The Washington herald., 1912-09-29

is a curious old book, which is allowed
occasions, and then under the personal
surveillance of responsible official, who
guards it with Jealous watchfulness.
II is the journal of the Proceedings
of the Board of Trustees Of the Eastern
Free School," and dates back to 1904,
when the City Council passed IAN act 10
establish and endow permanent instl-
tuition for the education OF youth IN the
city of Washington"
This musty old record. brown with age
and worn from much careless handling
before its true value was known. is about
thirteen inches long, eight inches wide
and an inch thick. 1t is bound In half-
calf. and the legible script and lofty Ian
guage found between its sacred covers
would shame many a college graduate
of the present day, notwithstanding those
were times when a boys education was
usually thought completed when he could
read, and write, and cipher"
The book in question was accidentally
discovered by former Supt. A. T. Stuart
while he was supervisor OF the Capitol
Hill schools. 1t had been stored away
with dozens of other old books and pic
lures in an almost forgotten closet OF
the wallach School and where they
came from or how they got there no.
body knows.
When the seat of government was per-
manently located in Washington in 1SG
many mechanics artisans, workingmen
and laborers We're needed for the cree
ton of public buildings the laying out
of streets, and general work connected
with city buildings. Some of these men
had large families tc support and pay
schools were out of the Question for the
majority of their children.
The city authorities had no means at
their disposal for supplying accommoda-
lions or employing teachers, yet these
town fathers realized fully that edu-
cation was necessary for citizenation,
and took the first step toward public
education when the population num-
bered less than 5000 Children whose
parents were unable to pay tuition were
to be taught reading, writing, grammar
and arithmetic. the necessary funds to
be provided by "a tax on slaves, dogs
theatrical and other amusements' and
by individual contributions
Jefferson Contributed 500.
Thomas jefferson. then President OF
the United States, contributed 500, and
the first president of the Board of Edu-
cation was the President of the United
States. Few people of that day ever
imagined that the children of future
Presidents would be educated in the low
ly free school. President jefferson ac-
knowledged his election to the presidency
of the School Board in the following
letter to Robert Brent, its chairman:
81 receive with due sensibilty these
proofs of confidence from the City Coun-
Gil and from the board Of trustees, and
ask the favor of you to tender them my
just acknowledgements.
Sincerely believing that knowledge
promotes the happiness of man, I shall
ever be disposed to contribute my en-
instance under consideration will will
ingly undertake the duties proposed to
me, so far as others of paramount obli-
CATION will permit my attention to them.
Il pray you to accept my friendly
salutations and my assurances of great
respect and esteem.
THOMAS JEFFERSON"
Robert Brent Esq, Chairman, &c"
The first meeting of the board of trus-
tees was held in the United States Su-
preme Court room at the Capitol. and
the scope OF the work outlined by this
pioneer board was even more remark
able than some of the projects of mod
ern days. Not only Were primary and
secondary schools to be established, but
George Washingtons desire for a ma
tional university at the National Capital
was considered. An interesting argu-
ment for the establishment of such a
college in Washington is contained in
the following circular letter soliciting
funds from patrons in all parts of the
country:
The parent who sends his son to
Washington will find for him in his
Representative to Congress a guardian
and friend, who. during a large part
of the year. will be his associate, will
observe his progress in his studies, su-
perlntend his morals, and perceive the
real condition and character of the SEM
mary, and thus be able, from time to
time, to satisfy parental inquiry and
solctude"
But this fondly cherished university
has never materialized.
At that time the "Tyber" an open
creek flowing through the city, sepa-
rated the eastern from the western sec
ton. The new board provided for two
schools-"one to be situated east of the
Capitol and within half a mile of it, and
the other within half a mile of the
Presidents house.
Plain Brick Structure.
The Eastern Free School was located
at the northeast corner of Third and ID
Streets Northeast, and was a plain
brick structure, fronting about twenty
five feet on D Street. Among old-ttme
residents it was always known as Nc
Cormick's," and well might it be thus
known, for Rev. Andrew T Mccormick
was a member of the School Board for
many years, and served as its president
through nineteen successive years. Hugh
Mccormick, its master, neither spared
the rod" nor spoiled the child in his
efforts to implant the three RS" upon
the minds Of Capitol Hill youths, and the
records show that he was a stern dis
ciplinarian, finally prevailing upon the
board to publicly expel pupils of bad
character or incorrigi5le disposition"
The Western School was located at the
southwestern corner of Seventeenth and
l Streets, but few years later a COM
mittee endeavored to obtain from the
President Of the United States the use of
the stable at the corner of Fourteenth
and G Streets for the housing of the
Western School. The Presidents ANSWER
was that the said stable would be other
wise occupied during the remainder OF
his term, but President Monroe regarded
similar application more favorably, and
"Jefferson's stable" as 1t came to be
known, was formally occupied with elab-
crate ceremonies, great emphasis being
placed upon the immense benefits to the
poorer classes of society. Yet it was in
"Jefferson's stable" where the sturdy
Scotch schoolmaster, Strong John Thomp-
son, insisted upon high standards of
achievement for many of Washington's
most useful citizens, former Supt Stuart
being among the number.
Children of the early days went TO
school on Saturdays as well as other
week days. eight hours being a school