Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1854-02-09
We commence extracts from DR.. LADD
Report, with the following upon the subject OF
large Districts and Union Schools.

We commence our extracts from DR.. LADDs
Report, with the following upon the subject Of
large Districts and Union Schools.
A small number of large school districts in
town is less expensive. and more productive OF
benefits than a large number of small districts
The simplest calculation vii. demonstrate he fact
Suppose town to contain two hundred children,
divided into ten schools of twenty scholars each
Ten school houses must be erected, at cost of
$500 each they must be kept in repair, and sup
piled with furniture and fuel Ten teachers must
be employed alto state low and inadequate
price,-S2o per month, including their board
Let further suppose that, instead of ten schools
but two are made to accommodate all the schol-
ars. The sum devoted to building ten small, in
convenient and uncomfortable houses, and furn-
ishng them meanly, would be sufficient TO COM
plete two capacious, airy, and well ventilated
buildings, divided into compartments for scholars
of different sizes, arranged for comfort and adorn-
ed with taste. A male teacher of superior fitness
could be employed for $50 per month"; and two
female teachers for $50 each, per month, for each
school, making the expenditure fol- principal
teachers and assistants, of fitness and capaci
ty, in both Schools $3.50, instead of $500, per
month, divided into paltry sums among half
of persons raised by their wages scarcely
above mendcancy. The two schools would be
well attended. The means of large and afiuent
districts would enable them TO maintain schools
during eight ten months in the year. Good
teachers would render them attractive and profit
able. The large houses the fine grounds the
shading trees, would render them the abodes of
comfort, health, and beauty. All this would,
moreover, be obtained with taxes SO trihing as
scarcely 10 be felt burden. What contrast
does this presen, TO the scattered houses OF mean
appearance and small dimensions, by the wayside
or on the open prairie the dwindling schools APP
preached with reluctance attended without benefit,
and finally left with joyous of relief; the
earning by profrless labor scanty pi,tance and
district overburdened with enormous taxes.
Union Schools should be established wherever
practicable, and it is practicable in all villages OF
moderate size, and in any thickly settled tract of
country. / have been repeatedly asked, what is
Union School - 1t is such an one as have de-
scribed a house should be built sufficiently large
will probably attend. 1t should be SO divided in
10 apartments that the younger scholars may re-
main together under one teacher, and those more
advanced under another. a third and ntermed
ate department is sometimes frequently neces
sary. Scholars thus classified found 10 learn
with greater rapidly than when crowded into
single apartment, in which all studies are pursued
al once under single teacher, whose attention is
required by many objects that generally all are
In I7nia, Sch oT,
in single department being limited larger class
es are formed and the great body OF the school is
continually under the immediate instruction of The
teacher. Scholars learn better in large schools
and in large classes if not too large than in small
ones. They find many engaged in the same stud
les They have the encouragement and excite
rnent of numbers The pursuit by a large body
OF the same Object, eZcites an emulation and am.
bition for success. a test is mentally applied OF
who shall learn the most and learn il best Each
IS anxious to bear and strives to wn the palm of
triumph. Rivalry stimulates exeItion; it calls
forth energies Of the mind and invests with
thrilling interest the studies that would otherwise
prove a dull and laborious task.
Town Superintendent should resist the constant
opportunities OF members of school districts, for
their division. School districts should not be di
vided except from actual necessity-the imPossi
bility of crossing rivers and marshes to school =
their immoderate and unreasonable size or an IT.
reconcllable conflict of feeling and interest, be-
tween It's different parts. district is not too
large in which the boundaries are a mile or mile
and half from the centre, where the school house
should be located. That distance does not form
too long walk for children confined through the
day TO silence and study. The lungs become OPP
pressed by not and impure air. They should have
time for publication and expansion by the inhaa-
ton of free and cool atmosphere. The muscles
become relaxed or contracted by restraint They
should be invigorated by active exertion. The
blood courses heavily along the veins the eyes
grow dull. the counicnance pallid. Action in the
open air causes the blood 10 bound through the
system, it brings lite to the eye and color to the
cheek. Exercise is necessary to children, 10 the
existence of health and the development of the
physical form and powers. Such reasons are con-
elusive against that too parental tenderness which
sacrifices the health to the ease of the child The
equivocal care, kind perhaps. but fatal which ex-
cludes growing child from the air. the changes
of temperature, ard from physical exertion, is the
surest passport TO lingering if no, mortal disease
A long walk TO school will do children no harm
II is the last reason to urge agains, large school
districts.
Instead OF dividing school districts town super
nendents should attach territory to those districts
which possess, or intend to erect, large and good
houses, on sites easy of access. They should,
when practicable, consolidate small districts By
these means may be obtained, at length, body OF
school districts large and massive in form, veal
thy in means, possessing substantial and capacious
houses, and maintaining schools alike creditabe
TO their enterprise and fruitful of good.
HeGry Gale-Damase 10 the Pisrs-During
Wednesday night the wind blew with great vio-
lence from the North-E East and very heavy sea
came rolling into the Bay. There was good
deal OF ice along shore and the large cakes, lifted