The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-14
sAvANNAH'S FINE SCHOOLS.
VETERAN SCHOOL COMMISSIONER
OPINION OF THEM.

Hon. Hosea b. Perkins, for Thirty
Years school Commissioner of New
York City, Visited the Savannah
schools in Company With Superin-
tendent Ashmore and Cnndidly Ex-
dressed His Surprise at the Excel
Ience of Both Buildings and
Scholastic Finds Great Improve
ment in the City in Fifteen Years
Hon. Hosea B. Perkins. a prominent
citizen of New York and for thirty years
Connected with the educational affairs of
that city as school inspector and school
commissioner, left for the North yester-
day after spending couple of days in
the city.
1t was Mr.. Perkins first visit to sa-
vannah in twelve years. Fifteen years
ago he was here and delivered a lecture
vAefore the Georgia Historical Society on
Robert Burns, being introduced by the
late Gen. Henry r. Jackson. Three years
later he visited Savannah and was en-
tertained together with other New York
friends, at banquet at the Screven by
the late Eugene Kelly.
notwithstanding he has severed his con-
uection with the New York Board of Ed
ueaton, Mr. Perkins still maintains a
lively interest in educational matters He
was accompanied by his son-in-law, Mr..
Ethan Allen, a lineal descendant of the
old Vermont hero. Mr.. Allen happens to
be friend of Mr.. Lee Roy Myers, and
as the latter is member of the Board
of Education 1t came about very natu-
rally that Mr.. Perkins was brought in
touch with Supt. Ashmore, by whom he
was taken in charge and shown through
some of the schools of the city The
schools visited were the Chatham Acad-
envy and the Henry and Anderson Street
Schools.
When seen by Morning News reporter
Mr.. Perkins expressed the greatest pleas
ure with the condition of affairs which
he found in Savannah, and more especially
with regard to the schools. There has
been a wonderful improvement since I
was here last" he said THE city has
grown greatly its streets are well paved,
which was not the case when / was here
last and Improvement is noticeable on
every hand. At the steamship wharf
where we landed I could hardly believe
my eyes, the change had been so great
IT seems to me that the last time | was
mere Lldt lfle ldfU1T& was ndr1-
ly more than river bank Now it is
one of the most magnificent pieces OF
wharf property l ever saw and with evil
dences of a tremendous business on every
hand.
Your school superintendent, Mr.. Ashs
more, was kind enough to take me TO
some of the schools" said Mr. Perkins.
Il must say that l was really surprised
at their excellent condition. AS a native
of New Hampshire and having always
taken great interest in the affairs of
my native state, and with a connection
of thirty years with the school affairs of
New York city and state, 1 feel that I
have some acquaintance with the subject
of schools. Candidly, l must say that l
was surprised to see such excellent school
buildings. The two new buildings in the
southern section are the equals of any
thing of the kind. to be found in any of
the cities of similar size or even larger
in New York and New England. The
possession of such buildings is a credit
to your city and to the good judgment
and enterprise of your people,
IT was as much impressed by the splen-
did discipline maintained in the schools as
/ was by the handsome appearance of
the buildings I have never seen better
discipline anywhere. The children were
very respectful and the teachers evidently
know their business. Doubtless some credit
for this is due your superintendent.
was very nuch pleased indeed TO ma him
a man thoroughly up to date in his pro-
fession in every respect He is abreast
of the times and Savannah has prize
in him which she could not afford to lose.
81 was pleased, too, to see that some at
tention is paid to the ornaments ton Of
school grounds" said Mr. Perkins. THE
days of bare, cherries surroundings for
schools belong to past age. Even in
the remote country schools of the North
some attention is paid to the improvement
of the surroundings"
Mr.. Perkins had but one criticism to
make. Throughout New York New
Hampshire and many other Northern
states the American flag flies constantly
from every school building. He takes
some credit for this to himself. this Gus
tom having been inaugurated by him in
New York and New Hampshire many
years ago. He thinks the custom one
which should be followed all over the
land.
Mr.. Perkins is an old line Democrat
He was a friend of President Franklin
Pierce and has known practically all of
the leading politicians and newspaper
men of New York for many years He
has handsome home at Washington
Heights with Charles OConnor James
Gordon Bennett and other distinguished
men for near neighbors, and although an
old timer, still keeps in close touch with
public affairs.