The times., 1898-10-22
THE LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
1t Is Suggested That American
school Children VnNeii 1t.

A number of the teachers in the public
schools and their pupils Are considering
the advisability of adopting suggestion
which was made in a communication to
The Times yesterday to have popular
ballot among the school children of the
District to select two or three to go to
Paris in 1900 and participate in the un-
yelling ceremonies of the Lafayette mon
ument, subscriptions for which were So
licited in the schools on Wednesday.
Since the collections for this monu-
ment have been made. the question has
been asked. Who is to be designated to
unveiI it? This is a subject which ap-
parentIy has not been considered at all.
and it is the general opinion that. in view
of the fact that American school chill
dren are furnishing the money to build
the monument they ought to be allowed
to participate in the unyeiling cere-
monies
The plan as suggested to The Times is
for the pupils of the public schools to
place the names of several pupils in nomi-
nation and then vote for those whom they
wish to send to Paris. Incidentally, vol
untary contributions could be made to
defray the expenses of the pupils. Three
pupils at least could be selected from the
army of school children in Washington
and their expenses paid out of the contri-
buttons offered. They could be accom-
panied by some school teacher chosen
among her associates at the heads of the
various grades in the different school
buildings, and a similar contribution
might be solicited from the teachers to
pay her expenses.
The propject seems to be regarded by
teachers and the pupils with great deal
of favor 1t is said that teachers in other
cities are to be consulted, and the plan
may be inaugurated elsewhere. so that by
the time of the unveiling ceremonies each
of the big cities of the country could be
represented by delegations of children. ac-
companied by teachers from their re-
spective localities.
To this party could be assigned the
pleasant duty of unveiling the Lafayette
monument. Exercises similar to that held
in all the public schools of the country
could be held on the unveiling day, and a
distinctly American ceremony held. The
agitation IN favor Oh the PROJECT SetHlS "
be growing, and some definite results are
expected.
There is no feature of the plan which
could interfere with the duties of either
the children or the teachers, for the rea-
son that the trip could be taken during
vacation. and the balloting could be held
outside of the regular study hours.
Superintendent Powell. of the District
schools when questioned on the subject
yesterday, said that he thought the
project was a good one. but asked that
he be allowed time to consider it before
discussing it at length:
Commissioner Wight said: 1.-THE idea
appears to be good one. but it is
matter which must be taken in hand by
the children and the teachers. l can see
no reason why it could not be carried
into effect. so long as ii would not in
terfere with the duties of the teachers
and children. The whole affair could be
arranged in manner similar to that
used in the popular balloting contests
which have been taken in the past for
trips abroad by teacherse The trip would
not only be a pleasantLlonejs but an in
structive one as well. II. the teachers and
pupils decide to take the matter up and
carry 1t through l can see no objection to
their doing so." esIs- @