The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-15
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Review OF Their History Before the Vet
Gran Citizens Historical Association.

The Veteran Citizens Historical Association
held its FIRST fall meeting Thursday afternoon
at the Mathewson Street N. r. church, Presi-
dent Dennison in the chair. Secretary Cook
read the report OF last meeting John ;.
Monroe was reported sick and Secretary Cook
appointed visiting committee. Mr.. James
Snow was announced by the president for the
November speaker. on "The History OF the
Dorr War" and Secretary Cook for December
on THE Platform ana Pulpit orators, East
and West" and DIR. Guild for the January
meeting.
Hon. Il. w. Bicknek was then introduced by
President Dsnnison and delivered an address
on "The Growth OF the Public scnool System
OF Providence While the other colonies had
established free schools as early as 1867, and
Swansea and Rehoboth bad schools IN 1901
where John Miles taught Latin. Greek and
Hebrew, II was as late as lsOO whom Proyi'
dence made her first appropriation for
schools. The reasons tor this late action
wore reviewed 10y Mr.. Bicknoll, who gave
credit TO James Manning, Enos Hitchcock
James Wilson and John Rowland as the real
founders of the public school system. lie
gave an exhaustive review Of the educational
history OF the state aud of Providence Tor 30
years from its first settlement 10 the pres
ent. Robert Lenthal was the first school
master IN Newport in $780, and William Iur-
pin in Providence in 1854. Schools there
were of some sort and he recit sd the causes
political, religious and tnancial-of their
indifferent character, through the drcary
desert.waste up TO the times of Moses Brown
and John Howland OF a century ago. In lsCB
there were four schoolhouses, each with 2uO
pupils, no graduation and the city expense
5000. About this time there was great
awakening, ami TO Brown University and the
munifcence OF the Brown families and its
founders was due great stimulus to educa-
tion and free schools. The two states, too,
Massachusetts, on one side md Connecticut
on the other. with their public schools were
a great spur and encouragement TO Rhode
Island. John Rowland and Tristan Burgess
were a committee To Boston TO study the
public schools To Horace Mann and Mr.
barnard great credit is due. In 1872 twelve
schoolhouses ana high school were built.
costing 500 600, and the people were showing
intense interest in the public schools.
Mr.. BiclSuell eulogized in the highest terms
Superintendent Daniel Leach and Professor
Greene, who labored so successfully ana
conscientiously for the success and best
welfare of tho public schools OF Providence,
and in complimentary terms Of the efforts
and laburs of the present superintendent.
From one schoolhouse in 1896 on Constitu-
tion hill, we now have them in every ward of
the city. The attendance in 1895 was 1850
pupils, and the sum total cost S903, ,O69. This
certainly is wonderful gain and improve
rnent from the past. our schools may have
some defects. which will be eliminated in the
future and such changes effected as shall be
for their highest interest and advantage.
The public schools of our city are the pride
and hope of our fair city and compare well
with those Of any state in the Union.
Mrs. Chaffee moved n vote OF thanks TO Mr..
Bicknell for his elaborate and interesting, ad-
dress, which was passed. Further remarks
were made by Messrs. Guild. Snow, Denni-
son and others. and on motion the association
adinnrned