Evening star., 1896-10-24
The Naming OF School BufldinEs.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Ihe accounts that have appeared in the
public press concerning the action taken
by the Northeast Suburban Citizens Asso-
Ciation as to the name of tine school build
ing now being erected in the northeas;
have been SO erroneous that 1t appears de-
strablc that the citizens Of that section
should have some more accurate informa-
ton of what has been done by the associa-
tion and of the present status Of affairs.
Some time ago the District Commission
ers sent communication to the associa-
ton. asking 1t to send them a name or
names for their consideration in the selec-
tion of name for the school building
In response to this communication, at the
last meeting of the association a motion
was presented to propose to the Commits
stoners the name of Sutton in honor of
Mr.. Sutton, a citizen of Langdon who had
been active in securing legislation author
izing the ereo tion Of the school building
There was no wish whatever to withhold
from the gentleman named the large de-
gree of honor due him for the services rem
dered the northeast in aid of the new
school; but in view of the well-known rule
which has governed the District for many
years not to give the name of a living per
son to a school, the resolution was amend
ed by adding four other names for the con-
sideration of the Commissioners Thus
amended, the resolution was passed, pro-
posing the names of Sutton, Hinton Celle-
baugh, Lowell and Prescott" the resolu-
uon making no comment or expressing any
preference. 1t will be seen, therefore, that
the statement which appeared in the papers
that the name of Sutton was unanimously.
recommended to the Commissioners was
entirely misleading
stu more remote from the fact was the
additional statement that "a committee
was appointed to visit the Commissioners
nf he ofs -
ton'"
The question was raised in the associa-
tion whether there should be a commitiee ee
appointed to wait upon the Commissioners
in regard to these Names or whether the
communication should be made by writing
and the proposal of a committee was re-
Jected' ara the secretary was instructed
TO forward the resolution by writing Thus
the matter stands To date
unaerstai.d that the Commissioners are
altogether indfspcsed to depart from the
established rule against naming a school
after living person., and also that Wit hin
tne city limits. as far as practicable the
SCHOOLS are to be named after the PresI-
derts OF the United States; but that with
regard to the suburbs 10 general system
has been considered.
IN private conversation MIR Superiu-
tchdcnt Powell suggested the plan of nam
ing The schools heaceforth after the states
.asMs the original thirteen alphabet
caily. and thereafter in the order of their
admission to the Union. This method of
designating the schools would seem parti,-.
rfariy appropriate
AS this is the federal city, ard the home.
OF thousands from every state, it would he,
altogether hitting that each state should
1avevrecognized share in our educa tiona /.
interests, and that the youth trcm tl,esej
diverse and widely soStrered localities
should daily imbibc the sentiment that We
are all OF us part Of the one great whole.
aud that each aad every one holds place
equally In Its honOfs as la its respSnsih:h-
ties. IAFAYETrE G. ISn1MIS
> Winthrop Heights