Evening Star Newspaper, November 17, 1887, Page 4

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THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. ~ THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. HEIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT. Now Before the Committee. A REVIEW OF THE LAWS UNDER WHICH THE FREE SCHOOLS HAVR BEEN DRVELOPED—THE ASSUMP- ‘TION OF POWEKS EY THE COMMISSIONERS CLaiMED To BR UNLAWPUL—THE ACTION OF THE coMMIS~ SIONERS CONDEMNED AISO AS BAD POLICY—THE CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS FAST AND PXESENT—A PROPOSED LAW TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL BOARD WITH FULL POWERS. As stated in Tue Stax yesterday the sub-com- mittee on schools of the Citizens’ Representative Committee of One Hunared made a report at the meeting of the Committee Tuesday night, and sub. maitted with it the form of a bill to submit to Con- gress, Following is the full text of the report and the bib “Your committee, to whom was referred a num- Yer of reports and resolutions from Citizens’ Axso- Giations respecting the management of the public schools, have had the same under consideration, ‘and now beg leave tosubmit the accompanying draft of a bill, and to recommend that an execu- tive commitive be appolated with authority to present the same to Congress, aud lo urge Its enactment into a law. ‘THR LAW OF 1804. ‘The first school law of the District of Columbia was passed by the city council of Washington, in December, 1804, and was put in operation in 1805. It provided for a board of thirteen schoo! trustees, seven tobe appointed by the council, and six by contributors to a fund in aid of tbe council's ap- propriation of $1,500 for the support of the schools. Kach contributor was to have as many votes in the election of trustees as hecontributed sums of $10. President Jefferson contributed $200, and consequently was entitled to twenty votes. He was chosen a trustee, and also president of the Doard, and accepted in the following letter: “MONTICELLO, August 14, 1905. “grm:—A considerable Journey southwardly from this (place) has prevented iny svoner acknowiedg- ing letters from yourself, from Mr, Gardiver, aud frow Mr. S. H. Smith, announcing that 1 had been elected by the city council a trustee tor the public schools to be established in Washington, and, by the trustees, to preside at their board. I receive with due sensibility these proots of contidence from the city council and from the board of trustees, and ask the favor of you to tender them iy just acknowledginents. ‘“wtncerely belleving that knowledge promotes the happiness of man, I shall ever be disposed to contribute my endeavors towards It, 1's exten ston, and, in the instance under consideration, will willingly’ undertake the duties pro} to mie, 0 far as Others of paramount obligation will periait my attention to them. ‘I pray you to accept my friendly salutations apd my assurance of great respect and esteem. MOMAS JREFERSON. “Rowert Brext, Esq. “chairman, &¢.” Judge William Craseb was also a member of tills first school board, as were Messrs. Munroe, Duvall, Tingley, Brom! ‘ayloe, Smith, Blagder Dempsie, King, aud the two Brents, Robert an Wiliam, ‘The general grant of powerto this first school board was conveyed by the words ‘entire direc on of public sehools.”” The board was to have “the superintendence” of these schools—superin- tendence being the word used instead of mau: nd the power “to pass ail necessary by- “to receive donations,” “to appoint a treas. and “vo vest and apply the funds placed under their care, in such manner as they shall see The city treasurer was required to pay over ‘their treasurer the funds appropriated by the coupe for the support of the schools, Under this grant of power tue board established an “Eastern School,” Gu Capitol Hill we suppose, and a “Western School,” lovated, we have been Just south of tbe Post-office Department bulliling. The board appointed the teachers and aade ali necessary regulations, ‘THE FREE-SCHOOL DEBATE. For about forty years the powers of the school Irustees were not greatly changed, although the Jaw was several times modified, A Mr, Ould ap- tw have been the most prominent teacher in ‘he early days, and after him a Mr. Henshaw. But Guring this period the public schools appear to Lave been free ouly to the indigent. ‘Those who jere able paid a tuition tee ior their children, About 1841, under the administraion of Mayor Seaton, a Warm discussion sprang up, headed by ‘the mayor, over a proposal to levy a tax suffictent to make the schools free. A good many men of national fame took in the debate, such as John Quincy Adams, Mr. Justice Woodbury, Caled ‘Cushing, and Cuas Hudson, while three clergy- men—Davis, Bulfluch, and Hale—maintained the Feputation of their calling by taking advanced gund tn favor of free common schoo! In 1842 a report was made by the committee on schools of the city council, in which they say: “They would, if in their power, abolish at once and forever the schools which are now regarded, nd perbay 80, a3 inere charity schools, and um their stead the pubilc or common Schools, to be supported by a direct tax on all as- sesaible property, and to be enjoyed allke by the Fich and the poor. In the system which Your com- mittee contemplate, and which when matured ‘taey will submit for your consideration, this odious distinction will ‘be avoided. Taking for their model the admirable system which has pre- Yailed 30 ly iu the northern anJ eastern sections of the country, and which bas been re- ‘cently tntroduced into our neighboring States and ties with such triumphant success, they hope to De able to present a plan which will meet the fav- orabie consideration of the counell and the public. Jn the scheme which they thus contemplate the whole system of education, so far as our action €ap extend, will be under tlie control of the cor- poration, and of uch wise and discreet persona a8 may be chosen, either by the mayor and the board of aldermen and common councti, or by the people ‘Wemselves in their primary asseinblies.” Mr. J. F. Haliday and Kev. C. A. Davis were the active Inembers of tue committee, and In Decem- ber, 1844, Just forty years after the Brst school law ¥ the second important law was en- act ‘h greatly Improved the organization of ‘the system. Under this law the city was divided into four school districts, and three trustees were elected annually by the ciiy council from each dis Irict, making a schoot board of tweive members ‘While the board acted as a unit in makihg rules and regulations, and