Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-10-05
EDUCATIONAL.

phcAtlOn 10 ills scDOOl.
Undoubtedly. If any man with n the
corporate limits of this city. were to be
questioned as to his paramount wish rel.
ative TO the city schools, the answer
would be in substance, that nothing
would more fully. meet bis personal wish
es than to see them taking the front rank
among those of Ike character and pur-
pose. Not indeed attaining this posi-
lion by rank. fiugous growth; but by
a sound, healthy development in all
parts, alike. Hence. according to well
known and long uncontestcd fact, giving
assurance ofpernaneht and lasting good.
The question naturally arises, how can
this happy condition Of afff irs be brought
about? Most assuredly not by the ef.
fort Of one man alone. A public school to
be profitable for those whose great OBJ
ject is the acqui rement of knowledge
and that term covers more than the in.
formation found within the lids of text
books--must be the result Of combined
&C ion on the part Of lst, the Board of
Education; 2,l, the teachers; and Sd
the patrons of the school. 1t is the
prov ince of the Board TO legisate, of the
teachers to execute; and again, Of the
Board TO sit in judicial capacity upon any
questions of doubt, or contested action
Notwithstanding the evident belief to
TO the contrary, the great body constitu-
ting The governed, formed no party to
the administration of affairs, further than
in the election of their representatives.
From the nature Of the work to be done
it is imprac;icable for them to do more.
When this body corporate does so choose
its officers, the act is in itself equivalent
TO saying ;-"Gentlemen, in selecting
you as our legal representatives to fill.
and perform the duties of, an office where
you will be the recipients of few thanks,
and no pay, we have made choice of the
best men it is in our power to obtain;
and knowing that, should your way o.
conducting our schools be contrary 10
our ideas of propriety, even as unani-
nous body, and opposition to it, during
your term Of office will only injure the
efficacy of the school, we promise to nc.
cept your course as our course; believing
that in your integrity you will take the
same action that any IF US would, were
we to understand hll the points of the
case ms well as you will when you are
called to act upon any speciality"
Permitting this digression.-if it is nd
mitted that the above position is one
due to any gentleman who, without re
Enumeration, entails upon himself the un
avoidable cOntumely Of the ignorant and
and inconsiderale, shall we consider that
man selfish, or conceited, who individu-
ally attempts to reverse the decision of
the Board Of ,Educauon. q
We are exceedingly gratified TO know.
that so far, no one has considered them
selves aggrieved in any important partic
ular. But in the execution of rules
which the Board have found it necessary
to make, we are safe in asserting that
there will be those who will raise their
voices in long and loud opposition to the
same regulations, which, were they as
conversant with tho necessities of the
case as members Of the Board ale, they
would unhesitatirgly establish themselves.
Then how shall people who are de-
termined t at their children shall have a
school, first class in its discipline and tut
ton, at which TO spend their passing
school days, take sides, if take sides they
must? Any answer to this would be
superdui:y, and any one having at heart
tie best interests Of all, instead of sci
fish regard for his own personal conven-
fence, will not make it necessary for any
one to determine. Hardness and irreg
ularity of attendance has been IN this
school, and is at this time, as in many
others, the greatest stumbling block in
the way of the efficient working out of
course of tuition which does justice to
those present who make the sacrifice nee
essary TO the regular and punetual at,
tendance of their children ut the school.
tits the right of every man who goes
to the expense, and often Inconvenience,
SoucC1ucbt upou tuo uOONc, 10 ueiiidOu
of those having in charge the manage
ment of the school, that they secure for
his children, by whatever means neces
sary, an entire and lasting immunity
from any inquiry TO their interest by
those who do not look upon the acquisi
tion Of an education as so important.
The Board of education governing in
the present case have so taken action, and
that, too, with careful and deliberate con
sideration of the subject in all its bear
ings.
The question here in this particular
instance is more potent one than
"Will You accept their best action 2" 1t
is in fact--"Wlll you insist upon having
absolute and entire justice done your
selves and children in this REQ ard Q"
If SO, nail the first innovation upon them
by such public disapprobation of the first
malcOntent, as will be warning exam
pie to others suffering under the same
malady. Were il not for the fact that
our communication is already too lengthy,
perhaps, a statement of the rule govern
ing in the cases of hardness and absence
would be given, as others less important.
But rs other communications will follow
we leave them for another OCCASION
From time to time such honorable men