Evening Star Newspaper, February 27, 1886, Page 2

bo THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY. wae FEBRUARY 27, 1886—-DOUBLE SHEET. CITY AND DISTRICT. THE SCHOOL QUESTION. @PINIONS OF THE CITIZENS. ‘What They Think of the Commissioners’ Pian. VARIOUS VIEWS REGARDING THE PROPER MODE OF GOVERNING THE SCHOOLS—FOLKS WHO THINK THERE SHOULD BE REFORMS— A LARGE MAJORITY AGAINST THE COMMIS- SIONERS, Sran reporters have interviewed many citl- sens for the purpose of ascertaining the pre- Vailing sentiment regarding the proper mode @f governing the public schools. Questions | ‘Were propounded to the gentlemen interviewed With the view of eliciting their preference as be- tween the pian proposed by the Distriet Com- misstoners of rmanaging the schools themselves, with the assistance of a board of trustees, whose funetions would be merely advisory, and the system which has heretofore existed here and whieh provides for a school board to have con- trol of all matters relating to the schools, ex- cept the disbursement of moneys. Below will be found the results of these interviews: { @BAVITATING TOWARDS CENTRALIZATION, “I think the triumvirate bas made agriev- ous mistake,” said Mr. John T. Given, “in| assuming to take the control of the schools. I | am constantly reminded of the sentence | that used to be printed at the head ef the old Globe, ‘Power is ever stealing from the many to the few.’ We | are gravitating towards centralization. Tam iu favor of the old regime in school matters. One trouble bas Deen, I think, that recognition has not been given to native merit in the selec- tion of teachers and others. [ think the trium- Virate made a mistake when they imported a superintendent of public schools. The new superintendent may possess the proper qualif- | eations—I don't question that—but I object to | the thing on principle. Tam decidedly opposed | tothe method the Commissioners pre | Managing the schools. It is a reflectic | Intelligence of the community for the } Bioners to arrogaie to theniselves any such . The idea that we have not pure and Tisinterested ‘men enoush to take charge of schools! I think the management and gov- ent of the schools should be exclusively in the hands of the people, under proper restric as to contracting debts and the disburse- tof money. This reflection cast upon the le by the Commissioners, in assuming to hage ihe details of schools, ought not to be submitted to for a moment. Ihave not given ‘careful attention to the bill now before the Sen- | ate. I would not like tosee those who favor it make the mistake of drifting to the opposite extreme of having an enormous unwieldly board of trustees.” LET THE TRUSTEES RUN THE SCHOOLS, “I am in favor of having a good board of trus- tees and letting them run the public schools,” said Mr. John G. Judd. “I don’t believe in one- man power.” IN FAVOR OF A BOARD ALL THE TIME. Rev. W. A. Bartlett, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian church, said: “I am in favor of a school board for the District schools ail the time. There is a tendency to concen- trate power in the Commissioners and take every thing away from the people. I think the | Commissioners have ail the duties they can | possibly attend to without adding school mat- | ters to them. The board should be enlarged, and in a general way should be representative ‘of the peuple.” OPPOSED To THE ONE MAN POWER. Joseph Shillington says he is opposed to the ‘oue man power. No man should exercise the power of appointing all the teachers of the pub- lie schools, and no three men should do it; this | duty, with others of the school board, is about enough for any set of men to attend to, RXPRESSES HIS REGRET. Mr. John M. Stake, of West Washington, States that he was on the board of guardians of the Georgetown schools when their tacitities were limited, and they were finally forced to gail on the general government for aid, which | was given, since which time the schools’ of the | Distriet have been brought up to the present | high standing. but he best expressed his views | When he gave utterance to his regret as a citizen x payer that the services ofone who has SEES NO OTHER REMEDY. Wm. Pierce Bell states that there had been so | mach wrangling in the old board that he saw | no relief except by somesuch measures as have | been suggested by Commissioner Webb, and he theretore is on the side of the latter. AN INDEPENDENT BOARD NEEDED. Mr. Daniel Breed, of the county, who was one ofthe trustees appointed over the colored schools | in is states that a board not too large, as-in- | dependent of the Commissioners as it is possi bie for a board to be, with the powers to disburse the money, is needed, and they sh entire control over the’ super ers, &c. The board should be tiemen of intellizence and experience, thoro ly competent, the various businesses and p fessions, resented including, if possible, ex-teachers, rep- | thereon—the lawyers for thelr legal knowledge, the physicians for their knowledge of sanitary measures, and others for their prac- tieal business knowledge. NO ONE WANTS A CHANGE. | Rev. L. Stern, pastor of the Washington He- Drew congregation, was one ot the signers of the petition toCongress recommending the ere- ation of @ sehool board with specific powers. “What I think about the controversy is clearly Set torth there,” he said to a STAR reporter. “I think ail matters relating to the schools int a board of for the trustees to be appointed by the Commissioners, ‘Dut all powers with relation to the schools should rest with the trustees when appointed. ‘The schools have been so well conducted and have progressed so well under the board that I do not think any one wants achange. I be-| Heve the people of the District are almost | ‘nanimous in their support of the board.” | 4 BOARD FOR EDUCATIONAL MATTERS ONLY. Mr. R.S. Davis says that the school trustees should have notbing to do with school build- ngs, Janitors and fuel, and should devote their time to purely educational matters, the other matters to be aitended to by olficers, including the superintendent, appointed by the Commis | sioners. THINKS THE COMMISSIONERS MISTAKEN. Mr. J. F. N. Wilkinson, ex-trustee, who signed ‘the petition, says the seboo! board has the right im the controversy. The Commissioners, he | thinks, have been mistaken in their construe- tion of the law by which they claim the right to exercise the powers of the school board. WOT WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF THE comMIS- SIONERS. Rev. 8. M. Newman, pastor of the Congrega- tional chureh, expressed the opinion that there should be @ board of school trustees, given con- siderable discretionary powers by the Commis sioners, who will personally look alter the in- terests of the schools. He thought the Commis: sioners had not the time to attend to the mat- ter, and that such duties did not come within ‘their province. THE TRUSTEES OUGHT To RUN THE SCHOOLS, “I think the trustees ought torun the sehools,” sald Mr. Frederick M. Detweiler; “the Commis sioners have all they can properly attend to now.” ENOUGH EISE TO ATTEND To. Mr. W. H. Tenney, ot West Washington, said: “I have considered the subject, and I think ‘that the Commissioners should have the power ofappointing trustees and the power of re- moval at pleasure, so th: they should have control of the trustees. The trustees should Lave power to appoint ail teachers and dis- burse ali moneys appropriated for school pur- Be and should they Violate this trust by dis- Fsing money Lot appropriated, the Commis sioners should remove them and appoint si that would disburse within tne limits of th Sppropriation. The Commissioners have suffi- cient duties to attend to without undertaking to run the schools.” OPPOSED TO CENTRALIZATION. Messrs. Buckey and Marbury, of West Wash- ington, are both of the opinion that due power sbould be vested with the school board, and there should not bea centralization of power ‘with the Commissioners. = SHOULD Nor BE DONE AWAY wiTH. Mr. Thos. L. Knowles, of West Washington, says that the school board should not be doue way with. IN FAVOR OF A LARGE BOARD. Rev. RR. Shippen, pastor of all Soul's ebureh, said: “I prefer @ good, liberal school board, liberal, I mean, asto numbers. I know there have been some ridicuious differen mong the trustees, and am not surprised that the Commissioners should want Ww abolish the board. But I think the Ce loners bave not the time to attend to school matters per- sonaily, and that the schools should be gov- trued by a board of trustees.” SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY TRUSTEES. “I signed a petition the other day,” said Rev. J. G. Butler, pastor of the Memorial Lutheran ebureh, “for the reappointment of the school board, and am willing to express the opinion that oar schouls should be governed by Decora of trustees. The Commissioners, ir my opinion, have enough to attend to, and they should let