Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-11
educational Department.
For the Tribune.
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE

Our hrst, our chief want in Mineral Point
IS ga Peoples College" There are two enterpri-
ses now claiming the consideration of our citi
zens, and both of them highly Important
The one has in view the establishing of De-
nomlnational Academy under the supervision
OF The Methodist Episcopal Church. By ODE
'aon,iaatiozaT' l mean nothing odious-I mean
simply an institution of learning in which some
one religious Denomination has the controlling
influence and looks upon it as especially de-
pending upon them for It's management and
support. Most of the leading Denominations in
this State have one or more such Institutions
Zach Denomination manages its own according
to is peculiar views, and gives that amount and
kind of religious instruction which it pleases.-
The truth is, all OF our higher Institutions must
OF necessity be under the patronage of some
Religious DaaoBajaatjon. 1t is best they should
and il is better that this fact be distinctly
ayowed in the Commencement Of any such enter
prise, when there IS to be a controlling influence
by any Denomination.
The second has in view the establishment of
a"People's College" where all can enjoy alike
the advantages Of a good, thorough education,
free Of expense. # 6't one can succeed give US,
by all means, the Peoples College" But how
can we get up a Peoples College" and what
are its particular benefits
First, we want good. commodious building,
on some OF our delightful eminences-large
enough to accommodate all tie scholars in the
village. That there IS need of buildings of some
kind, no one would doubt after having visited
the places where our scholars are kept from day
to day. 1t Is perfect nuisance yes, Y orse than
that, IN a5oniaatjou TO crowd into an old low
damp room IS boys, from to Is years old, as is
being done daily in "Carter's wagon shop or
nearly as many smaller children in such "diy-
mai dez" as the basement of the PRESBYTERIAN
Church. II the boy lives IN spite Of such cold
damp. poisonous atmosphere, the nan must suf-
fer. If "Uucle Toms Cabin" has any worse
slave pens than some of the so called school
rooms" of Mineral Point, their inmates are sure
y to be pitied, and reform should be immedi-
ateIy commenced. Just go down, Parents, some
OF these bright sunny days, when all nature
smiles without, to one of these Schools where
your children are confined six hours each day,
and you VIII agree with me that our first aoaat
Is a suitable building for our Public School.
Next to the building with suitable apartments,
there should be FIRST Teacher, capable Of CIV
ing instruction in all the higher branches uzu-
ally Taught in our best Acadcmies-on whom
TIE supervision OF the whole School would de-
yolre. There raGst be also number of Assist
ant teachers, according 10 tie number Of Schol-
a-s IN the Sci 81. Then the whole School should
be classified according to the advancement cftLc
Scholars. and promoted to tie hig5er dpart-
n7eHls, according - they progress in their stud
les, This IS the plan Of the "Pc2ple's college
or.'Uuion Free School, which has Of late years
/ been adapted in very many placcs-the Prlds
OF many a village and city.
Til; cd, ant0qes of such a School are many
Frs. IL IS more Democratic than any othcr-as
all the children Of tie village are on a level
The rich and the poor are together in the same
apartment, and advanced only Is they are quail
fled to 60 sap higher"
Second, II Is ctcaPe- than any other system Of
education. = Teacher with his Scholars proper
Iy classified. can instruct nearly double the
number lie can As tEey are nor found in our
Schools. and with far better satisfaction to him
self and Justice TO the Scholars.
Third. all have a5ite the means of a thorough
education within their reach, without poverty
being q barl.cr-an education which VIII quail
fv them for nearly any STATEN Of life which they
may be called vPoTi to al.
We want then, .f5rst and most qt'aH, peoples
C,Iiese'--a .frst class Free School We want it
as the T; gudstioa Of Academies and Colleges
We wan it that the masses of rich and poor,
American and foreign born, may be well educa-
ted Such School is the best adapted to de-
velop the talent Of a community, and afford 10
all the best means Of 4 good, tLorovgh educa-
ton. That we may have such Peoples Col
lece" n Mineral Point, Is the sincere wish of
\ MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE.