Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-12-10

The Closing ofshe Pubiic schools. s,,,
Mr. EDrToR Att the meeting Of the Board
of Education on Monday evening last to con-
slider the suggestion y win not dignity it with
the term proposal-of closing the Public
schools at the end of the current year, the
Mayor, who presided, remarked, that I" the
taxes imposed on the inhabitants Of this city,
if assessed in any city in Europe would cause
rebellionshr Now, it strikes me, that the
suggestion, even, of closing the Public schools
in this city, is greatly more cause Of rebel
lion than any amount Of taxation; and am
surprised may, mortified d-that the matter
should have been broached and no more stir
made thereat. Is it possible that the abroga-
ton of the most important institution Of the
cty-one that concerns the entire community.
touching not only its educational interest, but
its moral and religious welfare-can be agita-
ted and none protestg-not even a newspaper
sound an alarm? ~1 ~,
I had thought the heavier load had been
laid on the shoulders of this burden bearing
community, but, the heaviest is yet to come,
it would seem, and it win have come, most
certainly, when our children are denied the
bread of instruction-when " they ask fish"
and are given the stone" Of ignorance -
and this, too, at the hands Of the property
holders Of the place, whom, if they had only
the wisdom of this world, would see that
measure more impolitc could not be de-
yised.
But 90 farther. To do away, even for
time, with the Public Schools, is, besides be
ing impolitic, disgrace. Indeed, the proposi
ton to do this is disgrace, and the consum-
nation Of it great wrcng-a wrong without
excuse. The.report thereof would bring up
on US a reputation infinitely worse than that
Of ofrepudiation: After such an act the doors
i fingression would justly close, and the hin
ges rust because of unturning, while those of
cgression would stand widely open; for what
true parent would come to, or what one re-
,lain in, a community where his children are
denied instruction !-where 1.-The cradles oi
liberty as the New England school houses
have been justly called, are not in use!
Neither could any citizen, in whom true
gaanho0sl yet remains. pass through our street,
without sense Of burning shame, for he
you'd encounter our children in idleness, or
cutting the perIrieious training Of street.-the,
the certain road to ruin.
No, Mr.. Editor, anything, everything is to
be sacrificed before such step should be ta-
ken. The masses, no doubt, have paid their
taxes; have discharged their debt towards
supporting the schools and they demand their
equivalent Ifthose vino owe larger amounts
refuse to pay, and thus cripple the school sys,
| tenn, then let them be dealt with as they would
be were they possessed Of less s-do BY them
according to law, and take enough of their
property to meet the debt they owe to the
children of the City. ;ol T9R.f ..''''".'.
During the past year the schools, under the
wise cure Of the present unusually eficie'.t
Principal, have greatly improved. Nor should
there be any modification Of the plan now in
successful operation. 1t would be a very Sc
rious evil to allow the Principal to resign, or
to have him set aside. He is essential to the
! system. His experience is above price. -
Every exertion should be made to retain him.
say nothing Of the breaking Of faith in dis
charging him after an engagement for year
itself a wrong a..r .al4@~.as,4f# j"
a The system now in operation, with its even
ing school, is doing an incalculable amount ol
good. Particularly is the. evening school Of
especial importance. A visitor remarked to
the writer, after spending an evening at the
school, that ''he was surprised to find such an
excellent school, and more surprised at the
ability of the Principal" w.. ...-e-.
Hence, then, no modification of the plan
should be acceded to which deprives US and
the scholars OF so valuable q servant and
friend. Extra exertions have been made te
sustain other good institutions in our midst
but this one, our Public Schools, demands
more than all. 5a ....
Mr.. Edisor,-I am not only parent, but q
sincere well-wisher to this City Of my adop
tion. Not one has deeper interest in tht
place, or yearns more for its resuscitation, but
il our Public Schools by abrogation, for sea
son, or by modification Of plan are to be in
injured, have no refutation for remarks made
against us and but little heart to work for ths
future ofour struggling City.
No, Mr.. Editor,-Agitate! Agltatel
80 -s. .'1."s'aH J A PARENT.
j December lst, 1859. ~ ia -. ~ S.+...
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