Evening star., 1899-01-02

30,557 are white and 169S3 are colored chill
dren- The enrolment is divided as follows: {:
White schools. day, 29311: night, 1,246
Colored schools, day. 15.3S7: night. 1886.
Compared with the previous year, there is
an increased enrolment of 1 ,703 pupils, or
a percentage of 3.96.
Patriotism is al a premium in the public
schools, as is shown by the fact that one
of the trustees Gen. Harres), two of the
teachers, one of the ianitors and a number
of the pupils of the High School voIun-
their country at the outbreak of the war
and served throughout its progress with
credit and distinction.
Local Organizations.
During the past year the various organ
izationS in the District of Columbia have
continued to prosper and add to their men,
bership and financial standing. An i'm
portant addition to local organizations was
made on November 26 when the Business
Mems Association was formed. 1t started
with membership representing leading
citizens of the District. and has a phenome-
ral growth. The Y. NJ. G. A. has in the
past few days purchased the c. A C. club
house and will shortly be occupying this
handsome and commodious home. The
Masonic fraternity in the spring held Il
grand fair to secure fund for the
erection of new temple in the District.
This enterprise resulted in netting $4,000
for this purpose The work of preparing
for the new temple has progressed steadily.
The twentieth annual meeting of the Ma
sonic Veterans Association of the District
of Columbia was held on January ), and on
the day following the Columbian University
Alumni Association held it's annual meet
ing. with a large attendance. The annual
meeting of the Humane Society. held Janu-
ary H. showed continued interest in the
work of that organization. The headquar-
tiers of the Homeseekers' Associa ton were
moved to this city early in the year. The
n of ln N1p DrN'S-
Relief Corps, Department of the Potomac,
G. A. R., was held January 2S, and during
the war with Spain this corps of patriotic
women did valiant work in helping to
provide for the needy soldiers passing
through the city. The Civil Service Reform
Association helds it's annual meeting in
January. when abundant evidence was
given to show that the friends of civil ser
ing their doctrine. The annual dinner of
the Gridiron Club was brilliant affair.
The first annual meeting of the Audubon
Society was held on February l. and since
that time the society has continued to grow
in membership and influence. The thr
teeHth annual dinner of the Association of
Fire Underwriters was held February l.
The 1hlrteth annual convention of the De-
partment of the Potomac, held beginning
February 3, was an extremely interesting
affair. and Arthur Hendricks was elected
&C mmander of the department two days
later. George c. Whiting Lodge of Masons
y
February 10. The Knights of Pythias were
extended by the organization of Justus H.
RathbOne Lodge, No. 2o. on March Il. The
League celebrated with great
the fiftieth anniversary of their
organization.
District Parks.
The parks of the District have been MAIN
tafned in good condition. Col. Bingham took
occasion during the year to call the atten-
nj To fac ba
dren are not taking the advantage of the
parks to which they are entitled by the per-
mission that had been granted them 10
make playground of the green lawns.
Considerable effort has been made to Sc
cure many needed Improvements for the
geological Park. especially to improve the
approaches to that place. The last report
of the Rock Creek Park commission stated
that the park had conferred no appreciable
Deneht on surrounding property.
Some Changes Noted.
\ number of changes have occurred dur
ing the year among prominent people in
terested in the affairs of the District The
death of Senator Morrill, has removed one
who has done much to beautify the capital
city. Judge McComas, so well and favora-
bly, known here, was advanced by the Iegis-
lature of Maryland to be a United States
senator. Judge kimball was reappointed.
Hay returned to his home to
be Secretary of State. Mai. Benjamin But
SO long resident here died while
of patents. Rev. Dr. Elliot.
rector OF the Church of the Ascension was
accorded largely attended reception by
his congregation on the occasion of his an
niversary as pastor of that church Cen
VIM. Booth. Commander Booth-Tucker and
Mrs Booth-Tucker were here in February
ana were given q hearty reception every
where they went. Mrs. Frances H. Burnett
was granted a divorce in May Father Bo-
iDDminip'S
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his
priesthood. Lieut.. Col. VIM. M Black En-
glneer Commissioner, went to the war and
upon his return here after hostilities had
ceased was ordered to Havana to act in
conjunction with Col. Ludlow in the sauita-
ton of that city.
District Hospitals.
There has been much activity in hospital
circles of the District during the year 1SDS
the Medical Society beginning a widespread
discussion January > by recommending va
rious reforms as TO alleged abuses in the
different institutions. Investigating doctors
We're appointed, and on February 10 made
their report, recommending many changes
in the various systems in vogue. The an
nual meeting of the board of governors of
the Episcopal Hospital was held January
II. February I Secretary of the Interior
Bliss asked to be relieved of the control of
Freedman's Hospital. In the District Su-
the effect that no government appropria-
ton could be made available for the use of
Providence Hospital, that being an institu-
tion under sectarian control. The Court of
Appeals reversed this decision, however
April f. June u Freedmens Hospital COM
planned that Howard University was en-
croaching on the territory of the former in
stitution. A board of visitors severely criti-
ciSed the management of Freedmeu's Hos
pital while Chief Surgeon Williams was in
charge. The annual report of Freedmens
Hospital was made September % and that
of the Emergency was submitted four days
later. The annual report of st. Elizabeths
was made October 10 1t has been suggest
ed that Columbia Hospital occupy a new
site. December a bill was introduced in
the Senate providing for a municipal hos
pital. The Emergency Hospital Home for
Nurses, at the corner of 18th and d streets,
the gift of Mrs. Phoepe A. Hearst, was
opened with appropriate ceremonies.
Deaths of the Year.
The year past has been marked by the
deaths of a large number of notable per-
sons. IL Washington alone during the last
month of the year three prominent men of
national reputation passed away. These
were Gen. Calixto Garcia, the renowned
Cuban leader who died soon after his ar
rival here from Cuba. at the Hotel Raleigh.
Senator Justin Smith Morrill, of Vermont,