New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
WORTH OF NIGHT SCHOOLS.
PLEA FOR THEIR USEFULNESS MADE
BY THE TEACHERS.
WHERE THE WOMAN OF SEVENTY AND THE
CHILD OF NINE STUDY THE MULTPLIcA-
TON TABLE SIDE By SIDE

TIoN TABLE SIDE By SIDE.
TN visiting the various night schools Of this city
said OF the instructors to Tribune reporter
last evening ''the question might readily be asked,
Where at what age does ambition begin or end?
Every onward movement of society that tends TO
develop and call forth moral power must have
a foundation stone the education Of the masses.
Hence many eminent found ready to lend
their aid TO the Of free education. Andrew
Carnegies recent bcouest of $500 O00 supplemented
by 100000 from Messrs. Cooper and Hewitt, adds
s5O0OO0 to the endowment fund of the Cooper
Union. that gnihcent memorial.
Education releases from criminal environment
thousands. where police surveillance reaches hun
dreds. Peter Cooper. with his keen foresight and
knowledge Of existing conditions, gained partly
from personal experience realized the necessity OF
a provision for the education OF the poor and mid
die classes and Cooper Union exemplihes his broad
and philanthropic views
There are about two thousand students re-
ceiving benefits OF this distinguished institution
The recent requests will provide increase in
this number.
The standard for admission to the night schools
has been high. but Notwithstanding this the trus
+ tees authorized an advance in order that least
one year in the course could be saved. This admits
of the enlargement of the courses of instruction.
and also enables larger number of students to
receive its advantages.
The preparatory knowledge for admission
now be gained in the higher night schools, which
are under the supervision Of the city Board OF
wniCn
in cordial relations. But many other night
4 schools are needed supply the demand. The
Cooper Institute is unique in many features 1t is
absolutely free makes no distinction in nationality,
sex color or locality. In class there are among
the attendants five girls-two Japanese, an Indian
and a negro and Of the pupils was from Bridge
port, Conn. coming regularly from there TO be IN
+ attendance at night school. One among the most
prompt attendants in the art night school is
young woman whose home is eighteen miles away
/ including a ferry trip
The fortieth annual report of the Cooper Union
/ states:
In the future there will be available from time to
time the income of the trust fund, which, as was
STA in annual report, would be trans
Iere9 Il cs Of the founder of the institution
/ The public viii be glad TO know that the deeds OF
that in the Of time. IL is TO be hoped not
/ prematureiy, fund producing an income oI Ir0In
S25 600 to so 900 year will become available for the
/ REDEMPTION of the building from the necessity OF
TentinE anv portion of IL and thus secure the ap-
I struction, intended by its founder W When TINS
fund shall have become practically available the
actual contribution in money Of Peter Cooper and
his descendants viii amount 10 about g. os0 ana
will be sufficient 10 carry on the various depart
ens Of the pspio4 provided ed Tor Tooo IN ms beb tHs
menJs 1psI.
Most Of the public schools throughout the city
have night schools yet the number is totally in
! adequate TO supply the demand Long lines wait
the sidewalks some time before the hour loT
opening, eager TO be first, and many are turned
What sad commentary on the progress and
[ advancement of the American Republic, SAID a
/ wealth and almost nnumerable millionaires, that
humble seekers after knowledge are turned away II
the various night schools Of this city they would
see chance TO cover themselves with glory and
leave monument to their memory as great ana
I enduring as Peter Cooper's.'
In one Of the night schools in the most denseIy
populated section downtown was seen a most
pathetic PletaTe little white h5 HaTeG r6,e Gla womaR, man
Gated the cares and trials and but few joys Of be-
was seated beside bright faced little boy of about
nine years. They studiously and intently
learning the multiplication table t9getner r,,,t+
said .be frs Tbire fbaf strikes one in connection
are all of recent growth, and the second Is that
! architects Of their fortunes. and during their
lifetime they spent the money honestly gained for
70 be distinguished from colleges. in that colleges
have been founded largely upon money left TO
wOMANs VIEW.
In looking over the translations OF Epictetus"
! remarked one Of the women night teachers, we
| find the following: Choose rather TO leave your
children well instructed than rich, for the hopes Of
/ the learned are better than the riches Of the
ignorant
about eighteen hundred and fifty years ago. Epicte
ts oLe u 9I 9e 51 " ii!S M
own fortunes. and in himself Illustration Of the
etnSq and he mower of his cIIItiva+ad nteleSr III
80 ~ ~ 49, +Fa
Stole philosophy which the world has known. To
attain this high station he not only devoted him
self the most severe studies but he also re-
( nounced the luXuries and what most people con-
slider the pleasures OF life in order TO have leisure
for mis- studies
ers striving for education in New-York City to-
day-young men and young women who COM
PEELED through stress Of circumstan to labor
/ through the day maintain themselves and assist
their families yet at night, in city with
known temptation and attraction, eagerly present
themselves the various night schools for in
( struction-
ITO insure good mothers there must he the
means and ample means, TOO Of a good education
provided for young girls. Better leave the boys Of
Z a generation without learning II the women must
be doomed to ignorance. But in grand free land
provision may and should be made for educating
every child. and all be trained understand their
duties.
men and women Of the next. No degree Of mascu-
7 line cultivation make up for lack of mental
and physical development in women. Her first right
there viii be longer any question about her
( rights. Woman must be the motive power of all
human progress. She must advance step by step
I with
LAS philosophers, recognizing the laws of the
/ material and moral universe, philanthropists
seeking the elevation Of kind. Christians
/ having faith in the goodness and wisdom Of God
and in the temporal and eternal salvation OF His
( children. should work earnestly IN the educa-
ton and development Of the masses
THE DAYS GOSSIP.