Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-02-27

"We were elected by the citizens Of Worcester
to reduce the expenses of our public schools if
we cannot do this, we would better resign our
commissions, and return to our homes" were the
words of one of our school committee, when this
subject was under discussion. By this declara-
n, the Board were informed for what purpose
ey were elected to Office, and feeling this their
duty, they have gone into it with zest worthy of
a better cause.
If the community do not pronounce some of
their measures acts of criminal extravaganza,
then have mistaken the intelligence of the citi-
gems of Worcester.
should like to know by what authority indi-
vidual members have annulled the acts of previ-
Gus Boards,-act that have long been establish.
ed and acknowledged BY all, advancements in the
cause of education. At the last meeting, the
chairman of a subcommittee reported that he
had removed one Of the ventilating stoves, and
substituted one of an opposite kline, whose red-hot
surface vitiates the air, and generates poison for
the lungs of our children.
Why was this dones Because it was bad econ.
anes- .sas ar rec OF comfort. Better, in
his opinion, Theoretically seal the room, let the
inmates breathe the air again and again. No
matter if they have consumed its life giving oxy-
gen, if they increased its caloric to save the city
fuel. Not being satisfied with this infringement
he goes still further, and recommends that two
feet be taken from the height of the room, there
by reducing the volume of air, and all this is done
on the score of economy Yet this is not all
man in high position has been guilty of
greater outrage, by removing from many of our
school rooms the most important sources of ven
tilation-he has taken the pipes and air boxes
that conveyed the fresh air to our stoves and fur
Inv oo1. bot
beds of disease and death, rather than the places
of intellectual culture. If you do not believe
this, go with me into those rooms, crowded as
they are with 100 children. The very entrance
will convince you of the deadly poison that loads
every BREATH and one hour will unfit you for the
duties of the day.
And here we confue our children for six hours
of the day, to stultfy the brain and undermine
the constitution with incipient disease, inducing
premature decay. Many will say this is an exag-
Grated picture; let such ponder the following
facts -
To initiate our lungs, it requires forty cubic
inches of air. We respire eighteen times in min
ute, which makes one person in that time con-
sumo seven hundred and twenty cubic inches
Now take one hundred and fifty children, and
enclose them in a room 20x50, and u feet high
and many OF our rooms are no longer than this,
where as many have been crowded-where in the
name of humanity are they to get air sufficient
to prevent suhocation In a room of these dimen.
sions there are twenty millions seven hundred and
thirty-six thousand cubic inches-iust enough for
the respiration of one hundred and fifty adults
nineteen minutes, not taking into account the
quantity that the stove consumes and DESTROYS
No wonder that our little ones return from school
with innumerable complaints, bad colds, sore
threats, and burning fevers, when we subject them
to place ia keeping with the Black Hole Of CAL
6utta, from which but few will escape without
evils that will deform their whole physical being,
entirely uniting them for the high purpose foi
which they were created, and consigning them to
q miserable existence
This is question of vital importance en- some
body rests fearful responsibility. When these
individual acts came befose the board supposed
they would meet with unanimous disapproval
You may judge my surprise when they met with
an apparent appreciation l hope upon recon
sideration they will the importance Of a speedy
action, and give again to our children the same
air OF which political economy has robbed them.