tn all general matters, yet dome rute Was the anlmatng principle of the Law. ‘Tue tree trustees of a district were constituted « | “sub-board” for the practical supervision of the senoois in their district. The general powers of this board of twelve trustees in the management Of the public schools were substantially the same as will be particularly recited in the next law, hereinafter referred to. This law of 1844, however, Wes not a free school law, for the trustees werd required to charge pupils @ tuition fee in advance of Bot exceeding 3 cents w month, abd only tn case of obvious faability to pay tuition could pupils be admitted free. This plan both continued and Produced social ‘distinctions and ll-feelings, and Was abandoned about 1848 Ten years later, In 1558, Was passed the law upon which the present school system ts based. This was the principal ‘Scuool law In force at the time of the passage of the act of June 11, 187%, providing for the present District government. THE LAW OF 1858, ‘This act of 1858 Nxed the school board at twelve members, three trom each district, as provided in the act of 144, but added the mayor to the board as Its presiding officer, The general grant of power to the board was in ‘these Words, namely: “Said board shall Rave the mancgement ot ali public schools in the city of Washington,” Here chen we find the word “management” em- ployed to convey a general grant of power to the Sehoot board, and further on in the act is set fore ip getall wnat Was inciuded in the grant. “suc. 5. The board of trustees shall have the power to appulnt all teachers, assistaut teachers, and sub-assistant teachers which may be author- ed by law, and the samme to change at pleasure: Lo prescribe the course of studies and the books to De used inthe schools; but no books shail be e unless Dy a vote of two-thirds of the whole board, and the books in all the sehuols in the sev eral districts sha: be unlform. “The board shali also wake and execute such by- laws, rules, and regulations for the management Of the sehovls as they may deem necessary and Proper. « “They shall cause an annual examfnation of all ‘the publte schools * * * aud shall make a writ- Yeu report annually, &c. “Sac € The board of trustees shall divide them- selves into as many s parate sub-boards as thee may be school districts, for the exercise of practl- eal supervision over the public schools placed under fuetr jurisdiction, severally subject at all umes W the control of tie board of trustees.” COLORED SCHOOL. ‘The law we have been citing was an act of the ity couneil of Washington, and applied to the ‘White schools only, but the act of Congress of May 2, 1862, under which the colored schools were established, provided that “the board of trustees ‘of sehuois fF colored Children shall possess all the powers, exercise the same functions, and have the Sane supervision over Lue schools fof the education of colored catidren .n Washington and George- town,” a8 are conferred upon the trusters of schools for the education of wuite children in sald ities by virtue of (he laws aud ordinances tn ree id cities respectively.” [12 Stat, 407, Mey. Sta De Cyieee inp a ‘Therefore, so far as Washington schools were concerned, ihe laws existing at the time of the passage of the present orguuic act for the District tne school Goard to appoint ail teachers (ex the superintendents, hereiuaiter to be UU and to take Uke enlre executive management the scuvols, D GEORGETOWN. 1 government! ‘Tue public schools of Georgetown, Like those of | Til, then, of the provisions of said act of Washington, originated with the people tlem- selves, and for many Years were largel pported: Dy private contrivutions aa = Corcoran, president, and Joun Abbot, secretary,” memorialized the city counctl, forth Uldt the Janabitants of Georgetown b: been ruining annually by private subscription “about g90u" for the su Of & pubiic school, and as Lats sum was i juate they applied w tae vrporation “for sowe public assistance.” i anotoer memorial on behalf Of the “George. tore Lancaster School” signed by ley, Daniel Bussard, aid Munro, commit tee,” and also 4 list of ninety-five cluzens sub. seribery to the schoo! tund. 14 answer Lo these memorials the council Font" praweat schoolhouse to" Scan i » id sehoot.” - the council ordained that hereafwr yearly and every of (ue Lancastertan finfgw ot Sctrasing tne explonts Aad tur Counc! ‘sat four counctimen i ils i Pa He i 4 8 Hy il iy bd As eary a5 1M10 | U Willian Marbury preseated to the coun. | were “overs Bever- | more Tully trom Ue a pointed “to visit the schools occasionally for the arpo.e of examining into the poltee thereof, and Tus system of fpporuing: and managing the public schools seems to have continued for twenty-seven years, but In 1842 an ordinance w: ‘which provided, “That the schools now ion and supported by on oUt of the patie be ta‘en wi -xclusive care of the authority,” and that a board of s-ver for said schools be annually appointed by the council, he ordinance “vested” in this board of Said schools and fo mamage the same 16 sel same Uc interest.” Here again the word manage was empioyed to convey, generally, a rant of power to the school guardians; and it'is followed, as in the Washing- ton law, by @ more specific statement of what Was meant by the word “manage,” to wit: ‘The power ‘to, make Dy-lagrs and regulations,” and “to elect appotnt the respective and necessary teachers from time to time.” THE couNTY. ‘The schools of the county were organized under an act of Congress approved May 20, 1862, which provided fur a school board (of seven members), and authorized said boara— First. To receive and disburse any fund which may be provided for the purchase of sites and the erection (of buildings) and the support of primary schools” In the county. ‘Second. To regulate the number ot children to be tauguit in each of said schools. “Third. To select, upon & thorough examina- on, such teachers’ as are competent, givt euch a certificate of quaitfications, without which no teacher shail be entitied to receive pay, and to ‘x thelr salaries and terms of service. “Pourth. TO suspend or expel from any school any pupli who Will not submit to reasonable rules of order and disctpline therein. “eltth, To prescribe the course of study and the text DOoKS to be used In the schools; to regulate and control tue purchase and distribution of books, maps, globes, stationary, and ocber things neces sury for the Same; and generally to prescribe rules ing of Sub and regulations’ for the management of said schools, ssi. To to the legislative assembly, at