The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-02-17
DISGRACEFUL BUILDINGS.
Where. Jersey City Children Are
Sent 10 Be Educated.

President Edelstein made a long ad-
dress to the Board of Finance last night
regarding the condition of the public
schools, which. as everyone knows, is not
altogether creditable to the city.
Just think" said Mr.. Edelstein. ''of
little children being forced to wade
through puddles of water as they enter
school. to sit for hours under leaky roofs,
and, in some instances, to be despatched
by rain water falling into vessels placed
upon the floor beside thoir desks; to en-
dure the discomforts caused by broken
that is worse than useless. Think of our
children being In constant fear of top
pling sliding doors and ricketty furni-
ture. To all these ada the evils of fright
fully poor ventilation. and you will have
some idea of our city's school buildings.
"But bad as the school houses are the
interiors would be eclipsed by the shame
full story of the yards into which the chill
dren troop during recess hours. Broken
and dirty pavements are the rule. while
the vile condition of the out-buildipgs is
almost indescribable. They are begrimed
and besoaked with filth; mere apologies
for what they should he in size, and in
many cases so poorly devised that modesty
and retirement must become almost un-
known quantities to those who are forced
to use them. 1t is a wonder that our tax
payers have not been up In arms long be-
fore this because of the manner in which
their children are treated. The whole
shameful story would take hours to relate
and even then details would have to be
omitted.
Mr.. Edelstein then proceeded to give
the details. School No. l, in York street
Is ''dilapidated from cellar to garrett"
and Thorough repairs would mean entire
reconstruction" No. 2, in Erie street, is
as bad, IL notworse. The "children hav e
to enter the school through dark cellar
that is flooded by every rain." No. 3, in
Bright street, Is another of the same sort,
minus the cellar. Its two annexes. one
in old Nv Hose House, and the old Stable
ribly bad schools. Nos. 4 S, 6. and are
also '.on the list" No. 10 is so bad that
1t should be abandoned. 1t is a veritable
fever trap. Nos. II, IL. IA, 20 and 81 are
also in terrible condition.
But the strongest case of all, perhaps,
is No. 90 1t is new building, has only
been In use for about two years. yet Mr.,
Edelstein says that, "repars are needed
to the. roof. ceilings, furniture and plumb
ing. Windows and radiators are broken
and the out-houses in indescribable
shape"
Mr.. Edelstein thought that SIS, ,O0C
should be appropriated to put these
schools in repair at once.
Commissioner Kenny was satisfied to
appropriate the $3.50 asked for to make
the necessary repairs. but felt confident
that $25, 900 at least would be required.
He is willing to appropriate that amount
If the Street and Water Commissioners
will from time to time submit to the
Board of Finance list of the expendi-
lures being made. The suggestions of
President Edelstein were adopted, and a
resolution. which received the vote OF
every member, was passed, setting aside
the SIS. 900 asked for to make the repairs
The monev will be borrowed on tempo
rary loan bonds bearing per cent. in
terest, and will be placed in the tax levy
of next year.
The repairs will be begun at one.