Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-02
Senators Still Further Discuss the
Appropriation Bill.
DEBATE ON MONEY FOR SCHOOLS
Mr.. GaIinger on the Parsimony of
Congress.
THE BUSINESS HIGH SCHOOL

District appropriation bill for the third
day of it's consideration. Seventeen pages
were passed on the first day and six on the
second. so that he clerk began to read at
the bottom of the twenty-fourth page.
starting in with schedules for the public
schools. Mr. Alirich Immediately took the
floor. and referred back to the preceding
items providing for an inquiry into the
water supply. He raised the question as to
the date on which the full report is to be
made to Congress. He thought that the
language of the amendment was such as
to prevent the testing of the tuAnel and
reservoir until after December 1 next.
Mr.. German assured him that this was
not the meaning of the language, and the
intention TO make the money immed-
ately available, so that the inquiry could be
begun at once.
Then the bill went on smoothly for few
minutes. The amendment appropriating
$500 for rent for additional school ac-
commodations in the fifth division went
through without question. The provisions
for new buildings were then reached and
Mr.. Aldrich suggested that as he under
stood that Mr.. Gallinger desired to discuss
the school question the amendment should
go over temporarily. Mr.. German said he
was willing TO have the debate take place
at once, and so Mr. Gallnger took the
floor.
He called attention in the beginning to
the present form of government In the
District. which he called anomalous and
incongruous." The people of the District
are placed upon the same level as the in
sane and Indians, without the suffrage.
This throws upon Congress the laborious
task of acting as common council for
the District, AMI legiSlatinS upon such
streets
police regulations
Mr. Gallinger added that. in his opin-
ion, the present form of government is
far from being as ideal 1t has been
called. 1t has been claimed that the peo-
pie themselves are satisfied with this con-
diton of things. but in the opinion of the
speaker this is not the case. There may
be some business men who are content to
allow Congress TO worry with the problems
of local legislation. The present system
may suit the convenience OF certain men
from motives not altogether above criti-
csm TO aid their nefarious schemes. cor
porationS and some kinds of trusts may
thrive upon this plan of government. But
the people themselves are not content
ParsimOr.y Toward the schools.
Senator Gallinger then went on to allude
to some of the faults of the system such
as relate to corporations, which he declared
to be generally inadequate. especially In the
matter of the public schools. and he read
at length from New York paper to show
that the newspapers of the country are
noting the parsimony OF Congress towaru
the schools Some of these reports, he said,
NAV be exaggerated, but there Is unfortun-
ately too much truth at the bottom OF 1t
all. Taking up the report OF the scnooi su-
perintendent, he pointed out the great ex-
cess of enrolled pupils over the seating
capacities of the schools.
There are in the white schools LII more
pupils enrolled than there ar, seats. ana
1857 more in the colored schools, making
total of 3.274 pupils more than can be
seated all dav. The result is a large ana
alarming number of halliday schools.
which cast the children out upon the
streets for half the time.
Mr. GaIlinger praised the advances made
by the Senate committee over the House
bill. but he thought that even now the
schedule of the pay for teachers Is alb
surdly low. 1t may be possible, he said, TO
get men and women TO work for the mere
pittances that are allowed by Congress.
but il is appalling. He was of the opinion
that the 100000 appropriated for the new
Business High School might better be
spent for new buildings for the lower
grades, but he might be in error. In con-
clUsion MIR. Gallinger called upon the Sem
ate to stand by the committee in its effort
to raise the standard of education in the
District.
MIR. Aldrich asked Mr.. German why
100000 should be spent for new Business
High School, when there is great need for
more facilities in the primary departments.
He knew of no other city in the country
that supports business high school.
senator Sherman's Appeal.
before Mr.. German could answer, Sem
ator Sherman took the floor to appeal for
better educational facilities for the District.
AT present, he said, the schools hardly COM
pare with those of his own little city in
Ohio. He, too, criticised the appropria ton
for a new Business High School, and said
that the money should be applied to the
lower grades. Congress does its duty, he
said. when ii gives the children good COM
mon school education, and should not so
higher with great sums, while there Is
still such Il crying need for new buildings
for the lower grades.
Mr. German for the Business High
school.
Mr. German explained that the 500 900 Is
given to build a new home for a school al
ready established. now occupying rented
quarters. The sanitary condition OF that
building. he added. Is disgrace and would
shock the sensIbilities of the Ohio Senator
if he should visit the school. He praised
the character of the school and it's results.
1t is attended. he said. by the children of
people of moderate means. VINO are eager
to obtain practical education. The mon
ey for such building would be more than
We'll spent.
Mr.. German went on to speak of the need
of more facilities for industrial education,
especially among the coIored people. He
spoke gratefully OF the efforts of Mr. Muir
ray OF the Congressional Library to secure
such an institution, and described the
benefits derived by the boys of Baltimore
from the great Baltimore and Ohio In
dustrial School, founded oy Robert Gar
rett. lie claimed that the efforts Of the
Senate committee in the direction of in
creased appropriations have BEEN med
crate. in view OF the pressing need of the
school system.
Mr.. sherman disciafmed any idea of
arguing for fewer schools. He thought
there should he at least one school for
every 2.5oD inhabitants, but he insisted
that there is no need for business col
lege.
Mr.. Platt joined Mr.. Sherman in the con-
tention that there appears to be no real
necessity for such an institution.
Just before 3 o'clock Senator Chandler
called for the presence of a quorum, and
the roll was called