the close of each school year,” expendiiures, num- ber of pupils, attendance, progress, and such other Statistics as the assembly may require. “seventh, To select, purchase, or oLuerwise pro- cure suitable sites for school houses; to adopt _ and cause such school houses to be built aud cept in repuir, and furnish; to supply the same with necessary fuel,” &. (Rev. Stat. D. C., Sec. 27a) ‘TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT. In 1871 Congress repealed the charters of the cities of Washington and Georgetown and abolished the levy court of the county, and sub- sututed therefor one Government for the whole District; and in section 40 of the act of February 21, IN7T (16 Stat, 428), making this change, it was provuted that— ‘All laws and ofdinances of said cities, respec- tively, and of said Levy Court, not inconsistent with tbls act, shail remain in full force until modified or repealed by Congress or the legislative assembly of the Dist of Columbia.” Thereatter, August 23, 1871, sald legislative as- sembiy provided, that— “Ail laws and Ordinances of the portions of the District of Columbla known, respectively, «& the city of Washington, city of Georgetown and county of Washington, in réjation to the public school: shall be of full force and effect in each of 8 — 80 lar a8 not inconsistent With Unis act,” c. Tn the same act, section 38, the assembly pro- hibited the payment of accounts “not approved and audited as herein provided,” and it was therein Provided “That all accounts against the board of Wrustees of public schools, when found correct, shail be approved by tue suid vourd.” TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT, Under the act of June 20, 1874, establishing a temporary government for the Listrict of Colum- Dia, the Comiisstoners therein provided for were “authorized to abolish any office, or to consoifdate two or more offices.” Under this power the Com- missioners consolidated the four school boards then existing, one for the white schools of Wasb- lngton, cousisting of twenty members; one for tue White schools of Georgetown, consisting of seven members; one for the colored schools of the two cites, consisting of nine members, and one ior the white and cojored schuois jolotly, of the county, consisting Of seven members, into one board of trustees Of public schools, of nineteen members; and this consolidated board succeeded to ti powers and duties of the four boards which they superceded. Subsequently this board was reduced in bumber Uo Hine members by tue act of Congress Of July 1, 1s, (22 Stat, 1: June 23, 1874, Cougress re-enacted the laws ap- Plicabie Co tue ‘colored schools and to the county Schools, (Rev. Stat. D. C., Secs. 276 to 320), THE PRESENT LAW. Finally, in 1878, the present law was enacted, which declares that, “Said trustees (of public Schools) shall have the powers and perform the duties tn relation to the care and management of be public schools Which are now authorized by ‘w.” Whilst the consolidated school board came into existence clothed with, and for a considerabl + iod continuing to exercise ail the powers of lormer boards, yet by a series of occasional orders, the Commissioners of the District, from time to time, somewhat interfered therewith. ‘These interferences were, however, of such minor character, aud in such entary particulars, as: to Occasion nO special cussion, or resistanes, ‘wnt on December 30, 1885, the present Commis stoners noUfied the school trustees “That tuey, ‘and not the trustees are clothed with the authority to the proper creation and regulation of ‘the scbools; that is Lo Say, the selection of the super- intendent of schools ahd bis assistants; of the teachers who are to have charge of each particu- lar school, and of the persons to whom are to be lntrusted tne care of the school houses. Besides ‘Unis the Commissioners have the duty tmposed upon them to select sites for school bulidings, to determine when school-houses are needed, and. to erect them Worn needed, and to fix and determine the salaries of teachers.” ‘This order practically superceded the authorit: which for eighty years had controlled the publi Schools. The School trustees were thereby reduced to mere advisory agencies of the Commissioners, who thereafter assumed all the administrative or eetts. powers theretofore vested in satu trus- ces. ‘This radical departure trom the prior meth- ods of managing the public schools of the District presen rily presents two main questions for con- jerati Ist, Whether the order of the Commissioners 1s based upon authority of law. ‘2d. Whether such a transfer of powers from the trustees to the Commissioners 1s good policy or Warranted by any experience of a shuilar nature in the management of public schools in other cities of the Uait States, IL AS TO AUTHORITY OF LAW. ‘The Commissioners claim that they are clothed With all the powers respecting the pubilc schools which are conferred upon the District authorities, except such as are ‘Ifleally vested In the board of school trustees. And the powers so vested in — are prescribed by the statute in these words: “Said trustees shall have the powers and per- form the duties in relation to the care and man- agement Of the public schools which are now authorized by law.” (Sec. 6of act of June 11, 1878) ‘The Commissioners say “that tue terms ‘care and management’ (as here used) have reference to schools a8 complete institutions, fully organized and equipped with teachers scuool buildings, and Janitors. When the school is tus a complete in- Stivution Its care and management 1s assigned to the trustees.” (Com’rs letter, Jan. 20, 1886; Sen, -. No. 72, 49tu Congress.) In another letter, that of December 30, 1885, they define “the t-rm school as embracing a school-bouse, @ collection of pupils, a teacher, and @ Janitor;” and their theory appears to be that a School must be ereated with ail these parts before it can be managed: and as tue trustees have on ¥ the power of management, the creating part must necessarily fall to the Cotnmissioners. Thereiore, until ihe Commissioners have provided # rooin, and collected in 1t the puplis,and appointed a teach: €F, and a janitor, the trustees have nothing to do, because unl then no school exists for them wo Manage. As a necessary sequence they claim that Luis power of creation involves the power of con- Unuance and re-creation. As a practical result of Unls theory, 1t appears to your coutalttee that the entire executive control of the public schools 1s Dodily transferred from the trustees to the Com- | missioners.” All independent functions of an ex. ecutive nature previously, and by express recitals Of law exercised by the trustees, are, In fact, de ‘Stroyea. Such functions are either wholly denied to the trustees, or if nominally exercised by them, their acts are’ subject to apnulment by order of tne Commissioners. So that wuutever forms of Organization of a board of trustees are kept up, they are in fact simply a subordinate agency ot She Commissioners, ‘and subject, wo thes ‘superior wi Ip our opinion this 1s not a proper construction of the statute. 