The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-23
For the ottumwa Courier.
sCFEcOLIIOUSE AND SCHOOLS,


make a remark few days since, substantial
Iy as follows II feel no special interest in
the erection Of a public school house.. Pll
do my part towards it when the time comes.
But then my children will never be benefited
by il, for ] prefer sending them to private
schools where their improvement and their
morals may be more secure.D That the actu-
a! operation OF public schools has in sume- i'm
stances been such as tended TO drive the intel
ligent aad anxious parent to such conclu-
sion, cannot be denied. Especially is this the
case in the Lever states, where II e common
school system has not been put into full and
successful operation. 1t is also true in some
Of the older states, where but little attention
has been given to common schools. But that
such is the case in general where Free schools
are in successful operation utterly deny
That parents who are solicitous for the men,
tai improvement and correct habits of their
children mus turn the .scold shoulders to-
ward common schools, is a position which
ought not to be taken without serious conside-
rsiior--a position which fully believe facts
will moi justify. s u
AS demonstration of its unsoundness re-
fer to the present state Of education in those
states where the common school system has
had best opportunity Of expanding and produ-
cling is m atured fruits And speak not n
ADVISES ! when | say, that in New Engl-ad,
New York, Ohio. and Pennsylvania, there are
vast numbers Of public schools, and OF every
grade. which are unsurpassed BY any similar
private schools either for thoronghness Of in
struction or correctness Of discipline. The
Free Graded schools found in the towns an |
cities and to some extent in the rural districts
of those states, enjoy the confidence OF every
class in the community, and yield the palm Of
superiority 10 no other kind OF school. An in
telligent lady in the city Of Philadelphia,
herself the teacher Of private school, remark,
ed to the writer three years since, '.There are
no better semnaries for young ladies than the
public schools Of our city," q n n
The late DIR. Ray author Of RAYS ari,hme
tic occupied at the tIae Of his death the posi-
ton of principal Of one OF the Public High
Schools in the city OF Cincinnati-a position
to accep, which he resigned professorship
in Woodward College. In very many OF the
smaller town. Of Ohio and Penn. and else
where, academies, which had been gotten up
some years previous, have lately been merged
N Union schools--andwith the happiest re-
suits. White the schools in the rural districts
have been improved and their efficiency great
ly promoted, towns Of 1000 Inhabitants or
more have been specially benefited, enjoying
in the Union School the combined advantages
Of tie Primary School and the Acadamy.
Now in view OF these facts have to sug-
gest, that, although we may ha e seen inef-
fcent and worthless public schools. vet all
that ia necessary to make them efficient and
in high degree beneficial. is effort. The same
exertioa, on the part of those who are really
soliciions for the welfare Of their children,
which is necessary to provide for their edu-
cation privately, would. if put forth in that
direction. establish public school, afiording
advantages not inferior, in reach Of all in the
community, and FIRE E to all.
Why may we not have free graded school
in Ottumwa, with room and teachers for the
accom- nodation and instruction Of 300 schol-
arsp all that is needed to effect this desired
end is little prompt effort.
But there may be those whJ will be fright
ed st the expense which such ar enterprise
wonll involve, and whose pleasing rereries