Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-24

ence OF the members Of the Board Of
Education, Of the Mayor, several Couu-
cilrnca, and number Of ladies and gen
tlemen. Inc ceremony took place ~ )
O'Clock.
The cornerstone is block Of Bran
dyWine granite, set in the northeast
angle OF the building, facing almost
down the creek IL is about Is feet from
the ground and its measurements are
1Sx1Sxl5 inches. Il was cut into shape
by Councilman James Tyre Of the
Seventh ward. The sole inscription
upon it Is the date 1898, cut into tine
north and east faces.
7 President Baird Of the Board Of Edit
cation called the gathering TO order, and
then stated tho purposes for which they /
had met. The audience crowded for
shelter from the hot rays Of the evening /
sun along the western side Of one Of the /
! walls Of the new structure. President |
Baird and Secretary l.. 3. Jones stood |
out bareheaded in the hot sunshine |
while the latter Official called the roll |
( of the board.
Those present were John r. Hart |
+ man, William Turner, Samuel II. Bay
naTd, Charles Baird, DIR. Palmer, John
Spillane, Joseph Pyle, William b. Clerk,
DR.. Shorilidgc. Others present were
Architect L. L. Rice, Contractor John
Mulvena and Superintendent Of Works
Edward Tal!ey, the Rev Moses Heath,
and number of ladies and gentlemen.
President Baird then called upon
Chairman Baynard Of the building
committee of the new school. That
gentleman said that when President
Baird appointed a committee to select
site he gave them at that time bigger
job than anyone had any idea Of. After
carefully going over the ground to
ascertain a spot best suited for all the
various points TO be considered, the
COMMITTEE at length made a unanimous
report approving the present site. The
board concluded 10 visi: the ground
before accepting. They saw everything,
both the advantages and the alleged dis
advantages Of this choice. Following a
discussion Of the matter at an adjourned
meeting this site was at length formally
adopted.
The services Of Architect E. L. Rice
were secured. He handed in plan 10
the board which, while it provided in a
proper way for present needs, also COW
cred the requirements for the future.
His plan was for school Of 81 rooms.
He thought it would do for many years.
Mr.. Baynard then turned and, draw
ing the attention Of his listeners 10 the
splendid scope of country which the view
from where they stood embraced, ex-
planned how Mr.. Rice's plans con
iemplated school accommodation foI
Eastlake and Crescent and all the long
stretch Of territory lying on both bank
Of the historic Brandywine. Up the
creek there ia dense population whost
children can come down the park road
10 the school. The three or four square!
contiguous to the new building in tn,
centre of the city will also be served BY
the new school. On this showing thu
committee deemed it well to have /
zl-roomed school building.
Then the bids came in. That was the
first damper the promoters Of the new
educational enterprise experienced. Tn
lowest bid was $4,000. The committe
then determined TO reduce the size Q
tine school, as it was evident some Q
the members thought the board coul
not make the outlay. New bids wer
ordered. The average was $55,00t
This was still too high and other reduc
tons were made by the architect
We at length got the architect
ing. At the end Of the past month
May the bids were opened before til
board for the third time. The lowe
was that Of John Mulvena for 500, 90
The committee approved Mr.. Muivena
bid and awarded him the contract an
ia that was on June 9th.
Some members Of the board thougl
on account Of the steep declivity on Il
park side of the proposed structure tn
q sure foundation could not be obtaine
But now the committee is Of tine unaI
nous opinion that they are sound al
safe enough TO satisfy the most exactil
person. The contractor dug down
bed rock, and it is on that that t
foundations now rest.
This Is the first report of the scho
building committee | think it e
tremely appropriate at this time til
we hear something from the president
"Mr. Belts, how long has Mr.. Bal
been president of the Board OF Educ
tion-is it "a years2"
Mr.. Betts-"lt Is past my recollt
ton"
Mr.. Pyle-"Twenty-seyen years,
deed; 1t is AZ you meant" Laughter
MIR. Baird-Ihe purpose Of this
semblage is to go through the form
ceremony of laying the cornerstone
the school building that is to be cree
here. The speaker then mentioned
number Of interesting figures viii
were published in yesterdays EVE
EVENING, and which relate TO sch
and general educational matters OF "
mington.
There are hundreds Of children,
Baird continued, who do not avail the
selves of school facilities. This ha
some new building will give opportun
20 those parents who hitherto had
the advantage that others better situa
for school advantages have. And
fact is the real reason for the expel
ture that the Board of Education
making at this point.
The building is in the hands o
competent committee who will sec I
IL is finished in proper and credita
manner.
Wilmington is well provided v
schools. think we may well be pr
of our public school system. Fl
kindergarten 10 high school we
second 10 none in the land. There
many people changing their reside
and coming to this city on accoun
this fact They come here and
with us because they see they can c
cate their children in the Whining
schools both cheaply and we'll
Mr. Baird then inquired what the
mainder Of the programme was.
Mr.. Baynard-The programme
the only thing forgotten. think il !
order now to hear from Mr.. Pyle, oh
man of the finance committee.