1ts provision as Lo the powers of school trustees, is in a single sentence: “Said trustees ‘Shall have the powers and perform the duties in elation to the care and management of the ‘pub He schools which are now authorized by taw;” and the only question is what were the “powers and duties” then suchorized by Luw? We have bereto- fore shown that tue school system of tis District commenced with an act of 1804, which created a board of trustees, having the “entire direction of the pubic sehools:” and the power “to pass all necessary by-laws;” “co recetve donations;* =to ap- lot a treusurer;” and “to vest and apply the jnds placed under their care in such manner as they shall see ML" We have also shown that whatever changes subsequently occurred in the system of our public schools (as for in Stance, from charity to free schools}, thelr entire Management was continued in boards of trustees with substantially the powers conferred by the original act of 1804, until the general law of 1858 Was enacted. We have shown that this was the of | pinetpal “authority of law” in force and appil- ‘able to this subject, when the act of June 11, IS7S, created the present District te A Should’ be conclusive as to the “duties” in tue “care and Which tight. be adduced, because tbe necessarily concluded by the expess Of powers contained in the ongunic ‘The trustees were tO have the duties “which are now authorized the powers and duties: a. ‘act Of 1878. “smc. gy and with the adyjee and consent ot Ridermen, a boat of trustons See and the books in all districts shall be uniform, dition to the other duties prescribed by this act, shall divide themselves into as many subboards a5 there may be school districts, for the exercise of practical supervision over the public schools placed under their jurisdiction, severally subject at all mes to the control of «te board Of t a ; anere shall be appointed annually ‘the bord of trustees one male teacher for each of the District schoos, who shail be the princt thereof, and who, during his continuance in office, shall have cnarzé, subject to the direction of the subboards of trustees respectively, of the school house and appurtenances tl ‘and shall take due for its preservation.” *” * * ‘This sec. tomthen pi to fx @ schedule of maximum salaries, which, however, shall not “prevent the board of trustees irom employing teachers at a 1s rate of compensation.” “See. 11, ‘The board of trustees shall annually fur- nish to the board of aldermen and board of com- mon council estinates of the amount which may be necessary for the payment of the teachers and assistant teachers, for the purchase of books and stationary, and fot all other contingent and neces- ‘Sary expenses of each of sald schodis,” &. It will be apparent that thes? are aflirmative nd not simply advisory powers; that they are Wers springing {rom an original and exclusive jurisdiction, and were entirely inarinontous with a subordinate or even concusrent authority. Yet they are the identical powers taken frou the trus- tees and assumed 0 the Commissioners by the order of the Commissioners of December 3), 1885. Such assumption, and all organization or action th reunder, seems to your committee to have been clearly without the authority of law. ‘The mon- eyed control of the pubile schoois has been con- cedediy lodged with the District Commissioners; but within tue flnancial limits preseribed by then the entire execulive management of said scbools has been confided by law to the byard of trustees, 1. AS TO THE QUESTION OF GOOD POLICY Anvolved ina transfer of powers from a citizens’ School board to the poiitical branch of the District Government, when the District Commisstouers, by thelr aforesald order of December 30, 1885, as- sumed to themseives the executive managentent Of the public scuools, Ukey found tuem tuoroughly organized under a corps of experienced and com- petent teachers, That organization and those teach- ers were the resuit of the care and management of successive boards of trustees, who for eighty years had deen selected from ‘the body of our people, and wno had been responsible oniy to the law aud their teliow citizens for the proper per- formance of their duties. ‘The local and political governments for the tim> Deng could appoint or Femove these trustees; but Uley could not other- wise lawfully revise Or control their official acta. Under the intelligent: management of these suc- cessive Doards, our school sy=Lein Was fostered and developed to its preseet condition of effictency aud 00d repute, Without then undertaking to enter into an analy=is of the various and forcible causes which sperated to bring about that result under the School board system, it 1s suflicient vo emphasize the Fact OF US existence When tue Commissioners changed the system in December, 1885. Indeed that foliows necessarily If the District Commissioners corr ctly claim tuat the schoos are now in god condition; because the intervening period has been too short to_perinit of the development of any marked lunprovemeuts into cowpleted results un- der a new system, Itis, however, represented to your committee that there are marked differences In the operation Of the two systems; that under the former systeun the gradual promouion of the general body of teacuers according to value und duration of ser- Vice, Was inuugu ated and malutalued under the direct supervision of the entre board of trustee the record showing an average of 275 visits to the Schools by each city trnstee for each year from 1874 Co 1880 (UI respect we hav present system salaries and promouons are indivi- duaiized, and are practically subject to the Judge ment of a single Commissioner, Wuo, In connection with his otuer public duties, can make but a re- stricted number of Visits tothe several hundred choolsia the Disirict, and hence can have but a finited knowieue derived trom personal observa: Uons of the qualifications of teachers and the de- tallied condition of tue Schools. Tn the one case it 18 suggested that the reward of merit Was tue product of a general princip which reached