The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-14
TFoR THE GATH Grill


Messrs. Ho,oeu d Deldplaia:
In my last communication / promisei
that, in my next, | would attempt to shov
that the Public Schools are cheaper. safer
and better adapted to our wants than IN,
other Schools.
A few facts with regard to cost will b
sufficient to establish the FIRST PROPOSE.
ton.
There are now twenty seven teachers EN-
ployed 10 the Public Schools. Their salaries
are more than one-third greater than Ids,
year. owing TO the extreme high prices
of all the necessaries of life. Every other
expense is greatly enhanced, owing to the
same cause.
This makes the cost mu ch more than
in former years; but, compared with pri-
vate Schools, the balance is greatly in on,
favor. We have enrolled abou. I,4OO
pupils.
Our monthly expense for Teachers SAL
aries. Janitors, DC, is nearly fourteen
huHdred dollars--or about one dollar per
month for each scholar.
think Private Schools are obliged to
charge from four to fifteen dollars per
quarter, Of ten weeks, and probably only
able to make respectable living at those
prices.
Our advantage lies 10 our capacity to
classify SO much more successfully. 1t
will be seen that We have about fifty to
each teacher-yet our time lie so arranged
that we give thirty minutes to each reci.
talap.
ID private school Of fifty pupils two
teachers would be required, and probably
more classes than we have.
1t is expected that all the ologies and
ographies, with several OF the languages,
shall be taught. This takes time Of ex-
perienced, qualified teachers. Added to
all the higher branches, they are obliged to
take pupils in all stages of primary educa.
ton. This necessarily costs more than
the graded school.
Your able correspondent, " Intelligo."
so fully set forth the benefits arising from
a thorough system of Public School edu-
cation that the task will be comparatively
easy to show that our safety greatly de.
pends upon a general diffusion of dntelli4
gence and virtue.
One of the greatest dangers in Demo-
cratic Government arises from sectional
parties and designing demagogues. The
UNCONVENTIONAL or arislocraiic school is
calculated to foster spirit of exelusive-
ness; while the Public School, BY bring
ing all classes together on Que common
level, is its most fatal enemy. How often
do we hear. with pride and exul,ation,
" He was my school.mate," when the
names of such men as Lincoln, Grant OF
Sherman are mentioned ?-and it is juss
as impossible to excite prejudice in tie
minds OF those in the humble walks of
life, against the more favored class OF
those who have been educated togetherj
as it would be to induce contention among
brothers Of well-regulated, happy family.
The hear. swells with pride to think they
we're associated on equal terms with such
men.
We need Public Schools not only for
our uational security, but for the safety
of our own city. Probably no tax which
We are called upon to pay SO directly bene-
fits the entire community as the tax fof
the support OF the schools. Almost the
first question right-minded parent asks
when about to locate in a new home, IS,
What Is the character of your schools?''
and if it is found that the Public School
is prominent in the estimation of the peo+
pie, it forms one inducement to fix bis
choice. Citizens of our fair city also feel
greater security in the properly, morals;
and religious tFsining of their children
in proportion 10 the elevated character OF
the Public Schools.
MY last proposition was to show thai
the Public Schools are not only cheaper
and safer, but better than any Other
schools. wish to be distinctly under.
stood on this point. do not claim thai
our teachers are better. or that we teach
with more skill; but only claim, as have
stated above, that the superior advantage
of classification enable cus to do far NOR.
work, and do it to better advantage, thar
it is possible in a private school.
| Our High School, for boys, is con
Quoted by Christian gentleman of higt
literary atsainments. What claim, is
that his school should be ef a more ele
yated character, and instead of beine
obliged to take boys in primary studies
he should have an institution wher,
young men should pursue all the studies
Of collegiate course. The same remark,
will apply to the Female Seminary.
II It would be bard to find more accom-
plished teacher than the worthy Princi
pal of this Seminary: yet, for want of ap
psratus, suitable building, and ali ele
vated standard of education, she is oblige
to teach those who should be in our pr
J mary schools.
!. What | wish to see is, that the entir
. youth Of our country be educated in th
! best possible manner to that point whic
: will thoroughly fit them for all the dutit
! of active Lille in our Psblic Schools. The
: let the Academy, Seminary, and ColIeg
! step in aud complete the course BY ind
!. gvidual effort. There would be just :
tmuoh pronriatv in educatinD thu rarne,