school matters rest in the bands of a board of gentlemen specifically appointed for that pur- , BELIEVES IN A BOARD, Mr, John Randolph said: “My deliberate judg- ment is that the sehools should be governed by & board of trustees, who should have the power of Inting ali officers connected with the pot sm ” DOES NOT LIKE TO RUN RISKS. “E would prefer to have @ good school board like we have had in the past,” said Mr. John Gibson. “Ishould think the Commissioners had enough todo now without assuming to the details of the schools a@ pax upon the qualification of teachers. Tue trus- tees may fight among themselves, but as a saank thing, goed comes cut of their Kou Gur schools are among the best in the | cranky ones, Asa citizen, 1 ami | Commissioners) should retain the power of cor- | district to be independent of the other and all | under control of the Commissioners, by@w! o- | as in all other departments of the government, country, and I am not in favor of running risks by attempting new things.” NO QUESTION AS To THE BEST PLAX. “I think the memorial sent to Congress cov- ers the whole ground,” said Mr. Wm. J. Rhees, formerly a member of the school board. “I stand by that memorial. There seems to me to be no question as to which is the best plan of school government. For iy part, I would favor having the school trustees appointed by the judges of the District court, and removing the control of the schools as far as possible from the District Commissioners, All of the troubles that occurred In the schools during my service on the board, were caused by the interference of the Commissioners. The plan the Commis- sioners propose is something unheard of before and extremely hazardous. It would amount simply to this—that the schools would be man- aged: by @ number of clerks and subordinates. Now there can be no question as to whether it is better to have.» board of intelligent rep- resentative citizens to manage the schools, ora corps of clerks and subordinate officials in the Disirict offices.” THINKS THE BOARD SHOULD BE INDEPEN- DENT. “The Commissioners have as much on hand as they can do justice to now,” said Mr. George L. Sheriff. “I think there should be a board of good citizens, to have entire control of the pub- le Ig og og = — at ee not be subject to the Commissioners, bu ngress. Taon't care how the members of {the board are appointed, so long as they are enurely Indepen- dent of the Comusinsigners mack responsible only to the citizens of Washington, The board shold be composed of good, substantial, re- sponsible citizens, business mien, without any roud of the public schools ot the District, and I believe the school board has done a great deal to bring them up to their present standard.” THINKS CONGRESS SHOULD APPOINT TRUSTEES. Col. W. W. Dudley said: “I think the public schools should be governed by a school board, but that it should be larger than the present board, and that the appointments should be made by Congress. The Commissioners should of course exercise a supervising power. I think our school system should conform as near. possibile to those that have proved successful in the larger cities. ‘The board of trustees should be greater in namber in the first place. Con- gress should take the place of the legislature in making the appointments, and the District Commissioners of the common council with 3 supervising power.” DOESN'T SEB HOW THE COMMISSIONERS CAN vo Ir. Mr. Jno. W. Corson said: “The schools must be governed by somebody, and I don't see how the Commissioners, with thelr numerous and varied duties, can possibly give the time and attention that the public schools demand. Under the management of the past few years the schools have been highly satisfactory. The teachers were excellent, und the results of their teaching were most gratifying. My children have not been able to attend school more than half a day regularly for the past year, to be sure, but the trustees were not responsible for the lack of room or teachers. Give us plenty of room and a sufficient number of teachers, and I am sure the management of the schools by the board of trustees will prove satisfactory to the majority of the citizens.” THINKS AN INTELLIGENT BOARD SHOULD HAVE SOME POWER. Mr. H. D. Cooke thought that an intelligent body of men, who were willing to give their at- tention and time toschool matters should be permitted to exercise some power, and the Commissioners should be very judicious in their interference with them, but that they (the Tecting any abuses that should arise. BELIEVES IN CENTRALIZATION. Mr. Charles J. Bell said: “Iam in favor of the Commissioners governing the schools. I agree perfectly with a school trustee with whom I was talking the other day, that the control of the schools should be vested in the Commis- sioners exclusively; in other words, that the power should be concentrated. THINKS THE TRUSTEES SHOULD HAVE FULL POWER. Mr. H. A. Willard expressed the opinion that the schoois should be run by the school trustees He always supposed they were invested with fall power. Ifthey are not they should be. If the Comunissioners are to run the schools they had better become school trustees and give up their positions as Commissioners. IN FAVOR OF BOARDS, Gen. Peter F. Bacon said: “Yes I believe in a school board and ina fire board and a police board for the management of those branches ot the public service, and think they are just as necessary as they ever were. We see the want | of @ board in the police deparument and fire | service. ‘There should be boards clothed with full powers to act when necessary. BELIEVES IN THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. Mr. ND. Larner said that he favored the old arrangement—a superintendent with a prinei- pal and three trustees in each division, each ‘hich means there will be a spirit of emulation between the districts. He was opposed to the placing of all power in aboard of trustees. ‘The Com- misstoners should supervise expenditures here for as the schoois are now governed they cost more than those of Baltimore, which has double our population, FAVORS AN INDEPENDENT BOARD. Mr. Joun E. Norris said we should have a school board entirely independent of the Com- missioners and in full control of the schools from the bottom to the top—in other words, he was in accord with the bill prepared by Dr. Rey- burn and his associates. BELIEVES IN AN INDEPENDENT BOARD. “I have taken but little interest in school affairs and have not availed of the public schools for my ebildren,” said Mr. John A. Baker, “but Iam convinced that @ law providing tor a school board, which shall have exclusive control of the curriculum of the schools, the appointment of teachers and supervisors of the schools, the selection of sites for school build- ings and preparation of the Pope under which they should be constructed, fs what 1s needed. The matter of salaries of teachers and other loyes shouid be fixed, all the disbursements and all purchases contracted by the | missioners. I am led to this conclusion by s ‘ng, but recently, men of high character and. of excepuonal capacity to manage school aflairs forced to resign because of their independence, and for this reason I believe in an independent’ board.” THINKS A GOOD ADVISORY BOARD COULD BE SECURED. Mr. Thos. J. Fisher said that he was not ac- quainted with the merits of the question be- tween the Commissioners and theschool board, but he thought that on general principles the Commissioners ought not to delegate their pow- ersto any great extent. He was of the opinion that good men could be obtained, who would be willing to act as advisers of the Commis- sioners in the managementofthe publicschools, and that, in relation to educational methods, their advice would prove of great assistance and value. SIDES WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. Mr. Henry D. Barr said he was opposed to the District Commissioners gathering unto them- selves all the powers of the school trustees, making that board simply advisory. He thought Linatters relating to the management of the schools should be attended to by the school board, and he sided with them in the present controversy. ne Commissioners’ authority should be that ofa board of appeals, as far as school matters were concerned, TAKING ENTIRELY TOO MUCH UPON THEM- SELVES. “I_have no hesitancy in saying that! think the Commissioners have taken too much upon themselves in this matter,” sald Mr. Samuel lewis. “They want to take all the power they can get. It is not proper that they should take all the powers away from the school, aud exer- cise the functions of this board themselves. The citizens of the District shouid have the manage- mentof the schools through their representa- lives, the trustees. Only one of the Cominis sioners is a citizen. Edmonds and Lydecker have no claim to citizenship.” THINKS THE SCHOOL BOARD RIGHT. Mr. G,G. Cornwall said he had not looked into the question