Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-04-27
Our Schools and School Houses.

" sotietS III
hers. enterprise and science; with them it adj
v;nces in all these and many other desirable
qualities. In religious point, IT is uniformly
the case that where tie greatest ignorance pre-
wills, superstition, bigotry, immortality, and ali
the vices that human flesh Is heir to- are most
prevalent, while III communities where proper
attention Is paid to the education Of the masses
in all tie branches that tend to the improve
rnent and enlargement of the mind, it is found
that most attentioa IS paid TO the precepts OF
Divine Revelation and every principle that tends
to make men better ane; happier, both here
and hereafter. The building up of churches
to the neglect of schools, is like attempting 10
raise crop without first preparing the sell for
the reception of the seed In both cases, the
good seed sown is retarded in its after growth
by noxious weeds o. an uneongenial nature ii
the church would succeed in the accomplish
lnent of It's MISSION it must aid In securing the
most complete intellectual development OF the
rising generation
Not only IN a moral, but in pecuniary light
may TRACE prosperity to It's Legitimate source
-EDrcArIos. Ignorance and poverty are twin
brothers. Intelligence begets industry and
eronomy, the parents of prosperity
With these facts before the eyes Of the citi-
zens of Mineral Point, wish 10 put few
home questions To every one who has the least
regard for virtue morality, religion. or the al
mighty dollar"
To the stranger who visits our city, we may
With pride point out SIX church edifices that
will compare iavorably with those Of cities of a
create. growth, a Court House creditable to the
place. as fine depot buildings DE fouI.t
IN tie West, beautiful Seminar Gin course of
complction) where parents who have the means
may educate their children In the more advanc-
ed branches of science and literature. All these
speak well for tie enterprise and HberalIty of
our citizens, and tend to render Mineral Point
attractive to the eye of the stranger. But where
are our public school houses Where those
nurseries Of science, literature and morality, in
which are sown the seeds from which should
germnate our future statesmen, professional,
scientific, literary. and other influential and
woman.
To this question only answer little,
old, haif-iiia pidated brick building in the first
ward, and equally unfit frame building IN
the second, both of which entirely unadorn-
ed repulsiye in their appearance, aud at times
unapproachable. except through mud and water
mid-leg deep. The aggregate number of chill
dren that can be accommodated, (no. not ac-
cammodated, but slowed away in these build
ings, with the least degree of comfort, viii not
exceed one hundred and fifty. These
public school houses. AT early period in
the history OF Mineral Point, when her Courts
hal,I -l,,+
single church would accommodate all her church
going population, these buildings were perhaps
adequate tor the purposes OF her common schools.
But that erlod has long since passed by Now,
with population of from 1000 TO 5000 some 1900
1900 Of whom are Of a suitable age to require
instruction in public schools. how do parents ex
pect their children 70 receive proper instruction
IN those antiquated buildings The old log
Court House has long been superseded by
fine stone building commodious churches have
arisen to accommodate rapidly increasing pop
ulation small wood buildings for stores, hotels
and residences, have in many instances given
place to large. beautiful, three-story brick and
stone structures suited to the wants of our grow
ing city Nhy then should our old school hous-
remain In stGt's gro ante dsisailla2 Parents
send their children TO school to become educated.
low they expec. them to derive an ade-
quaie benefit for the time thus spe i if there
not proper accommodations for their comfort
while in the pursuit Of knowledge The State
has provided means for paying teachers. and
have fght to expect that suitable buildings
will be furnished 10y school districts. But. saws
one if we have good teachers. they can get along
In the old school houses. True, they can get
along" So could matchmaker '-get along" in
hacksmiths shop. and perhaps make some
thing resembling watch with no other tools
than are commonly used IN ironing wagon.
But could lie do it in the same time with the
same degree Of accuracy, and put upon it the
same polish that he could do in a suits ble shop
and with proper tools ? We have no - atior,
IN saving that have as competent faithful
industrlous,and assiduous teacher in schools
Mineral Point can be found in the State
teachers whose qualifications and experience
II command the highest wages in cities and
towns where suitable buildings can lie found
for schools Can We expect to keep them IN
less provide proper school houses?
We are well aware the times are hard money
scarce and taxes high But is that a reason WHY
the education of our children should be neglect
ed or imperteetiy secured The disposition
and habits Of the child are in great degree
formed while >, school. Is it not important
then that everything ne done that can be rea-
sonahly done. t" place our children under such
influences while receiving an education as shall
prove beneficial in after life
Let - make an effort 70 have 4 good school
house of sufficient size to accommodate the chill
dren Of the district. fitted mp in the most COM
Portable and attractive style. surrounded hv
pleasing and connections play grounds. adorned
in such manner 10 attract the admiration of
the child. When this Is done. with our present
faithful teachers. We can take pride in calling
attention = our public schools Then children
Of Mineral Point can receive an education that