The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-05
SCHOOL DEDICATED
FORMAL OPENING OF NEW 3sTB
STREET BUILDING.
NEW SCHOOLS IN TEN YEARS.
RESULTS ACCOMPLIsHED SHOWN IN
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER MYERS.

New buildings Had Been Erectcd-
and What Additions Made 10 the
Old During the Last Decade.
Supt. Ashmore Discussed the
Growth of the school Population.
Ringing Educational Addresses
From President Mercer and Mem
hers of the school board.
Under most suspicious circumstances
and in the presence of many of those to
whom the cause OF education in this city
is nearest and dearest, the new Thirty
eighth Street School was formally dedi-
Gated yesterday afternoon.
The exercises were held in the school
room destined for the use of the princi-
pal, beginning at 1870 o'clock The room
was crowded and many of those who wish
ed to attend she exercises found it i'm
possible to get inside the doors and had
to cortent themselves in the halls and
the adjoining office.
President George A. Mercer OF the
Board OF Education, presided at the ex-
ercises and there were present in addi-
ton to him Vice President J. r. Saussy,
A. Stovall. Henry Blum, 3. a. Denmark,
Dr. r. ]. Num-, Or. NJ +. Dunn of the
Board Of Education, State School Com
missioner 6. r. Glenn. Rev. DR.. D. J.
Waller of England, Alderman D, r.
Thomas Mr.. r. b. Reppard, Rev. j. l..
Thomas. MI r. b. Reppard. Rev. J. J.
scully, Rev. DR. James Y Fair. Supt.
Otis Ashmore, Asst Supt. Frank Fergu-
son and number of others, prominent in
the educational life of Savannah.
The exercises were begun with prayer
by Rev. DR.. Fair, pastor of the Independ-
ent Presbyterian Church The prayer was
an eloquent and impressive one.
The opening and welcoming address was
made by Col George A. Mercer. president
Of the board. Col. Mercer began by quot
ing the inscription to the memory Of
Christopher Wrenn, the architect of st.
Paups Cathedral in London, which is
craven on "A tablet in that magnificent
structure. Translated the Inscription
reads; IF you seek his monument, look
around you" Col. Mercer said that the
inscription might be made to apply to
the work that is being done by the Board
of Education. Such school buildings as
that in which the exercises are being held
are the wOrthiest monuments that could
1 be raised to the memory of the school
board
Col. Mercer particularly commended the
action of the two grand iures Of the Su-
perior Court, through the liberality of
which the erection of the school was rem
dered possible. He closed with an i'm
passioned tribute to the blessings OF edu-
cation, appreciation of which. he said
would grow through the centuries until
the rising sun which represented the ge-
MUS of education had reached It's zenith
There it would continue to stand. diffus-
ing It's radiant blessings upon a wider and
wider circle.
Mr. Lee Roy Myers, chairman Of the
Committee on School Houses, next sub
mitted his report. 1t was an interesting
discussion of the works of construction
that have been done by the board during
the past ten years. 1t was as follows;
II have the honor to submit herewith 81
brief summary of the work of the Com
mittee on School Houses One half of a
city block, having frontage of 24O feet
comprises the site of the Thirtv-eightb
Street School; this land was purchased in
1894 for $500, which amount was paid in
several instalments from the general
FUNDS of the board. In the spring of 1899
the grand jury appropriated $4,000 for the
special purpose of a building on this site
and, with faith in further help, work was
begun.
THE very satisfactory results of the
Anderson Street School. determined your
committee in the selection of Mr.. Norr-
man to adapt the plans of that building
to the requirements of a north front lot
and the problem has been acceptabIy
solved. We have here a twelve room
school Of the same dimensions as the one
on Anderson street, all rooms having good
light ventilation and southern exposure;
besides a sufficient change in architec-
tural design to avoid the slightest feeling
Of monotony. 1t is due to Mr.. j. r.
Eason, the contractor, to say that his
work has been conscientious and pains
taking.
THE steam-heating plant, installed by
Messrs. McKenna & Welsh, is yet to be
tested but good results are promised
This building, including fences, out build
ings, plumbing, heating and architects
fees, has cost $26,95l.
1T may not be Inappropriate. on this
occasion, to review the building operation
of the past decade. During this period
there were added to the city schools the
buildings on Henry street Anderson
street, a four-room annex at st. Patrick's
and six rooms at the East Broad Street
School. New toilet buildings and plumb
ing at Barnard street, st. Patrick's and
Massie, have placed all of our schools in
the best sanitary condition.
I'm the country, good buildings have
been erected at Bethel, Boomingdale.
Bona Bella, Isle of Hope Monteith, Poo
Ter, South Newington, Spring HILL Thun-
derbolt and White Bluff
ut is estimated that 2725 pupils have
been thus provided with school accomoda-
lions and the constantly increasing at
tendance seems to justify the wisdom of
your work. 1t it also proper to mention.
that new buildings have been erected at
Bethesda for the use Of the board
THE building now being constructed by
the trustees of Chatham Academy will
in lieu of the nineteen rooms destroyed
equitable terms
THE public is to be congratulated that
I'm the near future ample school facili-
ties will be at their disposal. Attractive
buildings. bright class rooms and hygie-
mic surroundings have an influence for
good which cannot be measured by their
cost"
Vice President ]. Il. Saussy was the
next speaker. Mr.. Saussy devoted him
self I'm large part to a eulogy upon the
work done by the Board of Education
during the trying times that followed the
close OF the Civil War. when every sur.
rounding circumstance seemed to presage
disaster and there was scarce anywhere
a ray Of hope
Superintendent Ashmore followed with
a discussion OF the special adaptnbility
Of the new school to its purposes follow
ing the line that was recently outlined in
an interview with him, printed IN the
Morning News.