Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-12-10
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The Closing ofthe Public schools.

there are no tyrants and no slaves. .--
-.' 3" JANE G. SwIssHELM.
The Closing fthe Public schools.
Mr. EDITOR At the meeting Of the Board
of Education on Monday evening last to con;
slider the suggestion II will 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 the
taxes imposed on the inhabitants of this city,
if assessed in any city in Europe would cause
rebellion" 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 I am
surprised-nay lmortifed-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
city-one that concerns the entire immunity.
touching not only its educational interest, but
its moral and religious welfare-can be aglta-
ted and none protest? even newspaper
sound an alarm?
| 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 will have come, most
certainly, when our children are denied the
bread of instruction-when they ask fish
and are given I" the stone" of ignorance =
II IL, fha hon IF fho
holders Of the place, whom, if they had only
the wisdom of this world, would see that
measure more impoltic could not be de-
yised
But 20 farther To do away, even f3r a
time, with the Public Schools, is, besides be
ing impolitic, disgrace. Indeed, the prqposi
ton to do this is disgrace, and the consum-
nation of it great wrong-a wrong without
excuse. The report thereof would bring up
On us a reputation infinitely worse than that
Of Reputation. After such an act the doors
# impression would justly close, and the hin,
yes rust because of unturning, while those Of
,.yression would stand widely open; for what
true parent would come to, or what one re-
nain in, a community where his children arc
,i:nied instruction where 'the cradles oi
liberty" as the New England school.houses
have been justly called, are not in use
Neither could any citizen, in whom tre
.anhood yet remains, pass through our street.
Without sense Of burning shame, for hc
you'd encounter our children in idleness, OF
cutting the perrricious training Of street.-the,
the certain road to ruin.
No, Mr.. Editor, anything, everything is to
be sacrificed before such step should be Ia
ken. The masses, no doubt, have paid their
taxes; have discharged their debt towards
supporting the schools and they demand their
equivalent. If those 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-do by them
according to law and take enough of theil
property to meet the debt they owe to the
| children of the City.
During the past year the schools, under the
wise cure of the present unusually ethcie'.
Principal, have greatly improved Nor shoulo
there be any modification of the plan now il
successful operation. 1t would be very Sc
rious evil to allow the Principal to resign, OF
to have him set aside. He is essential to tn
! system His experience is above price. -
Every exertion should be made to retain hun
I say nothing Of the breaking of faith in dis
charging him after an engagement for yea
itself wrong.
The system now in operation, with its even
ing school, is doing an incalculable amount Q
good. Particularly is the evening school Q
especial importance. A visitor remarked +
the writer, after spending an evening at tn
school, that 'he was surprised to find such a
excellent school, and more surprised at tn
ability of the Principal"
Hence, then, no modification of the pla
should be acceded to which deprives US an
the scholars OF so valuable a servant an
friend. Extra exertions have been made
sustain other good institutions in our mids
but this one, our Public Schools, demand
more than all.
Mr.. Edisor,-I am not only parent, but
sincere well-wisher to this City Of my adoI
rion. Not one has deeper interest in tn
place, or yearns more for its resuscitation, br
if our Public Schools by abrogation, for SCI
son, or by modification Of plan are to be ii
injured, have no refutation for remarks mad
against us and but little heart to work for Ii
future ofour struggling City.
, No, Mr.. Editor, ,--Agtate! Agitate!
. A PARENT
December 1st, 1859.