particularly, but he favored the school board and thonght they had the right in the present controversy, IN FAVOR OF REFORM, BUT NOT OF THAT KIND. Mr. Jchn A. Milburn said he did not think the public schools were conducted here as well as they might be. He thought enough atten- tion was not given to the primary branches. It was in these primary schools where the chil- ly reading, spelling, writing ic, that the most good was done to ue poor children, Three or four years was the most that the mass of poor people could afford to clothe their ebildren and send them to ‘hol, and it was at that time that they should be given all the facilities possible. But be did not think the schools here had been condueted with that view. The most attention was paid to the more advanced school, and most of the money Was speut When none but those who would be able to send their children elsewhere could enjoy the advantages of it. Rich people's children Went to the more advanced there was plenty of room; but the lower ades were crowded so that half the poor chil- dren could” not get admittance. ‘There ought ing all Lue power in their hands. He thought scivol matters should be managed by a board of citizens. He did not want the appointment of teache! of the patronage posal of the Commissioners. That to trouble and would be very im- proper. It would be a bad thing if lt got so that@iembers of Con; would bring thet iriends from the neighboring states and have the Comnmissioners appoint them to places as teachers. THE COMMISSIONERS CLUTCHING EVERYTHING, Mr. W. H. Smitb, the House librarian, says he has no fight with the Commissioner, but he is opposed to thelr absorbiag all the powers of the schoo! board. by placing thelr own construc tion upon we an opinion thelr attorney to enable them todos Every city in the country as far as he had @ board of ct ‘sown us school true to become a a tees, school commissioners, or whatever title inight be, who had control Of all ‘tatters rela: ting to the schools—the erection of buildings, the intment of princi teachers, ete, Commissioners sought to all these pow- ers, and, devil-fsh like,cateh everything their reseh. A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT, “I do not approve of the Commissioners tak- ing the entire control of the schools,” said Mr. Solomon G. Brown, who formerly represented the colored schools of the gounty on the board. “The memorial presented to Congress repre- sented my views very well. I believe there should be more trustees than at present, for in some districts there is entirely too much terr- tory for one man to cover. At Hillsdale, where I ive, the colored schools do_not receive a visit from @ trustee once @ year. If it were not for the care of citizens and the good character of the teachers the schools there would suffer. The Commissioners are undertaking @ dangcrous int teachers. I thing when they assume to appot think Mr. Webb is setting a lent that will ive trouble. I am deeldediy to the mmissioners’ plan, as I believe all otber good. citizens are. The schools are now in con- dition and ought tobe keptso. I believe the superintendent ought to be elected by the trus- tees, because, as it is now, he is in no wise amenable to ihe trustees. I have no complaint to make against the present board at all; they have done as well as they could under the cli- cumstances, excepting some personal disputes among them.” APPROVES THE SCHOOL BOARD SYSTEM. Mr. George W. Brown was in favor of the board of school trustees having control of the Public schools, and yet he didn't see how any citizen of standing would be willing to assume the labors of a trustee, without any remunera- tion, and with the troubles and quarrels that are bound to occur. IN FAVOR OF THE SCHOOL-BOARD SYSTEM. Mr. F. J. Heiberger said: “I am very much interested in all matters pertain- ing to the education of our young, and have carefully read everything that has been publish about the situation, but fam free to say that I have as yet been un- able to see the point at issue which should have brought about the contention between the Commissioners and the trustees. I am in favor, however, of school matters being regulated by ascbool ‘board composed of citizens who will give time and attention to the matter in hand.’, OPPOSED TO FURTHER CONCENTRATION OF POWER. Mr. E. F, Brooks said: “It we keep on con- centrating power in the Commissioners we will soon be nowhere. For that reason I am in fexer of continutl the school board With the exercise of fis former, power. The school trustees are taken from among the residents of the District and are nearer 0 the people, They give their careful and personal at- tention to school matters, and are there- fore better able to understand the needs of the schools than other officials, who are ovei- whelmed with a multitude of duties.” FAVORS A SCHOOL BOARD. Mr. J. Strasburger is in favor of @ school board of twenty-four, if necessary, with powers to act as heretotore. SHOULD HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD IF THEY LIKE. Mr. C. M, Bell states that the Commissioners should have an advisory board of schoul trus- tees if they desire it, to relieve them from the troubles of details in school matters. THE POWERS SHOULD NOT BE DIVIDED. Mr. Wm. H. Morrison says he would have but one superintendent of schools, who would be competent to examine all applicants for teacherships, and upon the recommendation ofthe trustees the Commissioners to appoint and have the power of all action in the prem- ises. The powers should not be divided. CONTROVERSIES DISTASTEFUL TO TAX-PAYERS, Mr. John McDermott stated that he takes great interest in the success of the public schools and often thinks they might be man. aged more efficiently than they are, There seems to be too much talk among some of the trustees. He has tired of reading controversies between trustees, and has been passing over the subject of late. The tax-payer has to raise the revenues for the schools, anda these contro- versies are distasteful to them. IN FAVOR OF THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS. Mr. J. Win, Lee is in favor of having a school board, and giving the school board all the pow- ers they have heretofore enjoyed. He 1s in favor of three trustees from each school ais- triet. THINKS THE COMMISSIONERS ARE RIGHT. Mr. D. P. Hickling, druggist, thinks an ad- visory board of trustees would be just about the right thing in view of the wranglings of the old board. There is too much talking and differ ence between the trustees, and, in his opinion, the bill before Congress proposes to have too many trustees. One trustee ought to be snuneh for each school division. Thinks the Commis- sioners are right in having an advisory board. THINKS THE BOARD SHOULD HAVE FULL CON, TROL. 4 Mr. Robert Ball thinks that the school mat- ters should be confided to a board of trustees composed of men who know the wants of the citizens, have the Interests of the District at heart, possess the full confidence of the com- munity and the appointing power; and they should be given the full control of the schools. He had been surprised that men of the charac- ter and standing of the recent incumbents should consent to remain in @ board as mere figure heads. WOULD REDUCE THE BOARD TO THREE MEM- BERS, Mr. Robert Cohen would have aboard of three school trustees only. Too many make too much wWrapgling, as has been seen of late. Three men could probably be selected from among the — board who could be serviceable, and not Inclined to wrangle and make trouble. The public are disgusted with wrangling. All com- mittees and boards are apt to be too large. A few are best, aud generally do the best and promptest work. NO NEED OF A BOARD WITHOUT POWER. Mr. Myron M. Parker said: “If there is to bea board of school trustees, I believe that the pub- lie schools should be governed by it, Iean’t see what else the trustees are for except to gov- rn the schools, and there is no necessity’ for continuing the board if it is to be stripped of all power.” THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE POWER ENOUGH. John EF. Beall thought that the Commissioners are vested with power enough, and that the trustees should be given by Congress the power ‘to govern the schools, THE SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD GOVERN, Mr. George Adams, of the firm of Adams & Beall, said that being anew comer in Wash- ington he was not very well posted on the situ- ation, but on general principles he thought the school board should certainly govern the schools. BORNE BACK BY THE WIND. Mr. F. M. Green was about to board a street car when he was caught by aSrar reporter, but the following answer was borne back by the wind: “I am in favor of giving the power of governing the schools to the school trustees,” NO IMPROVEMENT ON THE OLD SYSTEM. ‘Mr. August Burgdorff stated that while it may be unpopular to go back to the old system it seemed