not only those suiposed to posse: some “phenomenal apUtude,” buL aiso the whole of teacuers in the ratio of their respective merits, and thus stimulated and encouraged tne entre corps. An the otuer case it 18 maintained that the neces. sity of caring for other interests, coupled with the existence of a one-man power of recoumendation, naturally would lead to favoritism and indivi: duaitzation, rather than to any general principle of merivorlous advancement, Another illus ration of the differences claimed toexist between tbe two systems was the even development of the entire budy of the schools under the school board plan, and an excessive and disproportionate development of tue ulgher grade Scuoo.s Under the Commissioners’ plan, In the opinion of your committee, and having a proper regard for the interests ol ‘the higher grades, tue Weight of power and attention should oe thrown in Lavor of lower grade schools, Where the educa- Uon oF the great Of our public sciool chil. dren commences and ends, It hay also been represented to your committee that under the former school board control, rutl information in detail couceratag tue adialalstra- on of the schools was printed in the annual re- | ports, which were distributed among the people and | Were ‘accessinie in thal convenient form to every citizen, and also that at least a monthly report Was tnade Lo each parent of the progress aud stand ing of iis child in the scudul, Waile now the keep- Ang of accurate records appears to be officially dis- couraged, and the printng of annual reports, or the furnishing to the general public of equivalent {ufortuation th conventent form, has becn discon- Unued, as also in part has been’ the making of a monthly report to each parent. Your couuittee 18 nol unaware that some of these generai statistics are printed in the mouthly tuinutes of Une present advisory board of trustee: Dut these ininutes are ‘not accessible to the gent ral public in any practical form. An occasional ¢lazen might obtain access to them, but could even then only ascertain summarized results upon any given point by himself making the necessary cal- | culations, after @ tedious examination of the min. xumined); but that under the utes of all meetings for the entire year. This diminut.on in the volume of accessible statistics, and the consequent withholding of facts trom the conventeat examiuation of the geueral public, has been urged upoa your committee as a striking Proof of the tendency of the present system tO choke up the channels of public knowledge about ‘the pubile schools, and to dissociate the manage- ment of the s¥stetn from avy Iuumediate connec tion with and depeudence upon the general mass of our people. Additional points of differences between the for- mer and the jong ‘systems have been pressed with much force upon your committee, Such as ‘the arbitrary reduction of the salaries of t achers from the established scnedule; the selection of sehool-house sites without proper consultavion With oF reference to the convenience of the people whose chfidren are to be provided for; the butiding of school houses upon very objectionable plans; the imposslotLty of a proper supervision over vari. ous expenditures of public moneys, such as for the making of repairs, &.; and many other tmpor- ‘Cant suggestions of a similar character, It is im- possible, however, for your committee to subialt a detatied analysis of all these various poluts; and we Wii conclude ths branch of our report with & brief reference Lo the significant fact that the ex- eases of the public schools have increased 20 per cent during the past two years, whilst the increase Of pupils for the same time has been less than 10 per cent. ‘To verity tnts statement your committee took the aygregate school +xpenses for the two years of Commissioner ingnagement and compared them With the aggregate school expenses for the two Years next precedl ig— ‘Aggregate expenses for the years IBSS-6, esse cons $1,147,949,37 Agyrecaté expenses “for the’ “years 1887-8. settee ++ 1,376,937.48 Increase in two years. 5 Which is a fraction of over ft hr ic ‘The average increase ot pupils for the past two years has been a fraction less than 10 per cent for every two years. The increase for the last school year was less than 3 per cent. The increase for the oe School year is, Of course, not at there 18 NO reason Lo suppose It average for the ten years last past. ee eciehySoseate Ge dees rge; but cent for increase of pupils, the increase ‘of expenses ts double that ntage, It has been that a part of 48 TO THE SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT Prevailing in other citiesof the United States, your committee has heretofore shown the system Which prevailed tn this District for eighty-one e period whose statistics in this | ; Hp i | i ii B a fit a 5 Lf i ; i ae tro, i a ix the compensation of teachers, but established at the commencement of each year shall not be increased during such ear, “Suc. 7. The school committee elect the superintecaent of schools, and a board of super- ‘Visors, CCusisting of not more than six members, and shall define their duties and Mx their com- pensation. The superinten ent and the board of supervisors shall hold office for years, unless sooner removed, ‘Uhey may be re- ‘inoved for cause at any time by the school com- mnittee, S:c. & The votes of a majority of the school committee shall be necessary to elect the superin- tendent of schools, the supervisors, the head masters of the Latin and High school, the masters ot the Grammar schools, or the director of a special study or exercise. “sec. 6. Whenever in the Judgment of the school committee a new buliding, or any addition to or alteration of a bullding,{s needed. for school pur- ‘of an estimated cost of over $1,000, they Shall make a statement in writing w the chy council of the necessity of the proposed building, addition, or alteration, and no contract for tue purchase or lease of lands, or for the erection, pur chase, or lease of any bullding, or for any addition to or alteration of any building for school pur- poses, shall be authorized by the city council unU) ‘he locality and plans for the same have been ap- proved by Ube school committee, or by a subcotn- mittee thereof, duly authorized to approve the same.” In New York city the schools are managed by & general board of Uwenty-lour m mbers appointed vy the mayor, in whom are lodged the exclusive executive control of the schools, and also a very large authority in all matters relating to sch Ol propery. not being dependent on any mumclpal dy elier tor tbe purchase of sites or the eree- tion of school-bouses. This general board also ap olnts the local boards, of which there are @ large umber, In Vhiladelphia, like New York, there is a general Dourd and local Doards, the members of the gen- eral board being appointed by the judges of the Superior Court, and the members tne local boards being elécted by the People. The powers of the general board are shared in part by the 1o- cal boardy Dut together they manage the public scuoola, In St. Louis there fs a school board of twenty-six members, chosen by the people, and this board, in addition to the executive mas ment Of tue schools, is entrusted with their entire financial management. In Chicago there is a Schoo} board of Hfieen members, appointed by the city council, who, In addition to executive control, build all the school houses, The sites are purchased by the city council, In Cincin- hati the school board consists of My (7?) meunbers. chosen DY the people, aud naw tue usual powers, In Louisville the scnool board cousists of twenty-six members, chosen by the people, and has the usual powers, In Baltt- more the school board consists of —— members. In Buffalo the school authority 19 said to be merely a special comumittee of the city council, anc Chis is the only clvy, 80 far as we have learned, where Lhe schvol board is mixed up with the poll- teal authorities, buteven here the manageweot appears 10 be by a separate board, thouzh com) ‘ot members of the city council. Clevevnd, havlug about the same population as the District of Co- lumbla, has a school bourd of eighteen members, and Worcester, Muss, With a population about one-Ubire large as we have, haya sehool board of tweniy-five members, Without furtuer men- Uon of iudividual cities, We may summarize the powers of scuool boards tor cities in tue United ‘States as including add Unat relates to Instruction, aud in most cies very considerable control over expenditures for School purposes, As suited In the cltcular of the Bureau of Educa- Uon No, 1, 1885: “They Lave power to certificate, elect and dis- miss teachers, and generally to fx'iheircompensa- Mon; they determine the grading and ts ‘study Of (he schools and prescrive the text bool to be used. They make the reguiations for admis- ‘sion Of puptls Lo the different grades of schools, Tor promotion from one class to another and for graduation, but are not empowered either to es- tablish schools or provide tor tsirucuon not authorized Ly law; neither have they the custody and disbursement of the school moneys,” In the last published report of the Bureau of Education, 1 5, pages 116 et seq., is a list of two hundred and two cities, showing how super- Intendents of instraction are appointed. "In one hundred and seventy-cight of these clues the a pointinent is made by the city school boards; ip five by State boards of education; in two by boards of visitors; in ten by popular élection, and iu seven only by poiltical authorities, The Dis- ‘trict of Columbia Is of the latter class, CONCLUSION. After a careful and extended Investigation of this general subject of the proper system of managing our public schools, your committee are of opinion That Mhe exciusive executive control of our schools and Of all Instrumentalities incident to the con- duct thereof, should be lodged with a board of trustees, drawn from the body of the people, and that such board snould be suficienuly numerous to insure such detailed performance of mnspection and other duties as will practically and not theo- retically cover the entire District. Auy supervis- ing authority to pe exercised by the Di urlct Com- missioners should be through thetr power of ap- polntment aud removal of the several trustees; abd, 50 as not to disturb the general system of monied accountability provided by Congress for the District, t ustody and disbursement of ail monies should be left in thelrexclusive control, BUt 1 the executive management of the schools should be dis ciated from political authority and its necessarily compromising incidents, and be entrusted to the gy who share the ex- penses thereof, with the Geueral Government, and whose children are to be educated therein. In this way alone can the schools for any ex- tended period retuin thelr hold upon the sup] of the general body of our citizens, without whose well-sustained interest aad confidence Uneir long continued prosperity and suecess will be tin sible. And, in order tw exercise independent functions with any practical effect, such a bourd must be invested with exclusive control over all the subordinate agencies and instramentalities which necessarily enter into and make up a com- plete public school eystem. ‘The accompanying bill ts accordingly submitted with the recommendation that an executive com- tulttee be appointed by you to present the samme to ‘Congress and to urge its enactment into a law, Rowext Reyecey, M. D., chairman and delegate from Citizens’ Association No. 6. W. ScoTr SMITH, secretary and delegate from Citizens’ Association No, 8, v z Burrow, delegate from Citizens’ Associa- on No. 5, yc; GuBENLEES, delegate from Citizens’ Associa. m No. 7. W. H. A. WoRMiey, delegate from Citizens’ As- sociation No. 6, ‘ nu Grguce Wutre, delegate trom Citizens’ Associa jon No. 1. irae: Farnow, delegate from Citizens’ Asso- cia‘ ion N Cas. E. Hovey, delegate from Citizens’ Asso- Clation No, 4. COMMITTEE ON SCHOOLS. THE BILL PROPOSED. ‘The form of the bill submitted with the report is entited “A bill to create a Board of Education for the District of Columbia, and to prescribe its wers and duties,” and 1s as follows: “That upon he passage Of this act the Commissioners of the District of Columbia shalt appoint, Unree persons from and residents in each of che elghe. existin School divisions of the District, who shall conte tute the Board of Education of the District of Col- umbia, ‘The term of office of one-.bird of the mem- vers of the board first appointed suallend on the 15th day of July, 1888; one-third on the 15th day of July, 1889, aud one-third on the 15th day. of ip of ulting from ex; tion of term of office shall be filed by appoinuments for three ‘and wll vacancies eeulling trom other causes shail be filled ty appointments for unex- ured terms; but sald Cor ners may, in their scretion, at any time remove any or ail of said members from office and fll the appotnuments. “Each appointee tering upon the duties of his seribe an oath of alirmation to siipport the Gon. stitution of the United States, and faithfully to aid in executing the powers conferred and per. forming the duties imposed upon the board