Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

ment in themselves engage corps OF men
whose time IS occupied largely in original
research and the treasures of laboratories
and museums are annually being addeu 10,
not ONLY for experimental work that is De-
ing pursued, but also incidentally Tor the
instruction of any one whose incllnatloh
may lead him to this Mecca OF learning
The Smithsonian Institution was very
early recognition of the destiny OF the capt.
tai as a center OF influence in tie world OF
could see clearly that the capital OF the
young and vigorous nation was 10 oecoihe
a mighty influence in the future
The social and governmental ATTRACTIONS
of the capital of the dominant nation nave
made themselves felt on a vast army OF
men and women of letters who have CHOSEN
this city as above all others IN us oppof-
tunities for the pursuit OF their WORK iele
they have not only found a great library or
a million volumes, constantly being en-
rIched by accessions, the various priceless
collections of the government. out ABOVE
all they meet congental minds IN every
branch of learning and from every quarter
OF the globe. They meet here men ana
women who do things" who not only con-
ceive great thoughts. but play great parts
in the living drama OF life
A City as q University.
1t is not strange that city SO favored by
natural conditions should have turned on
Il the eyes OF educators looking for Ideal
conditions for the growth of institutions or
learning. and of men and women of for
tune who desire to increase learning by de-
voting to It a part Of their wealth. II
Washington had a prophetic mind when
turned to the subject of education, as he
had In foreseeing the political destiny or
the nation he must have known that,
whether or not his specific suggestions for
g national university In this city were
acted on by Congress, the city Itself would
So ,aff al mil
as these educational conditions become
more and more apparent to the world the
existing schools colleges and universities
enlarge their facilities and students from
all parts of the world become more and
more numerous.
In no city OF the country are there su-
perior opportunities for popular education
than in the capital. The general tendency
Of the city IS shown in the lowest rung of
the ladder. Fifty years ago the common
schools were patronized more largely by
those whose parents could provide them no
better opportunities than by the well-to-do
Even twenty-five years ago there was
dsinclnation on the part of many parents
TO send their children to the public schools
Whether this feeling at that time was be
cause of prejudice against the common
school, or based on Just criticism, there is
today no question about the best school In
which TO start young ideas in their shoot
ing career.
For Rich and Poor Alike.
II the pubic ScnOOlS OF the city were not
free to all the wealthlest parents would as
a rule pay any price in order to have their
children attend them and secure the ad-
yantages that come from thorough or
ganization and careful selection of the
best methods of education. These schools
exemplify in the very highest measure the
salient principles of public education as
conceived by the advocate of the little red
schoolhouse q century ago. They provide
for rich and poor alike, with no restriction
OF any kind. equal opportunities for the Gull
tivation OF the mind, not only in the rudi-
ments OF learning, but in q curriculum that
IA many respects is superior to the fore
most college OF the land fifty years ago.
In these schools boys of all classes, II
there can be said to be classes in them. are
brought together. The boy from splendid
mansion learns that he has no mental
dowment superior to the boy from the
humblest cottage because OF his home sur
roundlngs. Every boy here has demon
etration OF the equal chance for success he
has in life. All form friendships with no
restriction except that OF congeniality
These favorable beginnings of education
are Indicative OF the higher opportunities
that the city offers. Tots in kindergartens
advance to primary. to secondary, and then
90 the higher grades. Twenty-Five years
; ago the high school was added to the edu-
cational system OF the city. and today the
public schools prepare boys and girls for
entrance into the best colleges Of the land.
Still later the more practical turn that is
being taken by educators was manifested
here by the opening OF manual training
schools. and although these schools have
been established but comparatively few
/ years they have been demonstrated of such
I value that every year Congress acknowl-
edges with more and more liberality their
value.
The Manual Training School.
Last year. for the first time, q splendid
manual training school building was appro-
priated for and when completed It viii be
. model Of It's kind in not only the per-
sonnet Of its force Of teachers but also in
1ts equipment It II easy for a boy to step
from the public school to a college, as with
In the city there are several institutions
that are far famed. and yearly enroll boys
and girls from all parts Of the country.
The First Colleges.
The nrst institution established here for