The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-23
MR.. RARNEY's ADDRESS.


MR.. BARNEYS ADDRESS.
The first address of the evening was de-
livered by Walter H. Barney. Esq, pres
ident of the school committee. Mr.. Bar
ney announced as his subject THE De-
velopment Of School Administration i'm
Providence" He spoke especially of the
trials and difficulties which were encount-
cred, long since In the establishment of
free schools in this city.
1--WE have become SO accustomed TO
consider the public school as prime ne
ceSsity and its perpetuation as closely al
lied 10 the maintainance Of free institu-
tions that we can hardly appreciate how
difficult II was TO establish free schools
In the old town of Providence" he de-
ciared Continuing he said: LAS early as
1863 the proprietors voted to set apart
certain lands for school purposes In 1896
they voted TO set off a lot on Dexter 9
lane, now Olney street, on which 10 build
a school house. Whether this was built
or not we are not certain. but we know
that about 80 years later another lot was
obtained on Main street, opposite the
Court House Parade.
This was set off for school purposes
and a school house built upon il. This,
so far as we know. was the first school
house built in Providence.
TO CARE FOR TOWN SCHOOL
"In 1852 Joseph Olney. Eseck Hopkins,
Elisha Brown and John Mawney were APP
pointed a committee 10 have the care of
the town school house and 10 appoint a
master to teach in said school house. This
appears 10 have been the first school com
mittee and is the precedent on which
committees were elected by the town
meeting for so years thereafter.
''In 1867 a strong effort was made in be-
half OF free schools by some of
the Weather citizens headed by that
grand old Quaker, Moses Brown.
again I'm 17s5 under the leadership OF
President Manning, the town meeting
again voted In favor OF establishing fl go
schools The same vote was passed by
town meetings in l7el-l792, and 1875 but, in
each instance the town council failed to
carry the vote into effect probably be-
cause funds were not provided.
'In l76S a company OF so proprietors
erected a school building on the location
of the present Benefit street school house
"The lot was given by Captain Joseph
Whipple and the building was named
'Whipple Hall
THE same year lot was purchased on
Meeting street by the town, in conjunc-
don with "A company OF proprietors
"A school house was there erected, the
town owning the lower story and the pro-
prIators the upper. This building was
University, while its own buildings were
in process OF construction. the college u.s.
ing the upper, and the University Gram
mar school the lower story.
ANOTHER SCHOOL OPENED.
After the college gave up the building
the town opened a school under the di'
rectlon OF a special committee, the mas
ter receiving his compensation from thC
narents OF the children Nho attended.
This was the condition OF the schoo
question when, in 1888 tho Providence
Association OF Mechanics and Manufact
,irere was induced 10 take hold OF ths
subject by John Rowland. who may bs
properly called the Father OF Ere,
schools I'm Providence" Although n bar
her by trade Howland was a man ot
more than ordinary intelligence and force
OF character"
From this point Mr. Barney outlined tho
aggressive work of John Howland In hi'
efforts toward the establishment OF free