The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-13


West Broad street
school Coolj........ Is $50 sic 81
co,, Total :i3:i; % % s29s ss9s asss
Total. ............ 1888 s,4l9 ASST 6s7o
There were two deaths in the Barnard
street school, one in the Massie school, three
In the Cathedral school and six In the West
Broad street coloredD school, a total Of
twelve deaths during the year.
The financial portion of the report was
not presented, on account of the absence of
the treasurer. Supt. Baker made the fol-
lowing pertinent remarks on the statistics:
An examination Of the statistics submitted
In the above tables shows that there has
been an increase of 1888 pupils enrolled in the
schools over that of last year. There has
been q decrease OF "A in the county schools.
There has therefore been a net increase of
1865 IN the schools as whole. The entire
enrolment was 9, $40. It has been evident
for some years that there has never been a
true enumeration Of the school population Of
Chatham county. The last census was taken
In 1888 and showed a total of IS, 1S6 persons
between the ages or and 10 years. There
lis reason to believe that owing TO the cares
lessness Of some Of the enumerators, aud the
difficulties Of reaching some of the islands
embraced within the limits of the
county, the census was imperfectly
the amount Of money received from the
state by any county is based upon this con-
sus it becomes matter of no small impor-
tance that efficient enumerators should be
appointed to do this work. Under the
school law. If shere be reason TO believe that
In any county new enumeration should be
made 1t becomes the duty of the state board
OF education to order tue same 60 be made
recommend that official notice be served
upon our honorable state school commits
sioner to the effect that a new census Of
children between and is years be taken in
Chatham county"
MORE BUILDINGS NEEDED,
On the question OF school accommodations
! the superintendent says; "In order to meet
the constantly increasing demands for ad-
mission into the schools, the boara has been
compelled to rent two entire pri-
vate residences and three additional
rooms In lily ventilated Easements.
These temporary expedients answered
partially the demands Of the public. The
smallness Of the rooms and other incon-
venienceS, however, placed both pupils and
! teachers at very great disadvantage The
construction OF new building, therefore,
| became an absolute necessity. The new
| school edihce on Henry street, now nearing
completion. has been built on the most APP
| proved plan, and will be equipped with
| new furniture and supplied with modern
| appliances and conveniences. Situated as
| it Is, in the southern section of the city, it
| will be great convenience to q very large
| population, while at the same time It is an
ornament to the city.
THE accommodations for the colored chill
dren are still very restricted. The rooms
| in the two school buildings now used are
very much crowded, aud there were per-
haps 800 applicants turned away from the
schools last year.
''The buildings used in the rural districts
are as a general thing unfit for school pur-
poses. In many neighborhoods the schools
are taught Ia churches, and as these build
| lngs, once or twice during the week, are
used for religious objects, the owners very
naturally object to their being furnished
| with desks. Under these disad vantages
teachers can with difficulty teach penman-
! ship. Where the people refuse TO furnish
! proper school houses | thiak it would be
we'll to curtail the school term and devote
! the money thus saved to the erection OF
suitable buildings. Neat school houses and
good furniture not only contribute to the
health and comfort Of the pupils, but
bave civiizing and refining iuhu-
ence upon them. l verify believe
that the erection OF such buildings
in the rural districts of Chatham county
would arouse widespread interest 10 the
education OF the children and add greatly
to the prosperity aud happiness Of the peo
! ple.n
THE NIGHT SCHOOL.
| On the subject of the night school Supt.
! Baker speaks as follows:
! while Iheltotal enrolment in the even
lug school was encouraging, the average at
tendance was very disappointing This was
| perhaps owing TO two causes. The enter
! prise was q novel one in cur city, and, no
| doubt, some entered the school from Curl
osity. In few weeks that curiosity was
| satisfied, and these withdrew. But there
was another cause. The instructors APP
| pointed for this work, although possessed of
! requisite scholarship and faithful in the dis
charge OF their duties, were young and
utterly inexperienced. In my last annual
report | emphasized the fact that teachers
| OF evening schools should be men Of large
experience and peculiar tact in manage
| ment. The character of the pupils who
attend the school and the nature of the work
| 20 be done in II, call for Instructors of this
kind. Indeed. many who would succeed
| in day schools might prove utter
failures II placed in charge OF the former.
| There can be no question as to the demand
Tor night school in this city. II Is the only
opportunity offered to many young men
and boys for receiving an elementary edu-
! cation. 1t is believed that under the reor-
| Ranization authorized by the board the
school will prove a great benefit to many
who are compelled to work during the day.
| EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.
"Under the graded system prevailing in
| our schools, It is q matter of necessity that
| at the close Of each year the classes should
move forward In order TO make room for
those children who enter school for the first
time in the lowest grade. These promotions
are determined by oral and written ex-
aminations. This plan does not, OF course,
| prevent special promotions OF pupils at any