Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-04

Senator Gallinger has evidently satisfied
himself as to the shortcomings which af-
feet the efficiency of our public school sys-
tenn. A few days since he expressed him
self in the Senate believing that the
school facilities here were nearly, IL not
quite, adequate to the wants of the chill
dren: now he knows better-if he did not
then. At that time he also said: eff 1t
shall appear that the school facilities are
Inadequate / am sure that Congress will
hasten to make necessary appropriations to
provide necessary school accommodations"
The Star, in commenting on the Senator's
remarks. said 1t hoped he would prove
success in his role of prophet. and, so far
as the Senate is concerned, he fills the bill
admirably. The Senate Committee on APP
propriations gave careful consideration to
the arguments presented by the friends of
the schools and reached the altogether
creditable conclusion that there was urgent
need for a much greater expenditure than
that authorized by the House of Represent
atives; in this conclusion they seem to have
the hearty sympathy and unyielding sup
port of the Senate. Complimenting the
members of the Senate committee on their
report. Senator Gallinger said:
They have recognized the necessity and
have met the emergency In spirit of lib
erality that is worthy of all praise. 1t is
good beginning. to be followed. 1 trust, In
future Congresses by still more generous
appropriations. and to he continued until
every child in the District Is given the full
eat opportunity for an education and
right start In life. In culture, In refine
ment, in art, in literature and science
Washington will compare with the most ad-
vanced cities of the world. Her streets.
avenues. churches, homes and public build
ings are the pride of the people of the en-
tire nation. One blot alone seems to be on
her fair name, and that Is that adequate
provision has not been made for educating
the masses. IL Is a serious blemiSh. and In
the interest alike of virtue and good gov
eminent we should welcome the determine
ton of the Senate Committee on Appropria-
lions to remedy the evil.
The portrait presented by the Senator
from New Hampshire is admirably truthful
and will be recognized by all who have the
welfare of Washington at heart. 1t is
serious blemish on the Districts reputation
that any children mot to say any consider
able number of children) should be without
opportunity to acquire at least the rudi-
ments of the education that today is es-
sential to success in any civilized COM
munity. The condition complained of would
not be in existence had Congress acceded
TO the requests of the District Commission
ers and the board of school trustees. but
the national legislature has an unfortunate
and inexcusable habit of ignoring estimates
that are in every respect honest whenever
a majority of our legislators happen to be
afflicted with the entirely mistaken idea
that economy consists in refusing to APP
money actually needed. For the
stand taken by the Senate Committee on
appropriations and by the Senate itself the
people of the District of Columbia are
grateful: not because they are improper
beneficiaries. but because they have be-
come accustomed to exhibiting gratitude
for congressional permission to purchase
with their own money even the common
necessaries Incidental to municipal govern
ment. Concluding his speech last Saturday.
Senator Gallinger called upon the Senate to
stand by the committee "in the amend
ments proposed. and stand by them, too. in
any contest that may arise in the commit
tee Of conference over these proposed in
creases for the public schools of the Dis
trict of Columbia" The people of the Dis
trict of Columbia re-echo the Senator's call
for righteous adhesion to a good cause.