Evening star., 1900-02-27

only between and 8 o'clock, and he was
marked excellent while IN the Hish School.
Improvement Under Present Method.
Cen. Vim. A Birney said that he had OBJ
served the educati methods under the
old and new systems while a trustee. He
thought there should be enough schools to
permit whole day schools in the lower
grades. He believed in eliminating many Of
the higher studies from the curriculum OF
the schools. He said the style OF writing
under the new system was much better
than under the old PLAN The scholars seem
TO have a higher ability in expressing them
selves picturesquely than formerly. He
thought the old system did not make good
spoilers.
Time Lost in Non-Essentials.
Mr. A. R. Serven, chief examiner Of the
civil service commission and chairman OF
the committee on schools of the North Cap
itol and lexington Citizens Association
was called on by Senator Stewart He said
bis committee had given particular atten-
ton TO the work of the lower grade schools
II seemed to his committee that the chief
trouble in the lower grades was the lack
Of simple drilling Much of this work was
superficial, and they did not cover them
in q satisfactory manner. 1t seemed to
bis committee that too much time was de-
voted to music and drawing, and time was
lost In the case of immature minds by in
structing them in geometry and astronomy
He thought such studies were good after
the child had been grounded in the rudi-
ments of education He thought each child
attending the schools should be able to ex-
press himself with clearness. He thought
the children are now able to express them
selves better than they formerly could
In the graded schools ne thought they
should have instruction in geography and
history He approved the work of manual
training in the schools If time Is left
nnl,f -hn tial ha
drawing and music might be taught
Mr. Server thought the scholars should
have text books for all the important sub
Sscts. as most of the children could not re-
tain an idea without drilling. While lee
lures by teachers were good he thought
they should be supplemented by lessons to
be learned from books He said the Com
misstoners had estimated for new twelve
room building. but even with that the vi
cintty Of lexington would be lacking in
school accommodations.
Schools Meet the Demand Fairly.
Mr.. Andrew B. DuvaI was recalled and
said he preferred judging of the schools by
their fruit When he was a boy the public
schools of this city were in disrepute; they
were known as the poor schools" and peo-
pie who could afford to send their children
to better schools did So Now, he said, the
schools are vastly improved, and although
he has sought to send his children to the
best schools and would pay for their edu-
ca don II necessary, he sends them to the
public schools as the best he can get. They
are getting practical educations and learn
about tangible things. He thought the pub
He school system fairly met the demand for
practical business education He thought
the scholars of today spell as we'll as
scholars formerly spelled. The public
schools are incomparably better, he
thought. than the private schools. He had
sent his younger children to private schools
. short time when they were very young,
as he wanted them to have good deal of
freedom and not to be under discipline. But
he regarded the public schools the very
best. They had entered the public schools
at the third grade.
Mr.. Duvall said he regarded the work Of
the high school as very fine His own son
had entered Princeton University from the
high school with only two months of study
given to preparation for his examination.
BE favored the higher education of chill
dren by the public
There was applause as this statement was
made Instead of talking about cutting of
the high schools he believed in building up
she lower grades He said he wanted to
protest against such remarks as had been
made in the form of criticisms of a high
school system
To Get Best Teachers.
Mary Church Terrell said the way to get
the best teachers in the lower grade was
to change the system Of increasing salaries.
She suggested that teachers be marked ac-
and she favored promoting them in salaries
without sending them to higher grades.
She defended the trustees from attacks
that had been made on them. She said they
are called upon continually by-teachers and
others and thought they should be paid.
Her Grandmother'. Method.
Clara B. Colby spoke commendingly of
the public school system of this city. She
said she had been taught to read by her
grandmother before she knew the alphabet,
and since that time the educational system
had been coming to her grandmother's
method She had not heard any one advo-
cate the alphabet before they learned to
read for a long time until she came to this
bearing.
DR.. Cronut said he had been misunder-
stood In regard to his attitude on the high
schools He wanted Congress to provide
for primary education first and to have a
compulsory educational law before going
Into higher education with the public funds
Presentation of Views Invited
AT R:30 o'clock the hearing was ad-
j0urned and Senator Stewart said he would
Ike all those who had not had chance to
speak TO write to him, giving their views
on the system of education in the lower
grades