by and said oath oraMrmation shall be fled of in the office of the Commissioners of the District, jum! ei all executive duties in connection therewith, ‘They shall appoint a secretary who shall perform such duties a3 a to him, and ‘rhey shall ers whenever, in the opinion of the board, a new ‘sehool any addition to, alteration of, w Swe pager tet and ‘orconventent for tbs. proper admlale re adminiscration poate ed pleasure, but no by-laws or made, oral wo acre aye 0. board ofeaueation the Commiss! hange the number of itm alvi- sions as Now estab nen #0 recommended cor. Tesponding changes in the composition of ‘the ‘zo. 4. That all laws and parts of laws incon- sistent with the this act are hereby Entertaining “ir. Blaine, HE AND MISS BLAINE DINE WITH DR. EVANS, THE AMERICAN DENTIST IN PARIS, New York Herald, Evans gave a dinner this evening to Mr. Blaine at ‘their sumptuous and artistic mansion Avenue de Bois de Boulogne, A delicate perfume of superb: pink, white and tea roses greeted the arrival of the guests, and the eyes were dazzied by rose-colored lights, a cl 1 and @ profusion of crysant us. ifteen covers: ‘Were laid, and in the doctor's 3] jous aviary ad- joining the dining-hall were 500 of the rarest rds, Chinese pheasants, birds of paradise, and a sacred ibis, for Walch @ man had traveled thou- Sands of smiles in Africa, All except perhaps the dodo chirped their lively chorus of welcome to Mr. Blaine ag be ascended the palatial steps of tne Evans mansion, The table Was adorned with colored lights in silver candelabra and a center-piece of Pink and white chrysanthemums in a mag- nifcent sliver jardintere. On the right of Mrs. Evans sat Mr. Biaine; on her left was Minister McLane. ‘On tne ‘left of Dr, &vans was Miss Blaine. Mra. MoLane and Mra Blaine were unable to be present. The Misses Strickland, Mr. De Horrach and Gen. Mere 1th Read were alsO among the guests, After dinner there was a re- ception, ————-e0_ Dynamite Outrage in Canada, INSPECTOR ANDERSON'S HOUSE AGAIN BLOWN UP— ‘THE OFFICER STUNNED. A dispatch from Orangeville, Ont., says: Last night the house of Inspector Anderson was again blown up by dynamite. ‘The charge was placed on the veranda at th front of the house, and two front rooms were badly suattered. The veranda 18 a complete wreck. Mrs. Anderson, who was alone in the house was sitting beside the ‘stove nthe dining-room. and was badly shocked, ‘The inspector se vel Jeft the house and was only about ten yards away when the explosion occurred, He Was stunned by the concussion, A nove was found tacked Wo the fence warning him to desist from bis efforts vo enforce tie proksbition law now tn operation here, and statiag that ne might con- ratulate himseif that he had not been blown to he town, ‘This i tne sixth dynamiie explosion that has occurred in Orangeviile in two years. The perpetrators are unkown, a Not a Fragment of Them Fi SIX MEN BLOWN TO PIVCES BY THE RXPLOSION OF DYNAMITE AT HANCOCK, MICH. ‘The explosion of dynamite at Hancock, Mich., yesterday, briefly reported in Tue Stak's dis- Patches, was a terrible one, the six men who were killed being literally blown to fragments. The concussion was terrific, according toa Phil..delphia Press special, shaking the town as if by an earth- quake, and at once the streets were filed with ex. cited people, nearly all of whom hurried toward the powder houses with blanched faces and urem. | bling Iimbs. Arriving there It was soon seen that hohe ot them had blown up and the crowd sepa. Fated into stnall parties, who hurried trom one part of the town to the other endeavoring to solve tie | mystery. At last the Hancock Chemical Works, ‘situated'¢ miles from town, were thougut of and & Tush was made 1g that direction. Arriving there ‘Une party were astounded at what they saw, or Father because there was nothing whatever to see. ‘The packing-house of tue chemical works h .d been as clearly swept from the fuce of the earth a8 | thoush it had uot exisied at all. But arriving on What bad been the site of the works tiny spiinters of wood and here and there minute fragments of the tron roof were found, but not a bit of bune, a drop of vio! or a scrap ‘of fest remained of the Six persons Who were Working ln the packing Works at the ume, ‘These persons were: Willle Kenaud, Charles Burkett, Thomas Thomson, Tim Crowiy, and Wilue King, all boys between fifteen and eight. gen years of age, and William Lapp, jf. & married ian, Who lec¥es a widow and one child. Just where tue building stood Was a hole, cont- cai in shape and about 12 feet deep, and in ts the sand Was packed as hard as ceuient, showing the awiul force of the explosion. ‘The packing-house Was a small one, and was situated a quarter of a mile from the other bulid- ings of the works. Every buuding was more oF Jess shattered, und the employes who Were near- est describe tie explosion as ali but stunning them for sone moments. Several were knocked down, Dut escaped with ‘a few bruises. ‘They describe | the explosion as an awful concussion, and say the | packing-house disappeared 1n a great ball of smoke and Uhat no fragments cou.d be seen, There were ubout 1,600 pounds of dynamite in the packing-house, and the persons working there Were simply rearranging tue boxes of the explo- sive to secure more siorage room, Just what caused the explosion Will, of course, mever be Known. Arrest of a Girl Tramp. SHE HAD BEEN TRAVELING THROUGH THR WEST 48 A BOY, WITH A MALK COMPANION. ‘The police of Adrian, Mich., have arrested on suspicion Jasper Moss and a companion named “Jimunie,” who arrived there on Monday and said they were looking for work. Jusper claimed that he Nad traveled through neighboring States with hig half-brother, as his companion was called, and wanted work badiy. The poitce found on. pro- ceeding to search the pair that “Jimmie” was a tuily developed girl of seventeen, After some coaxing she told an interesting story. Shesald her ame was Jennie Hanes and her people respect— able residents Of Montpelier, O.; that sbe and Moss had been tramping together for nearly a year and had been all over tue country; that they Jumped freight trains with the expenence of old Uramps; liked the life and proposed to continue it. ‘The girl said tt was the first Lime her sex hud beea suspected and the only time she was arrested. She 13 fairly educated and more tuan tainly bright, and blames Moss for the mishap wuich has Low: berallen her. Her only regret 13 that sue Wus hot born # man, and she 1s: her best to make up for it, She ‘will be heid awaiting word from ber parents, ae ‘The Crown Prince in Good Spirits. TAKES A WALK AND RECEIVES DOM PRDRO—AN EX- PLANATION FKOM VIKCHOW. jagdoin come. Intense excitement prevails tn | 4 9:00 am. 12:05, 4:20, and a rua ner of 14th street and station, wi a at the office, upasy!venia: coniers can bey left for tue {0 geativation from botes and “General Manager. 