Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-11
[For the Journal

Mr.. MAHIN ALLOW me, through your
columns, to call the attention of our citizens
to the circumstance that Mr.. Frederick Stone,
the teacher of the private school, is about to
leave us, and the school to cease. / cannot
think it is the wish of our people, or that they
are willing that this should be. lie is going
away because he is not supported here in his
undertaking to maintain the school, For
several years, we were in want Of such an one,
and wished and desired that some one would
come and open such an institution. He came
and opened school, and has proved himself
a good teacher. lie has kept good school.
HIS scholars have made good progress. This
is true OF those who would study, and if they
did not study, it was their fault and not his.
we wanted such a school, and still want it,
tor several reasons, and, among others, one is
that the public schools are too full. DO not
let any one impute the evil motive that some
wish their children in more exclusive set,
There is nothing in this. All of us who are
parents, especially of boys, are sensible of the
benefit OF their associating with others of all
sorts. The real reason is that, while the
teachers of the public schools those we now
have, at least-;re excellent, and are as good
as any others; yet the schools are so large
that, when boy or girl arrives at the age
when hc can profit the most, he wants more
time than the teacher can give.
Another reason for sustaining private
school is that we often wish-and must,
necessarily, wish-our children to pursue
some studies which cannot be taught at the
public schools--I mean they cannot, because
the regular course Of common school instruc-
ton does not embrace those studies, or the
numbers do not permit the teachers to 90 into
them. There is no want of ability in the
teachers, in this respect; but it arises from
the nature OF the case. In some cases, our
sons or daughters have got along so that they
wish to pursue branch-such as mathe-
matcs-to the higher branches, beyond the
usual reach of public school instruction. 1t
may be SAID that the teacher can do it, and
the system does not forbid it. True; but we
| come to practical obstacle. There NAV be
but few who wish to advance thus, in some
one study, and we are told that it is impracti-
cable to sub-divide the school, or classes, in
this manner, and so increase their number
or, if it is attempted, there is not time for
them.
Again, some desire their children to study
the ancient or the modern languages. The
Latin is now being studied by several scholars
in Mr. Stones school, and some have lust
entered upon the French. The question is
not whether it is well for them to do this.
We may differ upon this. I should like to
| have my chlldren-both sons and daughters
study some Latin. But should think none
could object to the French; and I hone the
German will be introduced. But this is
wandering. My argument is that we need
| q fnr
study, and some for another. Now, if our
sons and daughters are to pursue studies in
this way, and we DO not support school
here, in which it can be done, it follows that
we must send away, at much greater
| expense, and subject to other disadvantages.
We should not be governed by the fact that
our children may not want, Just noso, anything
more than the public schools afford. Will
| they not, in little while hence? If we expect
| they will, we must keep up the school. 1t
will not come at our call, and at any time,
and especially at the call of ,te,o. Some OF
us have been trying, for a long time, to main
tain such school in our town, and have
hoped it would become permanent institu.
ton here. We have been at an expense, in
order to keep the school, and to have it become
established and grow, and have very serious
| doubts whether we can start another in a
long time. Some of the rest of us, as well as
Mr.. Stone, are becoming disheartened.
Such school is needed, Mr.. Mahin, and is
| strongly required, in this town, and it is a
shame to us, if such place cannot, or will
not, sustain one. If any are willing to assist
by sending their children, either now or here.
after, let them make it known to Mr.. Stone,
Immediately, as he will leave very soon, unless
he receives encouragement and support.
l write this, sir, from no motive but such
as is felt by parent who has children to
educate. l have omitted one thought. Some
may find fault with the present teacher OF
his assistants. His faults can be cured by
the suggestion of a friend. Again, we cannot
find one without some defect Who is per-
feet? Let us save what we have, and dc
what we can to render it better, and not lose
all, both for the present and the future, too
Let him go, and you cannot get another tc
come here for long time. Do not YOU
children need him, now or in the future?
Yours truly, w.
Muscatine, March 7, 1859.