The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-05-15
Our CITY Sehoois..Wants.


School Journal, suggests matters worthy OF
the serious attention of our citizens:
| Shall we have another school building this
season. This seems to be AZ imp ortani
question, and one that is frequently propos
ed by all classes. Although the people, one
year ago, voted their boads" for twelve
thousand dollars to erect another house, yet
it may depend upon the necessity of it be-
fore the Board decide to put up another
The best way to decide this question is per-
haps to 60 to the several buildings now in
use, and see if there is not room enough for
all who wish to avail themselves Of the priv
ilegeS of our schools.
Ii is now doubtless well known 20 all that
cur two main schools-Columbus street and
Madison street schools-are full to overflow
ing and have been from the commence
ment
Last week It became our duty to visit all
the branch schools; in the performance Of
this duty we gathered few facts which
may not be unimportant in deciding the
question whether We are to have another
school building erected this summer.
At Ottawa centre we found 81 pupils CT.
rolled, every seat filled, some sitting on the
teachers platform we learned also from the
teacher, Miss Bailey, that several others had
made applications but could not be admit
ed for want Of room; indeed, those who
were in the room were so crowded that they
could accomplish but little or nothing,
hence, by authority of the Board, we dis
missed all but GO and recognized these so
that more progress could be made.
North Of the Feeder We found Mrs. Burns
diligently at work with OIL on her list and
that too in room where only 60 can be
seated; manv were sitting on the raised
floor oil the platform, neither teacher or pu-
pil could move without Inconvenience to
some one. As the house was designed to
accommodate only GO il was found necesSa.
ry to dismiss the remaining 81; large
number Of others wished to enter but could
not.
On the cas-, side ofFox River Miss Hull
had h,r full number, G. as many as could
bc seated las, week, since then she has been
obliged 10 r'jcc, several, many more doubt
less would have made their appearance if
thew could have been accommodated.
H,nst Of the Harine we found about 100
in attendance with Mr.. Millegan an Miss
Whjru0re hard at work with them. We un
dcrstand between 60 and 20 pupils have
been rejected in that part Of the city for
want OF room.
In company with member Of the Board
Of Education, we visited the school IN South
Ottawa, and found some 50 pupils crowded
together in one room with Mr. Delhi labori
ous'y at work with them. assisted by Miss
Dewey. We learned from the Member Of
the Board in company with Us, that there
are in South Ottawa over l2O who are thirst
ing after he Tery rudimea,s Of an education,
Lut many of them canno, get it for the want
a. 81.
ing storms and sca,ding suns"
Friends Of education how long shall these
things be2 Would it not be t.c s,rictest
economy 10 put u3 another editice as soon
as i, could bc erected. With tbs large
plus of children getting their education in
the streets, is It not really needed Parents
and guardians. which of you would wish 10
have your children rejected, sent home CT
ti,rewn into the streets TO be educated =
" no Of YOU have dared even 10 dream so
wildly a. TO come tothe conclusion it.,t your
son OF daughter is not being educated, be-
cause he or she may not be in the schooi
room: Have you seriously counted the
the cost Of this course nf e'iucai'o, you have
selected for them? Do you krow how ma
nv more lessons they will have to take in
these street schools Of iniquiiy before they
will be ready to graduate, not for fame
and glory bat !or shame and disgrace In
the county house in the culprit's cell. in the
pT.-1H. or tie gaLtOrs
Does any one say this picture is too dark:
that large majority Of the children OF or
city are in our schools an awful mist AXE :
Al our bvildings, crowded to the uimo-t a
they are, only satisfy the wants Of 1850; hut
bark, hear the wild cry Of nearly 1900 des-
ri.ute. starving children, moaning for mer-
tai food. CitiEens Of OTTAWA, is this etuod-
(; nal. moral, or Political economy: Can
Won afford to LOOK on unc"ncernedly and
SO the lswfs.. ht-5izge Of this rising genera
ton ruined? Are ss>' rich enough AZ tegH!
anil no,aI rectitGie Il incur his 6ntW e. ;
,.-, 81 ror the sake of sIRirg the cost OF ,
few tricks and little H'-rtar, or viii you
prcpare place, gather in the p.rishing aud
feed them with immortal food?