Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-08-17
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School ArchifD0tufo.

Ia conversation with our County Super
int endent have learned FISTS in regard to
the school houses Of our comfy, which be.
lieve viii be instructive 10 your readers.
During the year 1857 there was raised
by tax above $4,000 for the erection Of
school buildings IN this county. The most
Of these houses we're built In rural districts
some very poorly located; many of the
houses were constructed with nine feet sto-
ries. and none with more than ten feet, none
with q recitation room attached but few,
with proper blackhoards. and in scarcely
any was any attention paid to ventilation
one Of the most important features. The
seating is equally defective. There are but
four houses in the rural districts where these
important items have been considered, one
of which is located in district where the
people voluntarily taxed themselves six per
cent. in one year. This. am told, has Civ
en- them house seco i to none in any State
east or west.
These statements are not made with a
disposition to speak disparagingly of our
school houses, for the same gentleman has
told me that. as q whole, +6e school houses
in this county are superior to similar build
ings in many Of the eastern States; but it is
my desire to call the attention Of the citi-
zens to the fact Of the amount Of money
which has been expended, and the i'm
portance Of having our money so ap-
any property so remodeled that the first
money appropriated will be lost. Doubtless
many are aware that house can be SO con
structed as to have that important append
age, recitation room, without any addi-
tional expense. So, too, with many other
very important cOnveniences, which will
add to the comfort and health Of pupils
and yet be but very little more expense.
could not help seeing the truth of the re-
marks in the plan for houses which was re-
ferred to in one of your city papers some
two or three weeks ago.
Ore Of which was a building which will
accommodate fifty-six pupils story fourteen
feet high, blackhoards on two sides Of the
house; platforms; cherry seats on iron
frames recitation room separate entrance
for each set heating aud ventilating on a
superior plan, windows to hang with pull
leys and weights, and Q compile outbui!ding,
all Of which was to cost 800. and it was
to be located on one and one third acres Of
ground Thus money would be we'll expend
ed and here we can also see the importance
of that feature of our new School Law
which makes it the duty of some one to see
that these funds are appropriated in q Judi
cious manner.
During the present year there are but
few houses in process Of erection, owing to
the embarrassing influences OF the present
state of monetary affairs; and, indeed. there
may b. less interest in this important ele-
ment Of society than there should be. As
believe that the true prosperity of peo-
pie depends much upon the interest taken
in the proper training of the young let the
people then see to it, that what money is
expended in this direction is applied in such
a manner as will add to the health of our
children, as we'll as to their mental and NOR.
al culture. CuAs. STrARSs.
august Is, 1858.