to him that the system we had some ‘ears ago Is preferable to the “idea of central- Tation 1 would haves’ he sald, “each district or division under three trustees and a principal, with a general superintendent over the whole. This system worked well in the past, The ap- pointing power is in the Commissioners. Let them appoint such trustees as they have confi- dence in and then let the trustees govern the schools. It certainly is no improvement to ap- polnt a board of trustees and then give them no power or authority in the work to which they are appointed.” r. Charles Walter states that he is tired of Of the past and he is in favor of @ small with full control on all school matters, Including the selection of superinten- dents. The board, the superintendents, prin- cipals and teachers shouid be selected from our own citizens, and not importations. ‘THINKS THE EXPERIMENT MAY WORK WELL, Mr. W. B, Moses said: “The echoolshave been managed very well, I think, but I do not under- stand how it will injure our schools to have the Commissioners maintain @ strict supervision, In this point of view it seems to me that it might work well to make the experiment of the chaage.” DOES NOT DESIRE THE TRUSTEES TO CONTROL ‘HE FUNDS, “My opinions,” observed Mr. Simon Wolf, “on this question of the management of the public schools have been expressed very fully when I called with the citizens’ committee on the Distritt Commissioners, and later in the memorial presented to Cor point, however, which Twi Mould bring out clearly, and that is: there is no intention or desire to have the financial affairs of the schools bey Aa board. me Commissioners are bon responsi tor the cheueene oF the public mone; and they should have the of battdings, "ana everythin the disbursement of the school desired for the board e members is the selection of s and teachers and the direction of of instruction. It is possi have an interest as citizens in the efiic the schools, and who are will time and atiention to thie nubj ow ucational system conducted on the seale blie schools demands and needs. The re of the public schools is something that af- they are the squabbli: fects every citizen, for, as ads ‘80 [s the “of the outro. moa cavonseae {8 te tone of, the eatire com IN FAVOR OF PAYING TRUSTERS, ‘Mr. Lawrence Gardner said: “At all times I am opposed to a centralization of power, and I believe that there should be a committee of the schools, and I believe paid for their services,” eltizens to m: that they should be faaper tng a ond affairs. I believe also that the mem! of the board should receive ade- quate compensation for thelr services and Te- sponsibilities,” ‘Mr. Alonzo Bell said: opinion that the school management should be vested. of composed of citizens. This plan has worked’ well in the past; has given us the best school system in the country, and I think that they had better let well enough alone.” NOT SATISFIED WITH THE BOARD. “I have not been satisfied with the board Management of school affairs,” remarked Mr. H. B. Moulton, “and I am of the opinion that the Commissioners ought to exercise a super- Yisory,,control of the business done by the SURE OF KEEPING OUT OF POLITICS. “I think,” said Mr George E. Emmons, “that ‘an long a citizens of character and intelligence take enough interest in the public schools to give the time and attention required of a mem- der of the school board, that it would be better aoe fhe ‘school pats to 7 otmeonae pie an e are sure in schools free from polities.” wind sae IN FAVOR OF THE COMMISSIONERS’ IDEA, “I think,” said Mr. Brad, Adams, “that the schools ought to hold the same relation to the District Commissioners as to their government as the fire, police, water and other departments do, There is no doubt that it would tend to economy in the disbursement of the school funds and a more efficient management in every way.” ON THE SIDE OF THE COMMISSIONERS, Mr. R. O. Holtzman said: “I think that the Commissioners should have the management of the schools, and in this way the Jealousies and factious feelings that have been exhibited lately in the board of trustees would no longer appear to disturb school affairs,” A BOARD WITH FULL POWER, ‘Mr. W. R. Speare said: “I favor a board of trustees with the full control of our school affairs, Otherwise I see no use in having a board.” BELIEVES IN TRUSTEES WITH ENLARGED . POWERS, ‘Mr. George C. Henning stated that he was in favor of the bill before the Senate. The Com- misstoners cannot add the successful manage- ment of the schools to their present oligarchi- cal powers. The trustees should be chosen from the people and enlarged powers and they should be responsible to the Commission- ers. The board should select the superintend- ent and princlfals and the trusiges should be men of such education and experience as to be able toprescribe a course of study without the suggestions of principals and others, The Present course of study is too top heavy. GET NEARER THE PEOPLE. Mr. W. H. Clagett, when asked by aSrar re- Porter for his opinion, said he could not better express it than in a communication he had Written in response to a circular of the eltizens’ committee. As his reply had not been sent he gave it to the reporter. ‘It was as follows: “Ihave received Senate bill No. 1238, and memorial of our citizens in support of samé, “To create a school board for the istrict of Colum- dia,’ and circular requesting my views and su gestions in respect to the bill, I indorse tie Principle on which it is based, and can ool: suggest that if we can get_ nearer the people it would be more satisfactory tome. We should not educate the youth of the capital of this re- public that he should not have a voice in all that pertains toits government and prosperity. I would also provide that power should rest with the school board to discriminate as against non-residents who take advantage of our public schools by @ temporary. residence to the extent of depriving many children of the District of the benefit of the same.” DECIDEDLY IN FAVOR OF A SCHOOL BOARD. Mr, Edward F. Simpson, of Simpson & Guy, said: “I am very decidedly in favor of a school board, and so far as [ have heard the sentiment 1s almost universally that way. I have talked with @ good many friends and acquaintances on the subject, some of them old residents, and they agree with me that we should have a regu- lar school board, and that it ought to have con- trol of the schools.” THINKS THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS SHOULD HAVE CONTROL. Mr. Shuster, the janior partner of W. Mf. Shuster & Son, said: “In my opinion the Dis- trict Commissioners should have control of the Public schools and they ought to be held re- Sponsibie for its system and its management. ‘he school trustees are nearly always bi ickering and quarreling among themselves, and I can’t see where they have done any good. There is Bo compensation attached 10, the position and Lam ata loss to know why it is in such de- mand, I am inclined to favor vesting the Com- missioners with the power and of making them responsible. I believe that I express the views of my father also.” Mr. Shuster, senior, was con- fined to his house with a severe cold. BELIEVES IN A SCHOOL BOARD. Mr. W. B. Williams believes in a school board a representation of the people in control of tke public school system, He was very positive in his opinion, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE POWER ENOUGH. Mr, J. P. Willett thinks the Commissioners have power enough in all Other matters, and that the public schools should be controlied and directed by @ board of citizens, He added something to the effect that he would like to ee School books cheaper, and implied that in his opinion they ought to be cheaper. IN FAVOR OF A SCHOOL BOARD, Mr. Hoyle, manager of Carter's, on Market space, declared in favor of maintaining aschool bourd composed of citizens, THE TRUSTEES SHOULD GOVERN. Mr. Austin Brown thought that the trastees should govern the schools, but that they should. be answerable to the Commissioners, SHOULD NOT BE DIVESTED OF ALL POWER, Mr. M. A. MeGowan thought the school board should govern the schools. If the trustees are not satisfactory others should be appointed, but the board should not be divested of all power. WANTS A BUARD OF FIRST-CLASS TRUSTEES, Br. Lloyd Moxley favors a board of first-class trustees, men who have the entire confidence Oi the community, to exercise the full control otall educational matters, but subject to re- moval by the Commissioners, PREFERS A BOARD OF GOOD TRUSTEES. Mr. Daniel Hannan said the Commissionersal- ready have as much as they can weil do. fe would prefer, therefore, a board of good trus- tees, who are qualitied for the office, to have the full control of the schools, DOESN'T SKE THE USE OF A TRUSTEE WITHOUT POWER. Mr. Wash. B.Williamssays that a school board should be appointed and given the full control of schoo! matters, and if they did not do right they should be turned out. Mr. Williams could not see the use of @ trustes if the board of Com- missioners are to manage the details. THINES THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD ConTROL EXPENDITURES, Mr. Henry Polkinhorn says that he rather favors the Commissioners’ plan, at least as far as the supervision of the expenditures is con- cerned, for the Commissioners are responsible for the’ money. The selection of teachers, pre- senbing the course ot studies, &c., should, how. ever, remain in a bourd of trustees, who should have fall control in that matter, He ould not favor a |, for experience has shown that there ls more ‘work sad lon dispatteo clash in a small body. ey LATE IN THE DAY. J. Miller says: “It is singular that the been managed all these years by trustees and the Commissioners should come in ‘at this late hour and assume the control. 