4] __ Gen. Passeng BAL tone and on0 RAILROAD. SCHEDULE IN EFFEGT OCTOBER 16TH, 1887. LEAVE was 3 OF NEW SERGEY AVE ASDC SI ee oa, Exp. Daily 10:558 m, ‘For Citeinnat! and St. Lous, Exp Daily 3:15 and peor Pittsburg and Cleveland, Exp. Daily 10:55 &.uty For Lexi and Local Sta 10:10 For ‘Newark, and: Wituiurton, 7:30 & E 330 p m., daily, Express, ee ii intermediate atations. 11:90 p.m. ma, stay) Ait seauone ont Metrayubine Be tee lupin at al stauo vobvan Be. Bor Frederick, 110:33% thy 15°90 p.m, um. ‘own, +10:10 &, m. and +3:30 p.m. hice, daily, «24 ond St. by iclphia, Chester, and Wilmington, 10:43 B38 nS yt ally, #1230, toe duigerly and ty Bu timore, 10:00 8 ine daily Ponts BOR Oe Bait 10, 0: op Drain te a3 » 2:15.15, 3 a 30, and 1100. 00, 4, un, 1 230, and 11:00 p. mi, Zid, 4:10, ‘ ‘YExcept Sundaj. Baggage called forand checked at botels and rest- ences on orders leit at tice, PENNSYLVANIA AVENCE OMe® O10 and 1351 WM. CLEMENTS, Manager. NEDHORE AN LINE ched ule in effect Sep 8:30 AM East Venu. Mail Daly 41 for Warrenton, Gordonsville, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and uations Detweeu” sicsandria and. Lynchbare” Mine tadae Borage Alicchcas Span, Baa Deane ee Galera ston vat New Orlosne” Full ie ete aah wr Orleatie Mail Daily for Warrenton, Char. ile, Gordonavilie. ntations Chee. § Obie howe, Ignchbure, Rocky Mount, Danville aid Stations « tween Lynchburg and Danville, urecusboro. aie’ Charlotte, “Avant, Birmi Montgomery, New ‘Orleat, Texas and California. Pulltuai nieepee Now York to Atlanta, in connection with Pullman Blocpers Atlanta to New Urieans, and Mann Bouduir Blochors for Birmingham, Vicksbare and Sureveport. Suid frais Washington to Atlanta. Doey not contiect for Ee rele ee a nae 2:85 B. xcept Sunday, for Strostlurg. abd intermediate stations. © Commecte ot Riverton with S. V. K. It tor Luray. arriving 8 pa. 3:30 F. M-—Wosters, Express "Daily for Warren, Gorionsvill , Charlottesville, Louisvil raat, and Su vaner’ resorts on and’ near line of Chea and Ohio route. “Pulbnan ‘Sleepers and. Solid “Weetne Siaghnwtou to\Loueyilte alan Ur Lanchbnne B Lt, Chattan os Men usa, atte Rock. ‘aud at south: western points. “‘Thronh Pullman Sleepers Wash ton te Memphis without chause. eed 11:00 P.M —Southern Express, Daily for burg, | Danville, Raleish..-Aahevills, Chatlotin, Columbia, Aikeu, Augusta, Atluita, Moutgousers. Wee Qricans, “Texas” aud Cslifornia.” Pulliman’ Sleeper Washington to Galvemon, Texem Via Atlanta, “Mont komery and ‘New Orlecas Pulluan Mieeper Woot. ington to Aiken, S. C., without chauge. rains ou Woshitwton aud Olav division leave Wash- ington 9:12 ACM. ‘Daily exc. pt Sunday, and 4-45 B. M- Dally: arrive Hound Hill 113" A Mant 4.46 Fe ; Heturnme leave Round Hill 6:05 A. M- Daily, and 10 BM Dal ‘Sunday, vashingtwon 8380 A. 3 and 8:35 Bea” Svan Wash ‘Through trains from’ the South vis Caarlotte, Dau- ville aud Lypebburg arn Washinton and'8:253 PMC via East Teuneagee, Beton mad ace 1 AMaua S407 SI M. Dune ar 10:45 and” Obio route and O47 A ‘POTOMAC RIVER BOATS. ALLY LINE TO FORFOLK FORTREMS MOM- D ‘HO, AND Tuk soUta <4 Steamers GEORGE and THE LAKE one of whieh Teange Wantage § Ae erg. also witivall liver fait maou ise ‘Bteame lands at Fis paigamee Leary ot suey Fomnt going audreturn- returning, dag. Thureley aed sare eons and eh aed ‘Passengers rates will be after the 151 straight ticket and G3 round tapers ee 15th AP for Mt veRxox: MT. VERNON? STEAMER W. W. CORCORAN Leaves 7th-sireot Vernon and iver Lauren 2a fas donee af) £08, ME, 20 crclark an. “Keturning, ‘rescbea “Washiagton \s16 ** 1. L. FLAKE, Captain, TEAMER BOY LEAVGS 7TH ST. WHARF S: ane Thursday, at 7 = ‘Sundays, 1 ae Lar ag Creek: Potomac river Grinder's wharf, Sundays down snd" Weduesdays up. pakke ——— and Mon- _ JOHN MoGABEE Bison. pytshk: 4 good spirits, Letters are constantly being received in Berlin from all parts of the crows prince simply applied toa small portion of the growth tn the ‘throat Dr. Mackenzie, He said that every yuainied with the mature of the at to Know that 1t Was pousibie that cancer honed ft F 5 & m Traty.—In eaid bis would be Talvoaced | AyS, and SAT it am. Kett AY! 8, and SUNDAY p.m. touching at Rive. a rs as forex Ne Crecas Carrigan to Sete ae oe __OCEAN STEAMERS. ‘TLANTIO & WEST INDIA LIN NEW AND CHARMING WINTER TOURS. British, Daniah and French West India Islands, *s, BARBACOUTA, ~ Bailing 17th Dec., 28ch Jan., and thereafter. ‘Sday OF more at St Croix, St. he. eee An- ‘ke. LOOK! LOOKIf LOOKIN The Weekly Star, ——— se The Weekly Stan —-——— THE STAR'S POCKET ATLAS OF THE WORLD. | 8 8 special and extraordinary taducement the WEEKLY STAR has puedo premium in the enage fa POCKET ATLAS OF THE WORLD to be given to every future subsoriber to THE WEEKLY STAR Guring 1887, THE POCKET ATLAS ts = Randromety-priated book of 181 pages; 80 are full-page colored mapa, ‘setting forth the geographical features of the whole world tn minute detal; 101 are flied with read- (ng matter, condensed into a graphic presentation of all tbe facta in the social, religious, political ané (dustrial history and condition of every State ané Territory in the Union, together with 48 culond ‘Gagrams showing the relative strength of different industries and of different products im various ‘States, and other items too Bumerous to mestion, ‘Tee maps and date hve been prepared with tbe greatest poasible care and are believed to Bs thoroughly reliable, If ten cents be enclosed with the subscription the Pesket Atias Will be sent by mail, postage prev ald, at subscribers risk, otherwise (t will be seat by expres at the subscribers expense ‘THE WEEKLY STAR contains Associated Prom and @pecial Dispatches from sll parts of the World, reporta of Congress and all the Governmest Departmenta, United States Courts, Washington ‘News and Goaslp, Political, Personal, Society apd Local affairs, Stories by (he Leading Authors of the ‘World, bright Correspondence from all pointe of Interest, Weekly New York Letters, Home Articies, Fashion, Religious, Literary, and Agricultural Notes—in short, everything that should be in the bess Paper of the most interesting city of the country, It ts an eight-page paper of Gfty-ais long welb ; Qiied columns, and coms only One Dollar Year, 4N UNEXAMPLED OFFER!!! 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