Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-10-10

Gentlemen:-l beg leave TO submit
the following, as my report for the
month beginning August II, and end
ing September IL, 1891:
Total enrolment, Whites .........~.,,..,,..,.96
olored...","..."."""... 81
Average number belonging, Whites,.,,..25 5.O5
Colored,..o.... AZ
attending daily, Whites 25O,56
Colored,,..,39
Per cent of attendance, Whites......" .,."~..9S
Coloredo ...2%
No. days taught......,.
An examination of the foregoing
statistics will show that we have now
in the white schools some % pupils
more than we can conveniently ac-
commodate. Still, if we have no
more to seat before Oct. !, we can
comfortably place our surplus. In
this town the law of shrinkage in at
tendance is about per cent month
for the first seven months, and from
10 to 10 per cent for the remaining
three.
1t is certain, however, that we can
take no more pupils till more room
is provided, which / think should be
done by Nov. /, at the latest.
THE CLASS OF PUPILS
we have this year taken is by far the
best of any previous session since l
have had the honor to serve, you.
In the main, they are clean, decent
and orderly, and for this month, at
any rate, quite studious. They are
making fine progress. At least 80
per cent of the white pupils that have
thus far entered were enrolled last
year, and as many as l75 Of the num-
Der missed less than ten days from
school last session. 1t has therefore
been possible to effect far more
thorough organization of the white
schools than ever before.
THE NEW HOURS,
known as the continuous session,
have largely contributed to this re-
suit, beyond any question.
While there have been some pro-
tests against the employment of these
hours, they have mainly come from
people only slightly interested in the
matter. A great majority of the me-
chanics and working people express
great satisfaction, and l have heard
nothing but approval except from
people who have Systematically crit
icised every act Of this Board since !
have been citizen of the place. II
seems to be conceded, however, that
this Board will manage its own BUSH
ness without the help Of the gratui'
tous advice usually bestowed SO lib
orally upon people who serve the
public. A great deal of silly criticism
is unquestiOnably thus avoided.
1t is certain that the continuous
session has been productive Of most
gratifying results, so far as concerns
the behavior and punctuality OF the
pupils, and has enabled the teachers
to discipline and systematic the
schools in a manner never before pos
sible here.
THE ORDER
of the grounds, school rooms and
class rooms is as perfect as can be at
tanned in our buildings. In addition
to this there is method and neatnesS
never before secured, attributable
solely to the fact that our school
rooms are presided over by lady
teachers. The old story of the
"Silken Glove and Iron Hand
nowhere shows to better advan
tage than in the public schools. The
average man fails utterly to refine
The Iron Hand he usually has, if hC
knows his business-but somehow Of
other that hand manages to burst thC
glove. OF course it is necessary tina
our lady teachers should have
staunch and unflinching support un
der all circumstances, which is 0
course u very simple matter.
1 make the unanswerable argu
ment that cleanliness, neatness, ant
graceful movements are conducive.il
a high degree to order, and that jus
; as refinement distinguishes the civil
lied man from the savage, so tn
school room, where the highest ant
strongest refining influences ar
brought to bear, will rise above tina
where these influences are absent.
In the public schools we are edu
eating the nations future citizens
and since proper home influences ar
, frequently lacking, the schools shoult
not fail to supply all needs.
This leads to the consideration Q
my second corollary to the genera