Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-07-23
For the Marshall County Republican.
CONedGN SCHOOLS.

1t is evident that the great mass of the
rising generation around us, will never en-
Joy the privilege of attending other institu
tions oflearning, than our common schools.
OF course then, these schools should be
rendered as efficient as possible The i'm
portance of this subject prompts me to
write upon it afew short communications.
/ Many things in my opinion, operate a
ganst the prosperity Of our common schools:
! !. The most Of our school houses are not
what they should be. Some are so small,
that the exercises of the school cannot be
conducted without great inconvenience
Some are SO cold, that many scholars du-
ring the winter are uncomfortable Some
have but two or three windows, and these
are small consequently the school room is
so dark especially during cloudy weather.
that no studies can be pursued to advan-
! tags. In some school houses, we find
combination of disadvantages.
/ Another class of school houses, answer
tolerably well, in regard TO size, light and
warmth. But they are deficient in another
/ important matter, convenient and comfort
able seats Frequently small children are
compelled to sit in wearisome, painful,
AMI unhealthy position. Under these cir
cumstanccs their studies become irksome,
and going to school is considered by them
as a great hardship.
j shall not attempt to describe minutcly
a properly constructed school house. An
excellent work exclusively devoted to this
subject, will be found III all of our Town
ship Libraries, to which the reader is re-
ferrcd. Suffice it to say that school houses
should be so constructed and arranged, as
to secure the convenience, comfort, and
health, of teachers anil pupils. Buildings
combining all these qualities, will greatly
favor the prosperity of schools that are
taught in them. The extra expense will
soon | . more than made up, in the intellect
ual advancement of those who there re-
ceive instruction.
! Our Shool houses should also he neat
and tidy in their outside appearance
! Their construction should exhibit a good
degree of architectural skill. Awkward
looking structures, arc it seems to me
highly Objectionable as places for the in
struction ofth, rising generation. however
commodious and comfortable they may be,
in their inside arrangements. Architecture
is a study which our youth should culti-
vate as much aspossible, and school houses
combining neatness with proper degree
of elegance in their construction, will have
no small influence in imparting correct
taste, for this useful art In the youthful
mind there is strong tendency to imita-
tion, hence the Importance of throwing a
round it proper influences, in architecture
as well as other things.
Before closing this communication, |
will advance a few thoughts upon mother
I lnatter, iniiulatcIN cOnHcctcu Will TIC suo-
iect under consideration. School houses
should be built in as healthy locality as
the neighborhood affords. \ reasonable
amount of ground should be attached to
them, which ground should be cleared
of everything which Injuries its appearance.
and neatly fenced. The inclosure should
be lcveled, seeded to grass, and planted
with shade trees. These what may be term
ed small improvements, will greatly add
to the appearance Of our school houses, and
render them Far more attractive to schol-
ars.
Let us, fellow citizens, labor to bring a.
bout a reform in shool house architecture.
Our dilspidsted, inconvenent, and un-
comfortable school houses, should be toll
Grated no longer For years they have re-
tarlcd the prosperity of schools in many
localities. We are now able to build good
shool houses wherever they are needed, and
this should be done without delay.
w