The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-13
CENTENNIAL OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Plan to Celebrate 1t One
Year Hence.
JEFFERSON A TRUSTEE
Fist Buildings Had Four Teachers and
Were for the Education of
the Poor.

One hundred years ago next Decem-
Der Congress. recognizing the impera-
tive need for free education, made pro-
vision for two school houses in the
District to be conducted and main
tanned by the Government. The staff
OF teachers employed in these institu-
tons did not exceed four. The schools
were attended by the poorest children.
They were commonly known as ''pauper
schools"
But in that lapse of time marvellous
change has been wrought Today the
District owns l27 public school build
ings: 1.31 teachers are employed; the
schools have been organized into a great
system OF instruction, and they are at
tended by the children of the wealthy,
well as the children OF the poor A
son of the President is in one of the
public schools.
Centennial Suggested.
In recognition of these great strides
of progress Prof. A. T. Stuart. super
intendent of public instruction in the
District. has suggested to the Board of
Education that it would be appropriate
to celebrate the centennial of the
founding of the free school system in
the District The proposition is now
under consideration, and IL Is probable
that definite plans will be made to hold
such a celebration.
In proposing the celebration, Prof.
Stuart did not suggest a fitting manner
OF commemorating the passing of the
century mark. IL is probable. however.
the anniversary will be celebrated with
special exercises in all the schools and
by a public meeting. The annual report
for 1904-5 will be compiled in the form
of a historical resume Of the various
stages in the advancement of free edu-
cation
The bill authorizing erection Of the
first schools was passed December 8,
1904. The measure provided that one
school house bee built within one-half
mile of the White House and the other
within one-half mile east of the Capitol
The buildings were to be one story in
height
The First Trustees.
The first meeting Of the board OF trus-
tees. now known as the Board of Edu-
cation. met August 5. 1905. Thomas
Jefferson. then President of the United
States. was elected president of the
board The enterprise so pleased Presi-
dent jefferson that he contributed $500
toward the maintenance of the two
school houses
Two other distinguished members OF
the board were Robert Brent, first
mayor of Washington. and Judge VIII
liam Cranch. Two schools erected in
the District since then have been named
after these men
The two pioneer schools were estab-
lished to instruct children whose parents
were unable 10 pay for their education.
They amounted TO nothing more than
charity schools. ana. as said before.
became known as schools for paupers."
The early progress OF the free school
system was not rapid. Time was re-
quired TO interest people in the under
taking. and to prove that IL was sue
ccssful School houses were not erected
with regularity. and the interest was
purely desultory.
The Wallach School.
AS years advanced and the benefits
Of the public school system became
more apparent, Congress made better
provisions for the free pupils. But it was
not until 1864 that attention was direct
ed TO proper style OF building to meet
the requirements. In that year the
wanach School. as modern as science
at that time could make IL. was erect
ed. and proved TO be the beginning OF a
new stage Of advancement.
-Four years later the Franklin School
was built Others have followed with
a measure OF rapidity. until the system
Of public education in the District COM
pares favorably with that Of other
cities.