Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-19
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Senator Mason Will Oppose the Pro
posed Change.
HIS VIEWS ON TEE EXAMINATION
Senator Stewart Will Present Rea-
sons at the Proper Time.
A LIVELY COLLOQ UY

The proposed change in the method of
| running the public schools of the District
was under discussion in the Senate this
afternoon for short time. Senator Mason
took occasion to say that while he had
been absent from the Senate he understood
that an amendment to the District appro-
priation bill had been adopted providing for
an entire change in the system of conduct
| ing these schools. and he gave notice that
unless he should have evidence to change
his opinion that he would do all in his
power to prevent that amendment becoming
law when the District bill should again
come before the Senate in connection with
the report of the conferees on that measure
What Mr.. Mason Thinks.
Mr.. Mason said that he regarded the pub
lie schools of this city as the best sc hools
| in the world. They were the best schools
he had ever visited, and he never saw bet
ter discipline or more thorough attention
to their duties on the part of scholars and
teachers than he had seen in these schools.
He said that the report on the schools was
very remarkable, as it showed that the
scholars had been asked questions about
which they had no training and about
which even authorities differ.
He said that every one knew that the best
writer's in the United States disagree upon
the very things that the boys and girls
were asked about. He said that the report
had shown that the scholars had misspelled
less than per cent of the words given
them.
Il suppose" said Senator Mason, eff these
boys and girls could come to the Senate
ana put us all in a class and have us spell
words we would stand j or 6 per cent lower
In spelling than they did in their examina-
tion.
1t is true, he said that these bows and
girls mad given in
gard to the formation of government and
to the people who had settled this country
Senator Stewards Suggestion.
Senator Stewart suggested that the school
question was not before the Senate and
that when it should be before the Senate he
would have something to say on it.
There is no doubt about the senator
having something to say when this question
gets before the Senate" retorted Senator
Mason but this matter was put through
on an appropriation bill. L thought there
was some legislation pending on this sub
1ect, but L since find that there was no such
pending legislation. l will make a point of
order against this amendment unless l
know of some reason for such amendment
which l do not now understand"
He said he regarded IT unfair to have
the list of misspelled words by these chill
dren published in the way 1t was He
said he did not believe any senator would
want to subject himself to such an ex-
animation as was put to these boys and
girls. He said ne did not know the super-
intendent of the schools very we'll and had
not spoken to him for long time He had
never interfered much with school matters
but had contented himself with furnishing
q fair share of occupants for the schools
He had representative of his family in
almost every branch of the schools and he
considered these schools of the highest
quality.
Senator Gallinger suggested to Mr.. Mason
that he had before him the second part of
the report on the schools and asked whether
he had read part one
Lively CoIIoquy.
Mr.. Mason did not reply directly to this
question, but said that he would oppose the
amendment unless he could be shown that
it was necessary.
Mr.. Stewart arose, and speaking with a
good deal of feeling said that he desired to
give additional reasons why this amend
ment should be adopted If there was oppo-
sition to it.
These reasons will be ample for all sober
minded people" added Mr.. Stewart
Mr. Mason remarked that if Senator Stew
art had some concealed weapon about him
with which he intended to attack the pub
lie schools and by which he expected to
change their form of government, he would
like to know it.
Mr. Stewart regretted that there had been
no opposition to the amendment and there
was therefore no reason why he should
point his guns at any one. He said that
whenever there was opposition his artillery
would be brought out.
Mr.. Mason suggested that he was readv
to hear what he had to say
Mr Stewart said that sufficient evidence
mad already been furnished to satisfy every
one except the Senator from Illinois
At this stage in the PROCEEDINGS Mr. Io5ea
suggested that the school question was not
before the Senate, and asked for the regular
order