The times., 1899-10-11

A meeting of the board of trustees of the
public schools of the District was held at
5 o'clock yesterday at the Franklin School
building. In the absence of President Muir
ply, of the school board, Judge Job Barnard
occupied the chair. designations of the
following teachers were rendered and ac-
cepted: Elizabeth c. Early, Florence Dev-
lin. Madeline Blandy, C. E. Luebkert, !. c.
Burn. and Ella J. Riley. Leaves of absence
for three months were granted to Miss A.
L. Ambrose Miss Merriam Bangs, Miss
Cornelia Lazenburg Miss Mary NJ. MARI
Miss c. II. Dwyer Miss Hall, Miss Darling
ton. and Miss Foster.
The order of the District Commissioners
in regard to the closing of the public
schools on October 3 for the celebration in
honor of Admiral Dewey was read by the
secretary. In response to a question by
Judge Barnard, it was stated that all of
the public schools had been closed on that
day.
Communications were read from the Dis
trict Commissioners and from William
Tindall, Secretary to the Commissioners.
in regard TO the exact Interpretation of the
law adopted TO prevent children of nom
resident parents from obtaining free edu-
cation in the District of Columbia public
schools. The point which had been raised,
il was stated. was as 20 what extent a
parent must have occupation in the District
in order 10 enable his children TO enjoy
free education. II was stated that the
cost Of tuition per grade for children OF
non-residents, as submitted in the report of
Superintendent Powell. would be acted
upon by the auditor, and that he would also
determine the method in which the tuition
should be paid A letter from B. S. Nc
Birney, a student in the second year, Busi-
ness High School. residing in Alexandria,
Va, was read He stated in his commune
cation to the District Commissioners, which
was referred TO the board of trustees. that
his mother is employed in Washington, and
that he has relatives engaged in business
and residing here. The rule, he stated,
would prevent his completing his course
in the high school. 1t was agreed that the
board could not take action in the matter,
and that enquiry into the occupation OF
Mrs McBirney would be made.
Admission to the Normal Schools.
The application OF Miss Lydia Draper for
admission into the Normal School, which
had been favorably passed upon, came up
for consideration Miss Draper is a grad
uate of Columbian College and is entitled
TO admission TO the Normal School under
a recent amendment to the rule in regard
TO the eligibility of candidates. Trustee
Harries explained that there were at pres
ent five students in the Normal School who
had entered from colleges and he thought
that limit should be placed upon the
number who could be members of the
school from that source. He thought il
was dangerous and not altogether fair TO
those who entered the Normal School
through the high schools. On motion Of
Trustee Jesse Wilson, the application was
submitted 10 the consideration of the COM
mittee on high and normal schools.
superintendent Powell Speaks.
Superintendent Powell stated that the
schools had opened with a very large at
tendance and that the work was pro-
crossing satisfactorily. The question of
the attendance of the children of nom
residents had been a hard matter with
which TO deal the superintendent said
The question came up with every applica-
tion for admission TO the schools, and a
separate discussion had to be made each
time From the neighborhood of Benning
there had been more applications for ad-
mission 10 the schools this year than ever
before. He thought that through the pub
lication of the rule preventing the children
Of non-residents from entering the District
schools more people in that vicinity had
become acquainted with the fact that their
children were entitled TO enjoy free edu-
cation in the District. Superintendent
Powell stated that when the question came
10 him for decision he settled it, if possi-
BILE in favor Of the child
Trustee Brown, of the colored schools,
submitted the name of Miss Annie Lewis
for teacher in the colored kindergarten.
The investigation committee had reported
that the education OF Miss Lewis was rot
equal TO that obtained in complete course
in the high schools. II was decided to
allow the question TO go over to the next
meeting of the board
Admissions From Private Schools.
Trustee Jesse Wilson made motion
that pupils of the Friends Select School be
admitted to the high schools on the certia-
cate of the principal, Prof. Thomas w
Sidwell letter requesting this action
from Prof. Sidwell TO Francis r. Lane
director of the high schools, was read
and Mr. Wilson stated that the request
had been approved by DR.. Lane, and that
the latter had stated that high standard
was maintained in the Friends Select
School. The motion was strongly opposed
by Trustee Earries, who said il was dan
gerous precedent to take. 1t would not be
long. he thought, before sectarian schools
would se granted the same privilege. He
thought that the result would be. II stu
dents Of private schools were admitted
to the high schools on the certificate of the
principals OF the former, the expenditure
OF 80 per cent of the appropriations for
schools on the high schools, and this would
not be fair to the pupils of the graded
schools. Judge Barnard thought it would
not be a wise thing TO do. and Superin-
tendent Powell said it was a question
which should be considered carefully. The
question was referred to the committee on
high and normal schools.
More Ground Wanted.
Trustee Wilson submitted for the con-
sideration OF the board project TO pur-
chase triangular plat of ground ad-
joining the Addison School, with an area
OF 1000 square feet, which would cost 80
cents per foot. The purchase OF the lot
would do away with a constant danger to
the pupils OF the Addison School, high
embankment a few steps beyond the door.
when the children leave the building. The
lot would be converted into safe play
ground The sentiment of the board was
that the lot should be purchased, if pos
sible, under the appropriation.
The selection of Miss Louisa Haywood as
music feaqhar- in the ninth :pnfh and