Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1913-03-09
PERSON IS 1 IAUDED HIGHLY the First President of |ashington's Board of
 Education.
Lr1.v DISCOVERED
ronud in "J0urnal" Vow Put ,,ov in ROard of Education
 Safe.
fpv Jonathan Winfield)

(By Jonathan Winfield)
 ,hington. March 9.-Thomas
 |con was the first president of
 ;ngton's Board of Education.
 fact was not generally known
 recently. when former Superin- ht A. T. Stuart, of the local
 department accidentally dis
 ed "The Journal of the Pro- hgs of the Board of Trustees of
 astern Free School for 1804," in
 it is set forth that MT. Jeffer- vas the head of the board. The
 had been stored away with doz- other books and pictures, in an
 t forgotten closet of the Wal School. Where they came from
 w they got there no one knows,
 Journal now is securely hid hway in dark compartment of |fficial safe of the Board of Edu- in the Franklin Building. It's
 ious old book which is allowed the light of day only upon rare
 lions, and then only under the )nal care of responsible officials.
 Is musty old record, brown with bnd worn from much careless Ming before it's true value was
 Tn, is about thirteen inches long.
 inches wide, and an inch thick.
 bound in half calf, and the leg hcript and lofty language found een it's sacred covers would |e many a college graduate of the lnt day, notwithstanding that the bedings were written in days
 boys eductaion was usually Bht completed when he could h write and cipher.'
 ben the seat of government was Jed permanently in Washington in many mechanics and laborers needed for the erection of public |ings, the laying out of the streets general work connected with city ling. Some of these men had P families to support. and pay ols were out of question for the lren of the majority.
 le city authorities had no means heir disposal for supplying acco- atlons or employing teachers. yet town fathers" fully realized that education was necessary for children of the workingmen and [lrst step toward public education taken when the population num- less than five thousand. Chil-
 Whose parents were unable to tultlon were to be taught read Writing, grammar and arithmetic necessary funds to be provided by ax on slaves, dogs, theatrical and amusements" and by individual ributions.
 lomas Jefferson, then vice presi- or the United States, contribut. So hundred dollars and was elect. ist president of the Board of Edu. a' Few people of that day ever aaed that the children of the flu. presidents would be educated iL iowly' free school. Jefferson m ms contribution sho. Fly after clty Council, in 1894, passed 2 'utlon entitled, An Act to Estab' ana Endow a Permanent Institu. TOT the Education of Youth in the or Washington"
 esldent Jefferson acknowledged ''ectlon to the school board in thu ,"'ue letter to Robert Brent, its fman:
 .ecelve with due sensibility thes, ''s Of confidence from the cit,
 ' ana from the board of trus :, auu ask the favor of you to ten ,. ul my just acknowledgements.
 Acerely believing that knowledg 'a0'es !, the happiness of man, ever be disposed to contribut, ueaVors toward it's extension ' me instance under considera " Willingly undertake the du ,.. posed to me, so far as other o.. ouht obligation will permi 'ention to them.
 ut.., you to accept my friendl. <. .'O1s and my assurance of re s' and great esteem.
 "TH0MA INTERPRETATIONS,