Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-21
A wEsTERNER,s VIEW.
what He Thinks Of Washington and It's
schools.

To the Editor of The Evening star;
arrived in this city last Wednesday. ON n
mp Of pleasure as well as business, aud Friday
secured a carriage so could obtain n better
view oil your most beautiful city with it's wide,
wen shaded and handsomely paved avenues
and streets, ami words fail 10 express the great
priae feel as an American citizen, living as I
do IN western state, in having such magnIfi-
cent city as the seat of government for our great
country. and sincerely hope our national legis-
iature will be always liberal in its appropria-
tons toward further identifying the only plnce
IN our whole country in which we all as Ameri-
cane have such deep and abiding interest. i'm
making II as IL soon must be. the most beauti-
fui and delightful resident city on earth as well
world. - WIZ NV"
Having heard so much OF vour svstem M
puolic education, in which subject take great
interest AT home, visited many of your schonls
anu found your school buildings the finest /
nave ever seen. though / have visited every
cnnizeu land' but regret to learn that the
scnooi children are compelled 10 inlay their
httle games on the public streets. because no
play grounds are attached 90 the school build
ihgs- Inns Is a great overnight for many ACCT
gents must occur where thousands of playful
ennareh' let out from the restraints of the
schooi room, play their many games durinc
recess, and no doubt many accidents have
taken place IN the past There should be ample
play ground attached TO each school building
lor the chiidrens amusement with all the
many ueNlces Tor Their enjoyment usually found
az sucn places ana no expense should be spared
10 Keep the children within the confines OF the
school premises at recess. so no accident will
occur from their playing on the public streets.
as witnessed the day of my drive, from the
many vehicles passing. some in charge Of reck-
less drivers The carriage was in came near
running over two children in front of ON. Of
the schools in the northwest part of your city,
though our horses were going at n gentle gait
observed your school buildings are gener-
ally located in very suitable places. and IL ap-
pears to me a serious mistake when selecting
site tor one that your authorities should only
purchase sufficient land on which to locate the
building and give no thought TO the all
important matter of playground, which IL so
necessary for the well being of the pupils who
have been confined in a school room for hours
in cramped positions. Ii 10 only reasonable 70
presume that land can be had here now for q
great deal less money than ii can be ten or
twenty years hence. when nearly all vacant
ground will have been improved, for besi<ies
paying the enhanced value Of the land. the i'm
proyements thereon must be paid for az we'll,
as II will be but short time before your an
thorities will see the absolute necessity of every
public school having Fairgrounds attached, for
We AL must admit that play and recreation for
school children are as necessary as an educa-
ton.
hope you will as public instructor urge
this most important matter on the attention OF
the authorities of your city through your val
liable paper, as L learn il is read by nearly
every resident here, SO this great wrong NAV
be corrected, and doubtless you will have the
earnest prayers Of both parents and children
for the interest am sure you will manifest in
their welfare in this particular. and it is 70 be
hoped that those who have control Of the public
schools will read a strangers thoughts on this
all-impoftant subject ana make efforts TO give
the children a safe place in which TO play with
out fear OF being manned for life or perhaps
killed by passing vehicles MEsrkRsER
October 20, 1881.