The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-10-10
Home Correspondence.
TO THE PEOPLE OF ELK
COUNTY.

point in this section of the State a Nor.
nal School," not only for the education
of those intending to follow the profess
sion of teaching, but of all who may
choose to avail themselves of its advan-
tages. Euery citizen would be directly
or indirectly benefited by its establish
ment in our county, aud that end may
be gained by united and well directed
effort.
All or nearly all Of our people have
felt the want of greater educational priv
ileges than are afforded by the present
system of common schools, and there
are many youth of both sexes who would
gladly pursue the different studies they
may have commenced farther than they
can in those schools, but who are pre-
vented by circumstances, among which
are often the great distance to go from
their homes and the want Of sufficient
pecuniary resources.
These difficulties would be obviated
by an institution near at hand and to
which the immediate superintendent Of
the State department of education would
give character and an assurance Of ex-
cellence and permanence.
1t is true the ordinary branches Of
English education may be, in manner,
obtained in the schools we now have,
but how many Of our youth who have
depended only on them are as far ad-
vanced as they might havo been under
competent and professional teachers,
aided by the modern and improved
methods of instruction.
How often has the writer of this
hea.d hi.eesa.-dd men, both old and middle aged,
lament the lack of opportunity of ac-
quiriug knowledge which can only be
derived from books, and which op,
portunity may be, nay now IS, offered to
the people of our county.
1t is truth, the proof of which lies
in observation and experience, that the
higher the educational standard of a
people, by so much the higher is the
moral and intellectual standard Of soci
ETY..
1 propose to say nothing of the phys,
ical advantages to be gained by securing
the location of this school for they are
self evident. No person would attemp
to deny that the erection of building;
sufficient for the accommodation and in'
and the influx of population oonsequen
thereon, would materially and great,
enhance the value of property through
out the county.
1t will be necessary, in order to Sc
cure the "Normal School" for thi
county to raise the sum of Thirty thou
sand dollars, to which the State woulo
add fifteen thousand-making in all for
ty.fve thousand dollars.
l do not understand that the none,
so contributed is to be absolutely dOna
ted, but that certificates of stock are t.
be issued therefor.
Will not some one move in this mat
ter. A few weeks or even few day
may be to late, as other counties ar
pressing their claims, but as yet our cen
trail location in in the district gives u
the advantage.
Allow ME to propose a plan.
Let each township appoint commit
tee to solicit subscriptions within it
borders, and when that committee hav
visited each man in their district, le
them report to some person, In Ridgway
say Hon. Henry Souther or Jno, G
Hall Esq, either of whom, l have n
. doubt, would willingly act as a centri
, committee, the names and amounts sui
! scribed. In this way an expression c
the feeling aad desires of the peopl
! could be ascertained in a very shol
= time.
,, make this suggestion, not perhaI
: as being the best, but as one method
> will gentlemen move in tie matter an
have their reports forwarded to tn
place by the goth inst.
Allow me to add that I have neith
e children to educate nor property to
n incrensnd in value. hut have written th