1am in favor of a board of trustees with fall control ot all matters pertaining to the schools, The Commissioners have as much as they should attempt to attend to now.” THREE MEN BETTER THAN TWENTY. Mr. W. F. Mattingly, attorney-atlaw, states; “I have always found that three men are better than twenty to manageanything. The author ity and. control of the schools should be with the Commissioners, with, superintendents in full control of the educational matters as also of qoulidings and property, responsible to IN FAVOR OF “HE BILL. “I believe that the schools shoula be gov- erned by a board of trustees,” said Mr, James c ee es be appointed by the Commalasion- rs. I thin! wever, that the m: expenditure of "mony should rest estuine with the Commissioners. I think also that the number of trustees should be increased twenty-four, 80 that each school district would have three representatives. In this way the larities of one representative on any sub- pertaini to bis-district would be molli- fied by the two from the same district, and many bickerings and quarrels prevented’ ‘The su Intendent of the schools should be ing principals. Can threngly tm tava Bo toe pif Piet was presented In chvurseses SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY THE TRUSTEES, Rev. W. A. Leonard, rector of St. John’s chureb, said: “Iam firmly of thévpinion that the schools should be governed by the trustees. rhy the fom tal ling proved. 0 sus ‘sucoessfut in New York, Philadephia aua other larger tiae Mek ie 4 the mal Bane ‘before nehe ch embodies my views on the q 4 BOARD WITH FULL CONTROL, ‘Mr. George Ryneal said the under the full control of a ‘the sub-boards, and they should missioners should appoint a board and give it ‘al school matters, ‘WANTS AN INDEPENDENT WOULD LIKE A BOARD OF FIRST-CLASS wen. Mr. Bushrod Robinson said that lad he been a member of the board when the order sent by the Commissioners was recetved he would have resigned at once. He favored a board of three ihe schools, having @ superintendent args a an ive officer. “the board should be com- posed of first-class men In every respect, T0o MUCH TO Do Now. ‘ Mr. L, Lachs favors s board of trasteescom- ‘Posed of the right kind of men, to beselected by the Commissioners, and to exercise fall control of the schools. The Commissioners, he thought, had too much to do now to attempt to run ‘the schools, FAVORS GIVING THE COMMISSIONERS THE VETO POWER. Mr. RB, Beresford favored a school board such sit was five or six years ago, with power to fontrol educational matters, the Commissioners have a veto power to exercise when neces- sary. CAN MANAGE BETTER THAN THE commis. SIONERS, Mr. E, F. French thought that the trustees should undoubtedly govern the schools, and he believed that they are vested with full au- thority, “I think that every member of the board should have resigned,”’he said,-when the; Tecelved thatletter from the Commissioners, should have resigned had I been one of them. I think the trustees can manage the schools much better than the Commissioners. They five, thelr personal attention to them, some- hing that it isimpossible for the Commis- sioners to do.” VIEWS SUBMITTED TO THE DIS- TRICT COMMITTEE. The committee of citizens that memorialized Congress in favor of Senate bill 1288, to create school board and define its powers, has dur- ing the past few days sent obt circular letters to many citizens asking for an expression of their views on the proposed bill, and generally on the question of the,proper method of man- aging the schools. The responses received to this circular were filed to-day with the Senate District committee, MR. GARDINER G. HUBBARD's VIEWS. Mr. Gardiner G, Hubbard, to whom the Com- missioners have tendered an appointment as school trustee, wrote in reply to the circular sent to him: “Ihave nodoubt that some chan; in regard to the school board is necessary, for it is impossible to have efficiency where the teachers ure appointed by one board and the Schools managed by another, T do not, how- ever, believe in the wisdom ‘of @ board of 24 members, and think that one of 8 members would be more efficient, and that the members would feel @ personal ‘responsibility which & board of 24 members cannot feel.” APPROVES THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BILE. Rev. Dr. J. L. Mills, of the 9th-street M. P. church, writes: “I approve the general features of the bill, and especially the principle on which itis based, viz: That the management of the public schools should be entrusted to a board of citizens chosen by the Comuisciondea.? WELL DEFINED IX THE BILL. Mr. Anthony Hyde writes: “With regard to the propriety of entrusting the management of public schools to a board ot trustees, rather than to the Commissioners of the District, I. bee to Say, a$ an abstract question, that I think the powers and duties of each well defined in the ill, The want of harmony heretolore manitest in the transaction of the duties of the trustees raises a serious obstacle to the existence of s0 large a board, which would otherwise be with- outobjection. In the twenty-five years of my connection with the Georgetown schools, the corporate authorities voted us a certain ‘sur and left its expenditure to the absolute control and disposition of the trustees, consisting of seven, and in all that time everything worked smoothly and the schools increased to a_stan- dard of excellence quite equal to that of Wash- ington.” Mr. Hyde suggests a number. of amendments to the bill, ouc of them proposing to add to the clause prohibiting the board from naming school buildings ater living persons, a sentence saying, “and those now sonamed shall be changed.” HEARTILY APPROVES THE BILL. Rev. G. B. Patch, pastor of Unity Presbyte- rian church, writes: “I heartily approve of said Senate bill No. 1288, entrusting the manage- ment of, public schools to a special board of citizens.” FAVORS LIMITING TAE POWER OF THE COMMIS- SIONERS, Rev. George O. Little, pastor of Assembly’s Presbyterian church, writes: “I am not certain that I favor as large a board of trustees as 24, but I am in favor of limiting the power of the Commissioners to the appointment of the trus- tees, nnd of making the trustees directly re- sponsible to Congress and the people. We have found ourselves powerless in temperance reform in the enforcement of the law in licensing sa- loons, because the Commissioners were’ not made responsible to the people, and we do not fish, torepeat the experience 'in school mat- rs.” OPPOSED TO THE BILL, Mr. J.P. Klingle writes in opposition to the bill, Hesays; “One trustee for each of the eight school districts 1s sufficient with one at large, making nine in all. The trustees should be sularied officers, Asarule, men who serve the public without pay render service propor- {ionate to the compensation recelved—noth: ing. ‘The nine trustees may meet for conierence and to advise with the Commissioners.” NECESSARY TO THE SUCCESSFUL RUNNING OF ‘THE SCHOOLS, Mr, Alexander Fairley, an ex-trustee, writes: “Said bill embodies in’ my judgment all the features which the school board in the past has deemed necessary and advantageous to the suc- cessful running of our public schools, Most of its provisions have guverned the administration of our schools in the ‘t,and the few new features contemplated by the bill are such as will, if enacted, give completeness to the sys tem and definitely settle the powers and duties of both Commissioners and trustees in their re- lation severally to our public schools.” IN ACCORD WITH THE AMERICAN IDEA, Mr. Appleton P. Clark, a member of the School board, says: “The wellare of the public schools depends largely upon those who select the teacher, hence it is that this power should not regt in’ the hands of a single individual, having no one with whom he must cousult, but acting Sroording to his judgment, which may be in error. ‘0 have a local committee of three members will check hasty nominations, relieve the committee of the suspicion of favor itism, better satisfy the