The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-20

a lively discussion Of the report recently
made by the Senate Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia relative to the schools
Of the District was precipitated in the
Senate yesterday by Mr.. Mason, who said
that the report had just come to his notice
and that he desired to protest against it.
He said he had learned that, while alb
sent from the city. an amendment had
been incorporated in the District Appro-
priation bill to provide for decided changes
in the public school system of the Dis
trict. and that he was not at all in accord
with the proposed changes.
My knowledge Of the schools Of Wash
ngton,' said Mr.. Mason. is derived not
only from report. but from personal ex
perience, and l have no hesitancy in say
ing that l believe the system here to be
one of the best in the world. The Super
intendent is efficient and faithful, the
teachers are well versed in their duties
and are all hard workers, and the pupils
are as intelligent as can be found in any
State in the Union. The report is a re-
markable thing in that it goes after the
public school children Of Washington and
asks them a great number of questions
on subjects relative to which they have
had no training"
Mr.. Mason said that everyone knows
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 three
per cent Of the words given them and
that. in his opinion, If the members Of
the Senate were TO be formed into
class and given those same words to spell
their average would be five or six per
cent lower than that Of the pupils had
been.
Senator Stewart suggested that the
school question was not before the Senate
and that when it came up for discussion
he would have something to say upon it.
There is no doubt about the Senator
having something to say when this ques-
ton gets before the Senate" retorted
Senator Mason. but this matter was put
through on an appropriation bill. | thought
there was some legislation pending on this
subject. but / since find that there wac 10
such pending legislation. I will make
point Of order against this amendment IN
less ! know Of some reason for SUCH amend
ment, which l do not now understand"
Mr. Mason said he regarded it as unfair
these children published Il would have
been better. he thought if a list Of the
words they had spelled correctly had been
given. He did not believe that any Sena-
tor would himself want to be subjected to
such an examination as had been given the
boys and girls Of the public schools. Mr.
Mason said he WIS not well acquainted
with the superintendent Of the schools and
had not spoken to him for a long time. He
had never interfered much with school
matters, but had contented himself with
furnishing a fair share OF occupants for the
schools He had a representative Of his
family in almost every branch Of the
schools and he considered these schools
highly satisfactory.
Mr. Gallinger called Mr. Mason's atten-
tion TO the fact that two reports relative
10 the schools had been submitted. and
asked him if he had read the first one
Nj Mason made 10 direct reply. but said
he could see no reason for the proposed
changes in the school system.
Mr.. Stewart interposed the remark that
when the subject Of the public schools of
the District came up for regular discussion
he would be prepared to give additional
reasons why there should be a change in
the existing system.
IF the Senator has any concealed weap-
ons about him" said Mr. Mason. with
which to attack the management Of the
public schools, he ought to make the fact
known and not keep them concealed
Heretofore" said Mr.. Stewart there
has been no reason for bringing all my
arguments to bear. Everyone except the
Senator from Illinois has been convinced
that there was a necessity for legislation
TO correct certain evils now existing in the
IL 1Fr D. lot Harur 9 Frvv
Their arguments are necessary I Will bring
up the heavy artillery at the proper time
and give you some evidence regarding mat
tors which have come to my knowledge and
which l had not heretofore considered it
necessary TO mention
Objection being made by Mr.. Lodge to
q further discussion the matter went over