said that he would vote for
| . n he ~
was in force, but that he much doubted. He
asked for the judgment of the board, which
was given in its favor, and then he moved
that Albert Stuart, esq, be employed to
draw up contract with Mr.. Gibson, and
that the work be proceeded with as soon as
possible, which was carried unanimously.
On motion of Mr.. Strauss it was ordered
that it be done under the direction of the
committee on schoolhouses and furniture.
Col. Smith moved that special commit
tee, of which Mr.. Strauss should be chair
man. be appointed to report means for pro-
curing the balance wanted for the work,
but, at the suggestion of that gentleman,
substituted the committee on finance and
accounts, and the motion was carried.
MIR. Mankin asked whether superin-
teudent should not be appointed for the
building.
Supt Carne replied that be was author
lied to say that Mr.. Vincent would take
that place without compensation, where
upon the offer was accepted with thanks.
Supt Carne, from the committee Oh
schoolhouses and furniture. reported that
well was needed at the Lee building to
abate nuisance, and leave was given the
committee to have one dug, and at $50 the
board adjourned until o'clock Friday after
noon.
An adjourned meeting was held at Washington
school building yesterday afternoon, at which all
the members were present except the chairman
and Messrs. w. T. Carne and Marbury.
Col. Smith was elected chairman pro tom.
The business being to select site for the build
ing, Col. Smith moved that it be erected at the
corner of Wolfe and Washington streets.
Messrs Strauss and Sweeney both supported
the motion, as did Mr. Vincent, who ssid that he
had signed the report because he disliked to de-
stroy the grass and trees but that the building