community end be more in accord with the American idea of School supervision. An enlarged board of edu- cation, such as the bill contemplates, with well- defined powers, if selected trom men of literary attainments, men of business experience, men of broad views, practical Judgment and liberal ideas eee or czeployment leads them in different directions will make the strongest combination fora wise and efficient administration of the public school economy.” PROTESTS AGATNS AUTOCRATIO RULE. Mr. Cart Roesse, e: 1 trustee, writes: “I consider it my. duty to protest herewith against the autocratic rule of the Commissioners, and approve fully of, the Senate bill No. 1238, drawn by, the citizens’ commlttes and thelr memorial.” THE ONLY REMEDY LEFT. Mr. John H. Brooks, of the school writes: “I look to the enactment of ths bill as the only remedy left to the people to save their Schools from injury and. the. proposed system of a one-man political machine.” ‘A DANGEROUS CENTRALIZATION OF POWER, Rev. Dr. John Chester writes: “I would ex- press my decided conviction that the principle on which Senate bill No. 1238, is based is the true one. I should the project to trans- Siaispat ered tae ate missioners a8 not on! tion. of power, bat. also ‘a direct evil to the interests of the schools.” HEABTILY APPROVES THE BILL, Mr. Z. Richards, formerly superintendent of the public schools, writes: “The bill has my thost hearty epproval, asa Tans ready t5 am anything in my power to secure its pasdage.” ANOMALOUS AND DEPLORABLE, Mr. Benjamin P. Davis, an ex-tras [rites in ‘approval of the bill. He says: “The present condition of things lons and deplorable, ‘The assumption of plete control of public schools by the Commis sioners a) Me aD act not warranted law, and it certainly introduces a system a eee epe ao country. I canno! ve Fesults Will be obtained by 1 GRATIFYING TO FRIENDS OF EDUCATION. Mr. Goodwin Y. At Tae, extrosten, says: “1 hope it m: ‘through Congress without delay, The sevdoment, in ihe manner the Oil provides, of the diMeulties usder which: the all g School intereais have been laboring duri lll be gratify! friends of eaeation in the : PROVIDES ALL ESSENTIALS OF MENT, School Trustee Wm. H. Baum says: “I am of the.opinion that it is better to entrust the Govern. to the Commissioners of the District of Colum- Dia, or to any other quasi-political body.” UNQUALIFIEDLY IX FAVOR OF THE BILL. ‘Mr. 8. C. Clarke writes: “As against the fore- shadowed management of our schools by the Commissioners under existing law, I am un- qualifiedly in favor of the enactment of such nding bill, as affording a morediffusive repre- Sentation of ‘the people, and ‘as 3 a school board of much greater aptitude for the service.” ‘NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF SCHOOLS. Wm. H. Lee,'an ex-trustee of colored schools, writes: “I do not see why & board of school trustees cannot carry ont the laws governing them -and the schoois; and not the Commie sioners who are not ible for the S era. who are not respons! Present THINKS THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD APPOINT. Mr. B.J. O'Driscoll, ex-trustee, writes: “Idon’t approve of conferring the appointing or re- moval power on any body but the Commis- sioners so long as we of the District of Columbia, are being governed by the Commissioners. It will not do to have two standards of authority, ‘one for one set of employes, and another for Snother set. The school trustees are them- selves appointed by the Commissioners of the District, and it would be simply incongruous to ive them int or remove Snieiais whons the Gomsaissoners trenvelves gould not appoint or remove. The Com- mnissioners, I have no doubt, will gladly Of a. well roquinted ‘sea Maeliy" seastiiated ary regulated an cons! School board, and in fact, I eannot see how they can get along without one, but there should be nothing of s mandatory character in their pro- geedings. I see nothing in the present situa- tion which should prevent any one having the interests of our schools at heart serving on one.’ IN FAVOR OF A SCHOOL BOARD. ‘Mr. Geo. C. Henning writes at length in favor of the principle of governing the echools by & school board Instead of by the Commissioners. Mr. Ellis Spear writes in favor of the bill and says: “I do not see how the scheme of the Com- missioners. is to put, the ‘immensely valuable Pro) longing to the schools’ in ‘more Eponsible hands’ than the ‘present bill, os how “under the supervision of agents paid for such work,’ divisions, factions, bickering and scan- dals of every sort, are to be Kept out of the School system, more certainly than under the plan whlch hés been tried and is included in WOULD BE INSINITELY BETTER, Dr. Charles Rau, of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, writes: “I hold the view that it will be infinitely better to intrast the management of the public schools of the District of Columbia toa of citizens than to leave it to the board of Commissioners.” THE UNIFORM CUSTOM IN THE STATES. Mr. T. J. Coffey says: “I am very decidedly of opinion that the management of the putiie schools should be entrusted by law to a board, selected for that purpose, of citizens of the Dis- trict of Columbia, T think this in harmon with sound and’ well-settled policy, and wit. the uniform custom (so far as I Know) of our common-school system in the states,” THE ONLY QUESTION INVOLVED, Mr. George W. Dyer, an ex-trustee, writes “This proposition involves only the question whether a board can be selected from the citi- zens of Washington who collectively shall have as much regard for the common. schools, as much honesty, as much intelligence and more Jeisure than the Commissioners, I think such @ board can be had.” THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, Mr. 0. C. Wight approves the bill, and says: “The pian of control and management Is, in its essential features, that which prevails in ail Parts of our country where the highest degree Of success has been obtained.” FAVORS A BOARD OF CITIZENS, ExJudge Drake writes: “In my opinion it is very far better tointrust the management of the public schools to a board of citizens speci- ally selected for the purpose than to the board of Commissioners.” WOULD PUT AN END TO CONTROVERSY. Mr. Horatio King writes: “It appears tome that the provisions of the bill, if enacted into law, would serve to put an end to controversy on the subject and secure the best results,” THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CITIES, Prof. J. W. Chickering writes: “I most em- Phatically indorse the principle contained in bill No. 1288 as in accord with the universal experience of those cities and towns in the United States where the best educational re- sults have been obtained. A PRINCIPLE THAT COMMENDS ITSELF. Rev. Dr. S. Domer, pastor of the St. Paul’s English Lutheran church, writes in favor of the bil, an@ says “the principle on which it is is the only one that commends itself as fitting the situation of affairs in this city.” ‘THINKS A SCHOOL BOARD THE BEST. Prof, J. R. Eastman writes: “I am decidedly of the opinion that the schools would be best managed by a good board of trustees, and to that end I heartily: aTErove, the bill accompany- ing the circular and letter.” WORTHY OF THE DARKEST AGES. Rey. Dr. Faunce says: “The Commissioners’ idea of school management is worthy of the darkest, period of the darkest of all the dark ages. Where have such men lived?” ART NOTES. Mr. E. H. Miller shows a number of etchings at the Barlow gallery, some of which are highly creditable to him as an artist in that line, and very attractive in themselves. That Mr. Miller should be fond of etching is not at all surprising, seeing how admirably he succeeds in it. Sev- eral of the examples he exhibits will compare in quality with some of those that brought round prices at the sale of etchings here a ew weeks ago. — Miss F. D. Bond, who has been a pupil of ‘William Hart, in New York, has placed on view at the Barlow gallery an oil painting of a bunch of chrysanthemums, in various colors, which shows close study and considerable technical skill, The table cover and back-ground are somewhat muddy in effect, and the style of frame 18 not happily chosen, but the compo- sition 1s good, and the handling and color of the flowers are excellent. — Atits last meeting the Library Committee of Congress purchased for the government a well-preserved portrait of George Washington, by Gilbert Stuart. This painting was the erty of a North Geruine ta , bavin; a urchased by one of its members in 1828 of Edward Penaington, then president, of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. It is well authenticated by autograph letters from Thos, Sully, Edward Pennington and Wm. Thackara. The price paid was $1,200. — In the window of the Barlow gallery is dis- played a very spirited painting ot two young dogs, from the pencil of Miss Elizabeth Strong, @ young California artist, who has been paint- In Paris for several years past. The picture, which represeute “The First Hants iy pose? Marly French. The violet tints of the sky, the exquisite greens of the grass, and the tamous breed of French hounds, with’ their vele vety ears, are all strictly characteristic of the country; while the interest and anxiety of the ambitious puppies are wonderfully well ex- ressed, Miss’ Btrong, who has exhibited in Ute’ last tires Salons; was @ pupilor both Van Marcke and Dupré.’ She has however made maiv iecer s Catcaaaatn mater's in her an fond of animal life generally, of which she i & close and conscientious 3 — The art event of the coming week and, in- eed, of the season, is the sale of the collection of paintings and other objects of art, etc., be- k to the estate of the late Ma ew but it may be aoupeed wheter Say auowens biener 9) 1d. cet Eatscheaw stesso “the Fanning sale of water oolor drawings, which has been the feature of the Dowling auc- tion rooms during the week, has seemed to or ner's over: . — Late afivices from Florence represent Mr, Larkin G. Mead as busily at work nowon a THE FOr OF THE DaY. ‘The King of the Dudes and His Eccen- A BIG Fool ABOUT DRESS, BUT NoT A BAD FELLOW—HUNTING FOR A DOG TO MATCH HIS PANTALOONS—EXPENSIVE JOKES WHICH HELPED USE UP HIS FORTUNE, A gentleman, who is well posted on the sub- Ject, was talking to @ STAR reporter the other day about the many peculiarities which gained for Mr, E. Berry Wall, ot New York, who is now honoring Washington with a visit, the title of “the King of the Dudes.” Mr. Wall still wears his crown, althéugh the money that helped ma- terlally in acquiring it is all gone, and royalty is now forced to live on the memories of the past, with the help of an indulgent and wealthy mother. He still gets about all that an ordin- ary man can want, but it ts sald that the mother refuses to pay any bills of the son con- tracted during the height of his reign. “Wall isn’t a bad fellow,” sald the gentleman with whom THE Starman ‘wesconversing, “Therets nothing wicked about him. He has a heart as big as that table, But he is the biggest fool about dress that Fever heard of. He never had any idea of the value of money, He never has found it to do a stroke of work, and he succeeded in getting away with $300,000 in call ic than moctanen of twice hie ase who way it, than most ice be considered fast. He. has-been going It bard since he was fifteen years old, and he is now barely twenty-five. He has a brother who was in Paris the last time I heard of him. He isabout as eccentric as Berry, but has never attracted $0 much attention. ‘His weakness is for pic- tures. He has so many that he hasn’t room for them, and is continually getting more. Good taste? No indeed. He is just.as apt to pay a $1,000 for a daub as for a gem. The father left both boys wealthy when he died, and his will gave both entire possession of their inheritance when they became of age.” WALL'S WARDROBE. “As everybody knows,” hecontinued, “Berry ‘Wall thinks more of clothes than anything else in the world, and he pomanet asongh to open & first-class clothing house. If he never gets Snother cent ne will*be well dressed. for the re- mainder of his life. He has, or rather bad, one Foom given up entirely to his clothes. A long table on one side was cove! = trowsers of all styles neatly folded. In this way they always snowed the which swells have to approve be- cause its ‘English, you know.’ The wearer of hand-me-downs, however, always has his trousers before he will'wear them. The dude king would enter the room in the morning, and running the baek of his hand w & pile so as to get a glimpse of the colors, wou! Graw out a pair that sulted his faney. He would hand them to his valet, and proceed to select the rest of his outfit tor the morning. His over. coats occupied a portion of the room, cutaways another, his. frocks and sacks another, and, so ‘on, all | carefully hung on frames, Under 0 ferred to were’ shelves ‘filled with all kinds of shoes of the finest mak Tremember that 8 representative of an Engl tallor received a letter of introduction to Wall from au intimate friend. When he presented it toget an order the dude king sad: “Iam awfully sorry that I have given orders for my spring cloules to Poole and others in New York, and that I ean’t give you a good order, but if you care toyou can make me up thirteen suits ind send them over,’ That's afact. He {ook a few miles’ sall on the Despateh at New York not long ago, and he took with him three or four overcoats, ‘each a shade heavier than the other. He devoted as much attention to his underclothes, which were always of the finest silk, costing not less than $40 per pair.” A LOVER OF HORSES AND DOGS. “Next to clothes,” went on THE Star's in- formant, “Wall loves horses and dogs best, and he hasowned many fine onesin hisday. I bave known him to bunt through the New York kennels in search of a dog to match asult he particularly fancied. I saw him one day waiking down Broadway with a log of a cane under bis’ arm and athis heels the ugliest bulldog Iever saw in my Ite. Of course he attracted attention. The next day a number of swells could be seen with club canes and ugly bulldcgs following them, ‘Wall was the recognized monarch of dudedom, and he set the fashion for his admirers, He often dabbled in stocks, but knowing nothing about them seldom struck them right. On one occasion be showed a telegram ‘to some friends which informed him that he had lost’ $40,000 in cotton at one — stroke. He met his reverses with grace and cried spilled milk. He spent his money as freely op others as on himself, and was always ready to lend a help- ing hand to @ friend in trouble. He wus gov- erned by impulse in nearly everything, and would carry out any freak that entered his head. He would ata moment's notice take the steamer for Europe and catch the first re- turning one he could, bringing with him some- thing to prove to the boys that he had done as he intended. He has been known to overturn and literally smash a coupe on Broadway con- ‘talning a friend just for a joke and pay Brew- ster $500 to Ax it up, Walking along the Street sometimes he would wonder how a brick would look flying through a big plate glass window, and would at once take Steps to find out and promptly pay damages, He would buy anything tbat struck bis fancy, ho matter what it might cost. Berry came to the end of his string some time ago, but will probably never want as Jong as he behaves him- self half decently. | He has been in Wasbington Some time now.and I understand is looking after a young lady whose charms have 1u him from New York. I saw him at Secre- tary Whitney's the other night, appearing to be anxiously looking for somebody without success, Iguess she was not there. He occa- sionally came to Washington during his reign, and invariably brought a wardrobe sufficient for half a dozen men, He has a number of friends here with whom he is quite popular. | It wouldn't surprise me tosee him take a sharp turn and show himself to be a man.» = wer Sears FLEECING NEW MEMBERS, never over A Man Whe Plays the Part of a Needy Constituent, HOW HE PICKS HI8 MEN AND STUDIES THE SIT- UATION—MEMBERS OPERATED UPON BY THEIR. POKER-PLAYING COLLEAGUES—A BRIGHT- EYED MAN WHO KNOWS HOW TO PLAY. “And it’s a sight of ways they have of making money,” sald a doorkeeper of the House the other day, as he tilted back in his chair and sought to draw a Stax reporter into a triendly chat. “Did you ever notice these fellows who hang around here all the time? Thoseseedy, played- out looking fellows, who look as it they di@ not have a friend on earth, and stay here only be- ‘cause they know of no place else to go. ‘Well, some of them make lots of money by it. It's their profession. See that fellow?” He pointed to a rough looking man, with ared face, who was backed up into the window niche writing a card, “He's the king of them all. At the be- ginning of each Congress he makes enough to last him until the nexteomes in. He's an ex- pert. I've watched him tor the past ten ys fears, we seen him take in thousands of dol- iors, ‘Yes Lam sure mey say thousands. Oh! but he’s a clever one.” HOW HE DOES IT. “What does he do?” asked THE STAR. “speculates. Borrows money. That's his profession. It doesn’t take any capital to start With, and he keep up very active operations = the first month or so at the begin: eacl BS BSS’ By 8 i 5 is Hy i i F il H iE ere i i | 5 i s' [ i : i ! , See i i : fe ms tl lL i HEE $5 4 i Hy i a i ‘| iff E i F HI if 5 i | i Hi i H iF Ho : i fe l i i Ht ; i i i | : i sy i li eg i made altogether. The fact ts these ‘teh fellows piuone {rom the east—get Mecced rel “along. Thay love, thourands Ine nigut. | Then ie winked three times very dellberntely, as i he ex) some one to ask bow, and didn’t Untuk he ought to tell. “How?” asked the scribe. The babitue hesitated a moment, then bent forward and whi