Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23
Notable In School History.

superintendent OF ScnOOiS
Notable in School History.
Among the teachers of the former days
who were notable in the history of the
schools we may recall the names Of John
T. Thompson. who for a period of forty
years rendered an inestimable service 70
the cause of education in South Washing
ton: Margaret Amidon of the same section,
amiable and beloved; strong John Thomson,
long at the head of the schools Of the first
district; Samuel Kelly and the Henshaws
in the western part of the city: Hugh Me-
Cormick William w. McCathran and
Charles e. Hilton. in East Washington, and,
later, Henry P. Montgomery and Nathaniel
p. Gage of fragrant memory.
"As we look backward over an interval
of hundred years and read again the story
OF the planting Of those two unpretentious
schools for the education Of the poor chill
dren. we find that by the very terms of the
act which ordained them they have been
forever associated with the life Of the ma
ton, for one was to be east of the Cap
itol and within half a mile Of 1t, and the
other within half mile OF the Presidents
house.
But there was. after all, little in their
simple annals that could have been deemed
prophetic Of the extent and completeness
of our public school system as it exists at
the present day.
I'm 1905 there were two schools with an
enrolment Of less than fifty pupils.
Hundred Years Later.
''In 1905 there are 1.47s teachers and
$3.50 pupils.
"In place Of two plain wooden structures,
fifty by twenty. costing less tnan 5000 each
where were gathered q lew neglected
youths. designated in more than one off,
cial report as paupers. to be taught the
simplest rudiments of learning from the
primitive textbooks Of that period. there
stand 1874 modern school buildings archi-
tecturally attractive, lighted, heated and
ventilated according to the most recent
standards Of school hygiene. many OF them
equipped with adjustable seats and desks
Of the latest patterns and representing
valuation of more than 100000 These
are presided over by superior body OF
teachers, most of them having been trained
In normal schools and not few being uni
versity graduates, under whose instruction
sit, side by side, the children of the rich
and Of the poor the children of the highest
officers of the government and those of the
humblest citizens, all participating freely In
the enjoyment of educational advantages
as good as those provided by any commu-
nifty in America.
Democratic System.
Neither is It an idle boast to claim that
no system of common schools in the coun-
try or the world Is so democratic in It's alb
solute equality of opportunity for all. re-
gardless OF race, nationality or social posi-
ton, as that of the District of Columbia.
This fact was strikingly attested two years
ago when the Mosely commission was visit
Ing the capital. Certain members OF that
distinguished body Of English educators.
when told that the children of the highest
officials in public life were attending the
common schools of Washington, inquired
with some solicitule whether the particular
schools thus patronized were not SO safe
guarded as to insure the attendance OF
what they termed select class, and ex-
pressed great establishment when informed
that the schools In question were open to
all the children of their respective neigh
borhoods who happened to be OF school
age and otherwise qualified.
'.Our organization for elementary and
secondary instruction Is at last complete
from the kindergarten to the normal school.
II 1t be suggested that our curriculum Is
too inclusive and ambitious, the answer is
that 1t has not even yet attained the broad
scope of that permanent institution for the
education of youth which was the dream
of jefferson and his co-laborers."