The evening times., 1897-06-16

Commissioner Wight formally opened the
annual exhibition of the work done by the
public schools of the District at p'elOck
this morning. The large building at 1913
T street no rthwest has been secured for the
occasion, and the work is there shown.
Supt Powell first addressed those pres
ent with few pertinent remarks upon she
object OF the exhibition, and then spoke
about the satisfactory manner ia which
everything had been arranged
This exhibit he said, shows what is
now being done by every school child in
the District Of Columbia. II is not an ex-
position Of the best work of the schools,
but shows exactly what each pupil does OF
is expected 10 do. 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 OBJ
ject was to secure the general run OF what
our children do and not their best or prize
efforts. FoI my part, / am much pleased
with the success Of the plan, and it. con
vinces rne that we are making rapid strides
in the direction of improvement"
At the close of his address Nj Powellin-
trOduced Commissioner Wight, who re
marked:
.'Of all the branches OF municipal gov
erntnent, that branch relating TO public
schools is the most important, because it
Is a subject which deeply concerns every
citizen OF the various brapches Of public
instruction, the question OF manual train
ing is most vital one and worthy OF the
most profound consideration The Jp-
portunties for its development have been
decidedly liInited.in the District, yet de
spite this disadvantage, its growth and
improvement have been very great and
exceedingly satisfactory.
We realize that it deserves much more
encOura cement from Congress than has
been given it, and we hope 10 secure in "A
short while sufficiently large appropri-
alton to admit OF the erection of d building
exactly suited to the needs ofthisbranch OF
instruction. In case we attain our object,
IL is extremely desirable that the build
ing be located ia some central portion If
the city, easily reached by pupils from all
sections.
The work here exhibited has been very
gratifying TO me, and has only tended to
emphasize myOpniou as TO the need ofsuch
an insti tuition as l have mentioned. Gen1Ie-
gentlemen, now have the pleasure to
declare this exhibit opened"
Mr. WheIply, 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
plea sing, indeed, iHasmuCh as the whiIe
affair was almost impTomptu
The exhibit includes rawing, sewing.
composition and the work Of the technica
branch Of the high school. About this ;ast,
the principal interest centeTed. Wonderful
stIides have been made in this depart
ment Of high school work. The course is
under the direction of Mr.. A. ]. Johnston,
who bss been in charge since its beginning
SO well have tie boys advanced under his
instruction, that they are able to con-
struCt electrical dyramOs, Sw ngng Iathes
and even tie toOls necessary for the work.
One piece Of machinery especially at
tfaCted observation II is an engine Of
fouT-hOTse power, constructed entirely 10y
the boys Of the technical course. In the
line Of ornamental work, a number Of
wrought-iron lamps and andiT0ns re
shown.
A Times reporter spoke to Superintendent
Powell upon the subject of the projected
manual training school:
we hope ne said. to secure the con
sent Of Congress for the erection CT this
building at a very early date. We trOached
the subject at the last session, hut were
unable TO secure the S2O0.0OO necessary
to erect such "a one as We cUntemplate'
The committees that have taken the
exhibition in charge are composed Of the
folio wing gentlemen:
On Supervising Prin cipaIs
Freeman and Janney.
on invitation Supervising Principals
Clark, Gage and Keene
On reception and general management
Supervising Principals Stuart, Fairwea ther
and Patterson.
RACING AT ASCOT.