red. vker. oe he settled rn in bis chair and shut 1s mouth like a steel trap. in, Do members play poker?” asked the scribe, nnooently.. Ritts?” he reptiod, with a significant jerk. of bis chin. “Why,” he added, after a mo- ment, “there are half dozen or so of the best poker play ers the country knows In this House, cau name three or four who more than double their salaries by their winnings at the table, They make @ habit of teaching new membert the mystery of the game. There are sone ace compli gamblers in the House who play for big stakes—and always win. I haveseen sev- eral thousand doilars change hands at the table in one night, None but members were at the table, | There eno, I guess not. Td" better not give bisname. Bul you know him, He's gota bright little eye, He's the cleverest poker player in the House,” They are all game for my bright-eved friend. "There are only wo or three in the Hiouse who conid afford to play with tius upon their chance of winning.” WHERE TREY PLAY. “ Where do they play?” asked the scribe. “They go around to each other's rooms, Some of the good players have mighty nice guarte: Sha can aifeed to entertain hele gtiests hand: somely. They make it THE HEATHEN OF THE CITY. A Scene im the Rooms of the Central Union Mission. GAMBLERS, THIEVES AND DEPRATED MEN SAID TO HAVE BEEN RECLAIMED—THE STORY OF THE MISSION AND ITS WORK—A RELIO® IOUS CAMPAIGN AGAINST VICK AND CHIME, “The conversion of the heathen in Washing. ton is probably in one sense the object of our work.” The speaker was one of the gentlemen interested in the Central Union Mission at 909 Pennsylvania avenue, and he was talking to a Stax reporter who had come into the room, ag probably thousands of others had, attracted by the sound of religious song. However tamtliar the words and music of sacred song might be, yet there was acertain novelty about the time and place. Above the gay laughter of th crowd of pleasure seekers that surged along th Avenne in the strong glare of the electric light could be heard the music of sacred song. Many pause, sometimes simply to satisfy an idle curl osity fo know where the singing comes trom, and then again in obedience to a strange im* ep step out from the glareand crowd and y nd themselves standing in a broad doorway reading the Inscription “Gospel services every evening.” The hallway is well lighied and & Staircase canbe seen at the end, the isitor presses on the sound of singing becomes clearer. Ascending the old-tashioned winding stairway, for the old citizen will retuember (hab this is the residence occupied for so many years by Dr. J.C. Hall, the visitor finds himself in a. £200. sized room which occupies the trout of the use, THE SCENE INSIDE. The benches and chairs are nearly all filed. with a strangely assorted audience, all of whom, however, are paying strict attention to « man ho in a'rather haiting fashion is trying to tell experience of a religious life. When he finishes some one starts a Moody and Sankey hymn, and all unite in a genuine, hearty style iu the singing. Then follow more’ remurks, ev’ dently regulated by the friendly caution which is exhibited in | letters on the wall, “ Re- marks limited to three minutes,” It is a’ gospel meeting, pernaps like achurch prayer mectity except, maybe, that too large a proportion ol the audien Were evidently not church-oing jm fact, some of m looked rather “tough,” and, indeed, one man in his peniten- al experience said that he was a confirmed drunkard, There were also to be seen Welle dressed men, and @ good proportion of the half= grown boys who are so numerous on the streets at night, After the services the announcement Was made that another prayer meeting would be held, and this gave an opportunity for those who were standing in the back room to come in and find seats, THE STORY OF THE MISSION. THE Sta reporter, however, did not stay for the second meeting, and as he was going out ho was stopped by a gentleman who had been ene gaged in conducting the meeting, and asked in regard to his Christian experience. Without answering these inquiries, the reporter, in tha interests of the Ts Of the pepet. turned the tabies and became a questioner imselt, which elicited the remark ai the bead of this ‘article. Then, in reply to a further request for informa- tion ag to origin and purposes of the mis- sion, the gentleman said: “The Central mission has been in existence a little more than one year, Its growth and cess have excited the wonder of ali. sion Was started to reach people who not attend church. It was thought that a location in a much-frequented portion of the city would attract the who pass along the avenue, Phe results huve proved te wisdotn of te plan, Evangelistic and Gospel temperance work among the dissipated, the vicious, and the eriminal classes establishes the fact’ that hun dreds of the young men of our city, many trained up in Christian families, are 4 down to disgrace and death through the power: ful influence of sinful pleasures and strong drink; that over 4,000 persons, mostly young men, are pass Ubrough our jail and work- house anoual. hat about 20, arrests are ; that 100,000 of our popula- on are not atiénding church on the Sabbath; that scores of desolate homes, blasted hopes and broken heart are resulting from this tide of vice and crime. Atthe suggestion of Mr. L, A. Dougiass, of the Calvary Baptist church, who Was the first to advocate the establishment of a Permanent mission, invitations were sent out to those known to interested, ask: them to meet and taik the matter over. t this meeting it was determined to elect a board of directors to take charge of this work, and the following were appointed and organized Sey tember 16th, 18b4: J. H. Hitchoock, L. Ac Dougiass, G: W. Wheeler, Willian Dubole and N. A. Robbins, Thus the mission was ex tablished, The rooms occupied by the mission,” resumed the Christian wi “are entirely in- adequate to its needs. The audience-room is overcrowded, and ‘the ante-room ‘is not untre quently ith people who stand through» Out the service to hear what issaia.” = SOME OF THE CONVERTS, “ During the year,” be continued, “the num- ber of converts has been very large, and it is increasing daily. One of the first converts was @ gambler who had fallen to the very lowest depths of shame. Having lost all man hood, and become a iow Grunkard, he was so discour- ‘aged Ubat at times he meditated suicide. Going into the mission one evenii soon ter it Started, he was deeply impressed, though drunk at the time. He was svon converted, and for over a year be has been & sober, industrious, happy and useful man. He joined one of the city” ent but continued to work la the mission, and sl of his conversion, often repeated at the meetings, has had'great itr fluence upon many others. “some nine months agoa drunken soldier Was atiracted to the meeting by the singing, and after hearing how others were saved, ho became anxious himself, Being soundly doned hie cupa, and insted of returning tse ‘ani of returning to Soldiers’ Home he secured situation, and has supported himselfever si! He, wo, is now @ member of church anda monthly contri- Utor to its funds. He has been at the mission with great regularity and has been an cilicient helper. One evening recently a professional thief wandered into the mission. lie hus twice been sentenced to fifteen years in the nitentiary, being once pardoned by is ident and once by the governor of Peuu- sylvania. The services took strong bold of Lim and that night he delivered to one of the direc- inch of skeleton keys, with which: plied the trade of a thier. le Was com id has since been an earnest and iaitb- ers, Mechanics, painters, clerks, saiiors and. comm ré,—iInen of all occupatic a inthe. "The history of the coe end sometimes startling in its who has ® young wife and ‘and when to his family. His when and gave bis bappy Some ot'the converts Tere drawn into the ‘mission by the singing, some came with the ‘Pygmalion, ¢’er thou dids't dream the sou! bad pierced Into the marble depths thy haud bad given. 5 Gia iy warm, suse treath epee my hey boom, Quivered the throbbing life: thy hand with grace ‘Touch here and there, moulding the coarser pallid block ‘Thy Kiss sublime upon my chiseled face. Supreme with hope, thy Invocation to the gota, ‘To cause the crimson blood tw ebb and fow ‘Thro’ all my being, trembiing in the carved stone A mighty soul, suffusing god-like siow. ‘Thy welcome glance of love thro’ every vein did thrill) Immutable the gleams the beart reveal. ‘My periect love, the ‘te bie to then, For by thy prayer, I Lmove, I feel. ‘Ab, icles me with the perfect Kisses of thine own, ‘Life is beauteous, when e'er thy sweet glu2%8 ‘Bests on my brow, quickening all the Sov: ing currem Rachaining every power of uterance. ‘I feel death's icy touch Farewell, Pygmaiion; Again the pallid marble claims my sigh, noogh. Toe thee; let that suffice my bites ry Once kiss me; now | die (Mesm. Haves,