Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

sonata, Z sharp minor; Laragto, allegretto
presto.
Vocal solo-(a) Conradin Kreutzer, in der
Ferne F; CD Schubert. Am Nicer ION the
Sea-; (c) Schubert, Ungelduld Qmpatience).
elmars; OBJ Danko Pista. Kossuth Lagos
Patriot Hungarian Folk Sing
Piano solo-(a) Heller, preludes: Vivace
Ga Ia Teniers; Little serenade. Question
Pen Sketch, The Bells; (b) Chopin, valse
(by reques).
Vocal solo-schubert: (a) The Brook; (b)
The Linden Tree; (c) Loves Message.
Dulcimer solo-Danko Pista, Hungarian
dances
Piano solo-G. A. Rossni-Overture to
Wilhelm Tell Cby requesD.
Superintendent Stuart, who has been en-
gagged during the past summer on in
quiry into the history and development of
the District school system, has prepared as
partial result of his researches, the fol-
lowing notes:
The first organic act establishing the free
school system passed by the Washing
ton city council, December 8, 1904
The first board of trustees, thirteen in
number, consisted of George Blagden, Rob
ert Brent, William Brent. Joseph Bromly,
William Cranch, John Dempsie, Gabriel Du-
vail, Thomas Jefferson, Nicholas King
Thomas Monroe. Samuel FL. Smith, John
Tayloe, Thomas Tingy
Their first meeting was held August 5,
1905, in the Supreme Court room.
The first president of the board was
Thomas Jefferson. then President of the
United States
The first two schools were to be located
one east of the Capitol and within half a
mile of it and the other within half mile
Of the Presidents house.
The first buildings occupied by the West
ern School was on the corner of 18th and l
streets northwest, now 100 l street.
The first location of the Eastern School is
not known, although shortly after its estab-
lshment and for many years it occupied the
site on which the Brent School now is, at
nf md lotrn +l-rrr
The first teacher of the Eastern Free
School was Rev. William Bentley; of the
Western Free School, Richard White
The salary paid was $500 year, "out of
which 1t was the duty of the teacher to pay
for the rent of the school house, for the
fuel consumed, for all other expenses incl
dental to school, and for such assistant
teachers as may be necessary"
These hard requirements led to a fire.
quent change of teachers.
The poor children were to "be taught
reading, writing grammar, arithmetic and
such branches of the mathematics as may
qualify them for the professions thew are
intended to follow; and they shall receive
such other instruction as is given to pay
pupils as the board may from time to
time, direct; and pay pupils shall, besides,
be instructed in geography and In the
Latin language"
The schools were in session six days in
the week. Including Saturday.
The first schools were Supported bv an
appropriation of 81, 500 derived from tax
on slaves, dogs, licenses for carriages and
hacks, for ordinaries and tayerns for re-
failing wines and liquors, for billiard Ia
bles, for theatrical and other amusements,
and for hawkers and pedders."
The board In 1897 authorized the erection
of two school houses, mot to exceed fffty
feet In length and twenty feet in width, to
cost not more than 81 200 each.
The first colored school was started In
1907. This was a private school,
The first public school for the colored
people was established in 1852
The first recorded attempt to introduce
manual training was in 1928 when the
board asked the council to authorize the
employment of a female teacher in the
Easter,t school to instruct the girls in
knitting and sewing.
The first instruction In vocal music was
given in 1915
The first normal school was established in
1873.
In 1873 drawing was taught for the first
time in the schols.
The first high school was organized in
1875 and was known as the Advanced
Grammar School for Girls.
In 1877 was organized the. Advanced
Grammar School for Boys"
The two were united in 1880 and in 1882
occupied the new Central High School build
ing.
the Amidon.
A statement by the commissioner of edu-
cation, discussing matters pertaining to his
Office for the fiscal year 1905 shows that the
number of pupils enrolled in the common
schools during that period was 16, 256 03S !
or 20 per cent of the entire population as
estimated by the census bureau. The ae-
tual average number of days attended by |
each pupil enrolled reached 1902 days.
The commissioner declares that the num-
Der of pupils enrolled shows how far the |
school system reaches the people. Besides
those enrolled In public elementary and |
secondary schools Q6,256,03 and colleges
Q1SG20 students1, 1.370,244 in private ele- |
mentary and secondary schools, and 1872 |
479 in normal and other professional schools |
and manual training schools 1850, 800 pu- |
pills in the aggregate, the commissioner says
there were pupils enrolled in special insti- |
tutions, more or less educational In their |
character and more or less of practical |
business character to the number of 500, |
1o1, making grand total of Is, $50. sol.
The board of faculty advisers of high |
school athletics, as reported In The Star last |
Tuesday, have made the qualifications for |
membership much more strict. The follow |
ing rules were adopted
No tie games shall be replayed
No student shall be eligible to compete |
in any championship contest who has
against him one or more conditions in ma
jor subjects; provided, however. that no
pupil shall be debarred from participation-I
because OF ono condition received during