The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-13
STATUS OF THE SCHOOLS.
.rur. ,sHMORE's REPORT ON LAST
YEARS WORK.

,..t,-PubIic schools Regard
81 by the Public with
,...rc,sinE FavOr-But Little
,r-uoncy Among Pupils-They
bind Attendance PIeasant-A Mat
.r of ttegret That There Are Not
Greater accommodation So That
an children Might BE Admitted.
4-- r-irtv-third annual report of the
-.+4,.s OF Savannah and Chatham coun-
,5s year 1S97-9S-has been submitted
~, srrt Ashmore to the Board of Educa-
ton.
amer referring to the increase in the
--,sr53nce Of the schools that has come
.tasr with successive years, Supt. Ash
,.,rs saws: There seems to be a tendency
an the part of the pupils not only to
,rsud school more regularly during the
,..,r but also to continue till the close
If t-e term. Among the several causes
(which tend to produce these results is
jonhtess the increasing favor with which
mir schools are regarded by the public
I'm This day of educational progress but
few VIII deny that the public schools in
their oreanzation equipment and man
.sement are far superior to all others, to
saw nothing of their advantages in point
Of public economy.
"A strong effort has been made not only
10 increase the efficiency of the schools
IN every possible direction but also to en-
list the willing interest of the children in
the actual school work. A school room
should be a pleasant place, and while
activity and effort are absolutely essen
dial in all forms of true intellectual and
rhysical growth, the best conditions of
mental development in school work are
not at an inconsistent with cheerfulness
and that happy feeling which is a natu-
lal Characteristic of the young. One of
the most striking differences between the
modern schools and those of the 'olden
time is in the relation which exists be-
tween the pupil and the school. AS a rule,
the pupils now like to so to school, be
cause they find there that the conditions
are in harmony with their natural i'm
pulses and interests Truancy, which in
many other cities is a serious problem, is
with us a rare offense. Occasionally some
external childish temptation overbalances
the sense Of duty to the school, but the
certain machinery of the system soon
overtakes the offender and seeks to apply
the remedy through reformation"
The superintendent takes up various
matters pertaining to the schools, discuss
ing them briefly and in manner to place
existing conditions clearly before the board
and the public. From health and SANTA
ton he proceeds to a discussion of the
i school accommodations of the city, saying:
Like many other cities of our country,
Savannah is confronted with the problem
of providing more school room for her
rapidly increasing population. During
the past year there were a few white chill
dren and quite a number of colored chill
dren who could not be admitted into the
schools for want of room. These are con-
diuons likely to produce dissatisfaction,
and in time to become a serious factor of
danger TO the public, for it is .INell known
that ignorance and crime go hand in hand.
As risht-knOwing is a necessary prerequi-
site TO ri5ht-dOing, the true greatness and
prosperity Of a nation depend upon the
education of the people. During the next
Year steps have already been taken by
the beard to meet the demand for school
accommodations as far as the means
placed at its disposal viii admit, and it is
10 De hoped that in the future this very
fenous problem viii receive the consider
auon 1t deserves at the hands of the Coun-
i ~ Commissioners and grand juries"
Inc results of the school census for the
city and county that was taken last
spring are given by the superintendent In
MS report. 1t shows the school popula-
ton that is of children within the ages
oI and IS, of the city 10 be 12,216, of
"Aom 5oS2 are white and 1854 are col
ufed. For the country districts the popu-
i1lon is 1892 of whom $50 are white and
9@5 are colored. The total school popu-
latIon of the city and county is thus IT,
4S OF whom 6,491 are white and 10,717 are
colored
Inc country schools, of which last year
ueLe We're twelve for white and 26 for col
offd children, are dealt with. Forty-one
eaeIeIs nave charge of these schools dur
iis terms that range from six to nine
"IouthS. Inc total enrolment of white
.HuaIen was 615 and of colored children
I,'-9, making total of 2 1888 Of the ply
sivdl condition of the country schools tho
suPerinlendent says: aside from a few
sood buildings owned by the board. these
scnoois are taught in churches and pri-
e''e rooms which are often very uncom-
,oLt4oIe IN cold weather and absolutely
, U"H, IN every way for the purposes of ed
Ul'uon' He continues by saying, how
- mat there is prospect in store of
051ltr country school buildings
~; ing to the High School, the super
""eAoent says: 1T is a matter of regret
uiat The financial exigencics of the board
,Daue u necessary fast year to fix a tuition
w vi $Io a year for the High School. This
neaUs1re had the effect of reducing the
n r 9Iiinent by rs This decrease of course,
To- IL necessary to diminish the teach
,b loIce and correspondingly to diminish
r e annual cost of operating The school,
~ Is TO be hoped that at no distant day
W., t.g BOARD VIII be enabled to remove from
, nae Voots of our High School a barrier,
' men though apparently small, has the
e3,, lraDie effect of denying a High School
ro 49, non to those very pupils who need it
ira for it," i''
c Cup enAtendent Ashmore refers in a very
commentary manner to the efforts of
tbe racAers during the year, and describes
e1o Noilnal work in which they have been
nos, 'seo. lie devotes a portion of his re
l nv 70 me death of Miss Alice May White,
IN ol the teachers of the Massie School.
u 'Ne mortal speaks most excellently of
",g Young woman.
n " report closes with a discussion of
H. curse of study that was pursued in
NJ nools' telling of it's advantages and