The times., 1897-06-17
Clever Work of Public School
Pupils on Exhibition.
REMARKABLE SKILL SHOWN
Commissioners Wight Opens the Ex-
hibit With Complimentary Re-
marks-Proud Parents aud Teach
ers Throng the BuiIding-Speci-
mems of Handicraft.

but on this occasion the building No
1918 street northwest was secured 70
the purpose and filled with the handi
work of the bright children of the city
Yesterday the parents and friends o
the boys and girls viewed the resuiti
ress which has been made was most
gratifying to everyone. Teachers anC
pupils alike seem to have felt the spui
OF action, and they have bent every eff
fort toward bringing together interesting
exhibits for the inspection OF the visi
tors. Although the affair is in measure
entirely impromptu, nevertheless it sur
passes by far anything of the sort eveI
shown here.
When the exhibit opened yesterday morn
ing, Supt. Powell addressed those present
with few pertinent remarks upon the
object OF the exhibition, and then spoke
about the satisfactory manner in which
everything had been arranged
This exhibit" he said, shows what Is
the District Of Columbia IL is not an ex-
position of tI,e best work Of the schools,
but shows exactly what each pupil does or
is expected TO dc. One thing in particular
| wish TO emphasize. and that is that all
that You see here today has been collected
and arranged within fifteen days. our oh,
ject was to secure the general run Of what
our children do and not their best of prize
efforts For my part, am much pleased
with the success OF the plan, and IL con
vinces me that weare making rapid str rides
i'll the direction OF Improvement.
At the close OF his address Nh. Powell in
troduced Commissioner Wight, who re
marked:
"Of all the branches of municipal gov
ernmeut, that branch relating to public
schools is the most important, because it
is subject Which deeply concerns every
citizen. or the various branches of public
instruction, the question of manual train
ing is most vital one and worthy of the
most profound consideration. The op-
portunites for its development have been
decidedly limited in the District. yet de
spite this Disadvantage, its growth and
improvement have been very great and
exceedingly satisfactory.
we realize that IL deserves much more
enc0ura cement from Congress than las
been given it, and we hope 10 secure Ia a
short while a sufficiently large appropri-
alton to admit OF the erection OF a building
exactly suited to The needs OF this branc.iof
instruction. In case we attain our object,
it is extremely desirable that the building
3e located in some central portion OF the
city, easily reached by pupils FROM all
sections.
THE work here exhibited has been very
gratifying TO me. and has only tend ed TO
emphasize my opinion as to the need of
such an institution ar I have mentioned
g entiernen OF the school board, and ladies
and gentlemen. now have the pleasure To
declare this exhibit opened"
Mr. Whelpley, the president OF the Dis
trict school board, was the next speaker
His address was very brief. After vel
coming those present, he expressed his
great qualification at the improvement
shown by the children. 1t was the more
pleasing, indeed, inasmuch as the whole
affair was almost impromptu.
The priacipal'eXhibits are compositions,
clay modelling, sewing, drawing, manual
training and the work of the pupils of
the technical course at the High school
The wood and iron work attracted the
most visitors. Some Of the boys show
writing desks Others inlaid toxes. Others
still have devoted themselves to the max
ing of more pretentious objects One
bookcase and desk, standing
near the door, is especially worthy Of
mention. 1t was made by an eighth-grade
COY, but would easily pass as regular
piece of furniture a handsomely carved
and fnlaid tabourette is displayed in the
likewise made by an eighth grader
In the technical department the hoys
are doing work which compares favorably
With the freshman course in some OF the
arge colleges and polytechnic Institutes
The first year class has a very creditable
,xhibit of wood turning The second,
bird and fourth classes, however, have
lone the most admired work Among the
-esuits Of their skill aIt several turning
sthcs, twist drin grinder and head
took for turning lathe of remarkable
A four-horse power engine |
md an electric dynamo capable Of geneT
ting enough energy for sixteen lights
ire shown in the window.
The boys are now beginning TO make even
he tools with which they work and lis
lay several glass cases full.
Another branch of high schOpI work which |
; very meritorous is the drawing There
re several charcoal sketches on the walls |
which display real finish and appTecla- |
lon Two or three water color stu,ics are |
lso good One, still life picture, is |
plendid in color and execution. In the !
iwer grades a number of pieces of clay |
lodeling are placed about
The girls display sewing, and the little |
DTS in the first four grades fancy WORT |
decided Innovation is water c0lcring |
y these youngsters. They are Taught |
rom the first year they enter school, and |
S result acquire an appreciation for
Olor at a very early age.
There is one color picture among the
,Hrth grade work which gives indica-
on that there is at least one embryo
rtist in the public schools. 1t shows a
otato and red rose apple. streaked with
reen. The little artist, whoever he or
le may be, has not only drawn wei, but
re coloring is almost true to nature.
The Committees that have taken the
lhibition in charge are composed OF the
blowing gentlemen:
On decoraton-SupeTvi Principals
reeman and Janney.
On nvitation-Supervising Principals
ark, Gage and Keene.
On reception and general management
Principals Stuart, Fair weather
Id Patterson
aiiors' Strike Practically Over.