Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19
Neighboring States.
GREATER WASHINGTON.


Greater Washington" the city that is to
be, has as one of the surest guarantees Of
it's future greatness, of its assured pre-
eminence, the present progressive spirit and
comprehensive scope of it's educational in
situations.
Not confined to the boundaries of the city
there is in the whole District an influence
which has made for the incorporation of
centers Of instruction, which in character
and aim are attracting the attention and
study of the ration, and the curiosity and
envy Of foreign powers. Washington has
already become a Mecca to which students
of educational methods from all progress
sive countries reverently journey. Com
ment on the focused school interests with
in the seemingly CONSTRUCTED limits of the
District has been eIoquently made by Ger
man, Frenchman. Belgian. Engiishman.
Chinaman, Jap and Filipino.
Dr. Andrew d. White, speaking of the
future of education in the capital, ascribes
to the seats of learning which must grow
up in this city the peculiarly happy office
of completing the cementing Of the north
and the south. Washington the capital
must necessarily be the meeting ground of
men of all the states and those who are
fortunate enough, he thinks, and they will
be many, to remain in the city-beautiful
must necessarily by contact with the ac-
cumulated individual American types, gain
degree that will make for compact ma
tionalism not as yet known in any section.
The greatness of Washington as ra-
diator of this larger Americanism is made
pronounced by its location upon the Poto-
mac. It is border city, and. as such, is
the center not merely of delegates from tho
country at large, but the common ground
OF the Virginian and all who once looked to
Richmond as the capital, and of the Mary
lander and all who feared for the capture
of the national capital.
That DR.. White Is correct in his prophecy
of the coming scope of the local univer-
stiles Is seen by any one who makes a cur
sorry examination Of the enrolment even In
the great public schools, primary, inter-
mediate and secondary, or of any business
colleges, civil service institutions even
finishing schools. Teachers and pupils alike
register themselves as from all points OF
course at intermissions, well as during
the studious pursuit of truth in the class
room, prejudice and provincialism fade
away.
q
The governmental character Of Washing
tor is the reason for the number and eff
cheney of the civil service institutions and
the peculiar nature of the many business
colleges and schools. These stenographic,
typewriting, bookkeeping end technical
schools, whether limited expansive in
scope. are each compelled 10 maintain
standard demanded by the places the stu
dents expect to fill. The government is a
stern school mistress and requires that
those who are to be eligible for her prem
iums shall have scholarly attainments.
The great public school system, with Its
$4,000 students and more, its kindergar-
tens, practice schools high schools and
manual training shops, Is so disciplined, so
equipped and SO managed that no question
Of caste enters into the minds OF appi-
cants for entrance, and in the District GER
tainly a true educational democracy is al
ready accomplished. Teachers from both
the north and the south are constantly
amazed at the universal use by all classes
OF the Washington public schools
But along with these great sources or
republican citizenship the District main
tains host of institutions with more spe-
cifc and defined aims.
There are for instance the correspondence
associations, devised particularly for those
whose time or age does not permit them TO
avail themselves OF the common schools.
These are boon alike to the busy and TO
the Independent, and many claim that the
absence Of the personal influence or the
Instructor tends to foster seif-reliance
and readiness in emergency which no peda-
gogue-ruled classroom can develop. with
them are the night schools which also FUR
nish to men and women, handicapped IN
various ways. an opportunity for advance
ment.
Washington has population so variously
derived and AFFILIATED with so many diver
gent interests that its educational founda-
lions have necessarily taken on the most
varied character.
Prominent among the so-called private
schools are those known as the college pre-
paratory, where instruction Is given to both
boys and girls, or to either. which fits them
for the scientific or academic courses they
have elected. In this class are the schools
where the future admirals and generals of
the nation are given their first ideas OF
what to expect at Annapolis and West
Point. The bearing and conversation OF
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