Evening star., 1902-03-11
NIGHT SCHOOLS CLOSE
Interesting Exercises at the
Central High.
MORE MONEY NEEDED
YEAR SHOULD BE SAME LENGTH
AS DAY SCHOOLS.
So Says Superintendent Stuart, and
Tells Of Benefits to Be De-
rieved From It.
MORE MONEY NEEDED

The exercises attending the closing Of the
night schools of the District Of Columbia
last night were witnessed by an audience
which completely filled the large auditorium
of the Central High School. 1t was made
up for the most part Of young folk, great
many being students and those especially
interested in night school work.
Mr.. A. T. Stuart, superintendent of
schools, presided. Among the prominent
persons present were Commissioner Mac
farland and Mrs. Francis. chairman of the
committee in charge of night schools
The program opened with a musical pre-
lude. the first number being a selection by
the ladies' chorus, composed Of pupils Of
the normal department and teachers Of
music in the public schools, under direc-
ton of Miss Bently. The chorus was fol-
lowed by a piano solo by Miss Iva Martin
and vocal solo by Miss Jessie Tabler.
feature of the evening was the highly
interesting entertainment furnished by Mr..
Felix Mahoney and Mr.. Will Chandlee,
whose clever character sketches and car
toons were received with enthusiastic ap-
plause.
Mr.. Gordon's Remarks.
Miss Lydia Tompkins gave a humorous
recitation, after which Mr.. Stuart intro
duced Mr.. J. Holdsworth Gordon Of the
board Of education. who made short ad-
dress appropriate to the occasion. Mr..
Gordon expressed his great interest in the
night schools and complimented Mr.. Ray
Riordon for his excellent work In their
management He said the board was highly
gratif1ed with the accomplishments Of tho
past year. The speaker characterized those
attending the night schools as the real
seekers after knowledge, and commended
their zeal in their efforts to become better
citizens.
ladies' quartet, composed OF Misses
Bessie Cobaugh. Bessie Beadle, Eva Stew
art and Jessie Tabler. sang a pleasing Sc
lection, which was followed by a piano
duet by Mrs. Byram and Miss Marvin. and
a vocal solo by Miss Cobaugh A male
quartet, composed OF Messrs Rench, Birch.
Hicks and Moore, gave number and made
a decided hit.
Just previous to the closing number
which was selection by the ladies' chorus,
Superintendent Stuart made few remarks
relative. to closing Of the night schools.
He said 1t was not because the board of
education considered them less important
than the day schools. but because the ap-
preparation which had been made for their
they had no funds with which to carry on
the work.
On the platform was an interesting dis
play of articles made at the Manual Train
Ing School by pupils which reflected credit
on the young artisans and their instructors.
1t was late hour when the program was
ended, but the audience was unanimous In
expressions Of approval Of the evenings en-
tertainment.
Superintendent Stuart Talks.
Regarding the closing Of the night schools
of the District superintendent A. T. Stuart,
to an Evening Star reporter, today said:
"No good reason can be found for closing
the night schools thus early other than lack
of money to continue them longer. They
have been more thoroughly organized this
year than ever before, and the attendance
and interest of the pupils has been we'll
kept up to the end.
Results have been very satisfactory. 1t
Is a pity that the schools must close SO
soon, but In planning for them we had to
limit ourselves to the appropriation, and 1t
Is easy to see that $500 for teachers and
toward maintaining seven schools with
fifty-seven teachers.
"The board has asked for $4,000 for
teachers and $1,000 for contingent expenses
next year, which, If obtained, will enable
the same number OF schools to run some
weeks longer.
1T Is probable that the present organiza-
ton will accommodate all who may apply
schools and in the night high school next
year, so that any increase In the appropria-
ton can be applied to extending the term
and giving better pay to teachers rather
Should Run as Long as Day Schools.
TT has been suggested that Congress
might provide in the deficiency bill for con-
tinuing the present session to the end Of the
regular school term. This would require
an appropriation of about 5000. Congress
Is in no wise to blame for the present situa-
tion for 1t gave all that was asked in last
years estimates.
'The night schools should begin in Sep
tember and run on parallel with the day
schools to the close of the school year.
People whose desire for self-improve-
ment brings them to the night schools to
toll at their tasks after their days work
Is done In the shop or the Office take a
more serious view OF things than the
youngster in the day school, and enlist the
very best efforts of the teacher in their be-
half.
I'VE should afford them every opportu-
nifty to better qualify themselves for in
telligent citizenship and more complete
living by opening to them all the avenues
to self-improvement which belong to our
great system of education"