The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-29

ANch iOAhs Oh SNNig bObhiNs
manual training holds a commanding place in
the course Of study. IN II reported that the
schools are peculiarly backward In the study
of drawing, and that itmay be desirable forthe
State TO make ispecisl provision for ths
proper training OF teachers in that branch.
Marked improvement is TO be found in the
management OF evening schools, they having
been brought nearer the standard OF day
schools by the establishment Of grades and
systematic courses of study Free libraries
have increased by two, there being now "a,
with circulation 81 10000 volumes. IL Is
matter for regret that this avenue OF education
is not more extensively used in the country
districts. In many places the library building
Is III adapted for its purpose, especially on ac-
count OF its location. and IL is suggested thar
the state should require the towns TO put
forth greater effort 10 make the Libraries more
attractive and convenient.
The expenditures for educational purposes
during the past year have been 81 ,62) l63.57, OF
which sum $780, .93 was devoted 90 buildings
and equipment. OF the total expenditure
s2F 00.T2 was drawn directly from the State
Treasury, and 81 ,35s 0l2s5 was furnished from
the treasures OF cities. towns and districts.
The number OF children enrolled during the
year in public schools was 55,61l, an increase OF
1875 over the previous year. In addition u
this, 1915 have received instruction in %
private institutions, including kindergarten
and parcchial schools. according to reports re
ceived by the commits ioner.
You will, trust, find opportunity to pass
favorally upon a measure to abolish the dis
trict ~ stem of school administration wherever
II exists, and substitute therefor control by
the town authorities. / clnnot endorse too
earnestly this proposed change, which has been
desired for many years by all interested in
eduos,ional work, and which is justified by
the lexample and experience OF other New
England States 1 also heartily second the
efforts Of the Board Of Education TO obtain
legislation that will furnish a method for the
examination and determination of the qualifl
cations OF teachers, so that the State may se-
cure the services of instructors of capability
and merit.
The Board of Education expects to begin the
construction Of the new Normal School early
in the spring Plans and specifications have
been accepted and the site determined upon.
II viii be located on Smiths Hill adjacent 10
the new State House. The commission fourd
that the old State Prison property was not
wholly suitable for its purpose and has taken
steps to condemn surrounding land The pres
ent school on Benefit street Is so crowded that
every available seat IL taken and several stu
dents are obliged TO occupy different parts OF
the hall, while the recitation rooms have many
times proved too small for the classss. Tho
model and training school in connection with
this institution continues to yield results
which demonstrate its value as n means of pro-
viding higher grade of instructors.
The free scholarships in the Rhode Island
School Of Design, purchased by the increased
appropriation placed at the disposal OF the
board have been eagerly sought. There are
st present holding State scholarships, one
hundred in the evening classes, twenty three
in tne day classes and six in the Saturday
class, and the full appropriation has been
utilized.
By the terms OF the compromise resolution.
passed at the last January session, providiiy 2
for the settlement OF the controversy between
Brown University and the X. l. College of Ag.
riculture and Mechanic Arts, the lattcr insti
tuition has come into possession of the Morrill,
fund, amounting TO over SS5 600, which carries
with 1t an annual appropriation from the
United States government OF S25,0J5. The Gen
eral Treas lrer also holds in trust for the col
lege the sum Of $4,000, representing the funds
of the land grant of ISt2. These funds viii
enable the college to increase its equipment
enlarge its courses OF study, ana TO open its
doors TO larger number of students. Seven
teen pupils graduated at the frs. commence
ment in June last; forty new students entered
last fall. and throughout the year instruction
has been given TO 1l6 pupils. The college has
passed successfully n most critical period in
Its history and can be considered no longer an
experiment. While the president reports that
growing interest is displayed in the institu
tion, the public cannot yet be fully aware oi
the excellent facilities IL affords for obtaining
n liberal and practical college education n. a
very moderate cost. The tuition H. fr, o and
the expense to a boarding student is not more
than $3.50 per week.
At the Institute for the Deaf there has been
an average attendance OF 81 pupils during tho
year The net expense ~ maintenance ha,
been $l3,l63.&. OF the special appropriation
made at the May session, s9s692 has been OK
n l. Al ...s..
tenn OF manual training, and the teaching OF
printing.
The state has Is pupils at the Perkins Insti
tute for the Blind, in South Boston. and II nj
the Waverly School for Feeble Minded. In re
porting thot the Waverly school IL now
crowded, the Board of Education observes thai
Il has reason 90 believe that there are over 81
feeble minded children In Providence and
vicinity who are entitled 20 tn, privileges Of
such a school. IL is suggested that u might bc
worth while 20 attempt the experiment of {
day school for these deficient chillrel.
The work OF tie Board OF Control OF the
State Home and School has been influenced 10y
the general increase or suffering resulting
from the pres eel business conditions. Tha
Cottages have been crowded, and tho Board hai
often been unable TO Accommodate children
save as vacancies &C ,urrcd. A new cottage l.
being built for the younger boys. thcfeby nj
lowing the use II Que of tho smaller houses fci
special hospital purposcs. On the first o
january there were rs children I'm the home
and the avsrags has been l25 for IN yaar
Three schoo.s havc been maintained, Of defined
grades. with excsll mt results. On ac,oupt 81
conditions that win b. fully set fort1 IN its
report. the Beard will ask yop FOR an increase
of sl5O In it, annuil appropriation.
Charities aud Corrections.
No draft upon our State Treasury seems "a
frgouent'y pres ing. or y yielded to with N
mach reluciancs. a. thc appropriations r.
ouired for cnlarging the inst tutieus at Gran
ston. In the pist Ave years there has bcoi
voted and cx xpsnded upol buildings. improve
mcnt and hands, upwards OF 5lO0). which
II also embraces the appropriation ~ $1,000
male NJ tho ast MAJ sfs ion FOR new iail build
ings. The plans for wh.ci arr almost flnishcs
80 that the work of construction viii pr5b
ably tesin In the spring. The exterior wa-s