The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-11
Mr. Wtlitem,re Spoke In Favor Of the
Present Night School System.
COST OF WORK OF TRUANT OFFICER
Expense No. eankupllng Tho City Francis Gala
CHER Said Those He Represented Desired 10
Have Sociology Taught in Public Schools.

The hearing given by the special
school investigating committee I'm the
Municipal Court room, City Hall, last
evening. was very slimly attended only
few female teachers from the pri-
mary and grammar schools, two or
three teachers from the High schools.
Dean Snow of the Women's College,
| Gilbert T., Whittemore Francis CAL
| lagher and the newspaper men being
on hand. Mayor Baker occupied n seat
with the members of the committee.
The hearing was called to order by
Mr.. Cornelius s. Sweetland who stated
that in the absence Of the chairman Of
the committee, Rev. James q. Vose, it
| fell TO his lot TO preside. In addition to
! Mr. Sweetland, the other members of
| the committee present were Prof. Davis
OF Brown University. and Mr. NJ. j.
Harson. Miss Doyle, the secretary OF
the committee, was unable to be pres
| ent.
Chairman Sweetland briefly stated
the purpose of the hearing, and then
recognized Gilbert T.. Whittemore, vs-
fting principal Of the evening schools.
! who spoke OF the evening schoC and
their conduct. The Providence evening
schools had been visited by representa-
tives of many New England cities and
/ also by a number of prominent gen
tlemen of this city, and the consensus
| of opinion had been that the evening
schools were ably and creditably con-
Quoted, and the impression had gone
abroad that Providence had some pret-
ty good schools.
He believed that Providence had the
very best system for training teach
ers, and other cities had investigated
that system and some have adopted IL.
Providence had the best method of
dealing with juvenile offenders. and he
claimed that no city had more peace
able or more orderly schools than Prov
idence. Mr.. Whittemore then spoke OF
his work as truant officer and as "a
compiler of school census, and he said
that he did not think mat his work was
bankrupting the city. The city of Bos-
ton had three times as many children
as Providence, the number here being
about 10000, and Boston employed IL
truant officers TO do the work. BY his
work on the school census he had
brought into the city treasury from the
state treasury the additional sum OF
ST. 722 in "a year.
Mr.. Whittemore said that he wished
that the people who We're much inter-
estcd I'm law for Juvenile offenders.
would bring about the enactment of a
law for juveniles who are not offenders.
He thought the time had come when
something should be done 80 that chill
dren from to II years of age that are
debarred by law from working i'm large
stores and good clean factories after
attending school for one term should
not be allowed To work in junk shops,
livery stables and to clean liquor shop
floors, as they are now.
Mr. Francis Gallagher next addressed
the committees. He said he wished to
state that he believed that Mr.. White
more was entitled TO great credit for
the manner in which he had admins
tered the duties of his office. Mr. Gal
Ia CHER said those whom he represent
ed wanted to- see sociology taught i'm
the public schools. They also wanted
To see sanitary law taught. and also
attention should be given TO inculCating
the observance OF public and social du-
ties. Politeness should not be neglect
ed, while the proper treatment of ami
mails is a worthy study.
Mr.. Gallagher said that he believed
i'm a higher education. for he was of
the opinion that the High school was
a discoverer of talent and genius. He
was also in favor of the kindergarten
system.
There being no other persons who
gave evidence OF a desire TO be heard
the chairman declared the hearing adj
journed subject TO the call OF the chair.