The Placer herald., 1870-10-01
Colfax Correspondence.
CoLFAx, September 28th, 1870,


EDiToR HERALD: Next to our hopes Of
the souls salvation may be classed the cause
of education and the proper culture of the
rising generation. In order to effect this no
pains should be spared, nor nothing left
u,done to forward the cause. Owing, !
presume, to the scarcity of money in the
School Fund, our public school has been
closed for several months. 1t was opened
again on the 1st instant under the auspices
of the Trustees, with Miss Slater, of Sac
ramento, as Principal, assisted by Mrs.
Gardner in the Primary Department. Miss
Slater comes to us with the recommendations
of the head of the School Department of
Sacramento, and otherwise recommended
As | have always taken lively interest in
the cause of education. paid visit a
few days ago to the school at Illinoistown.
No one knew what my business was, nor did
make it known. | was met by the teacher
with courtesy, and invited to seat. l then
had an opportunity to look around, and to
some extent observe her system of teaching.
During the time for study everything was
silent, not even whisper was heard in the
room Then the classes were called each in
their turn in regular order, and with such
precision that it would have done honor to a
tutor at West Point. Each class acquitted
themselves in a creditable manner, and with
an earnestness worthy of emulation. To
give you proper description of the merits
of the different classes would require too
much time, suffice it to say that Miss Slater,
with her accomplished assistant, have estab-
lished systems and rules in their departments
not surpassed by any in the State, and our
trustees are entitled to credit for making such
judcious selections. Yet notwithstanding all
| this we have some malcontents. Such,
doubtless, will always be the case in the best
regulated communities. We have not es-
capped it. 1t seems we have young single
man among us who objects to the selection
of the Trustees, and positively asserts that
neither Hodgsden, Hines nor Story knew
anything about school matters when they
made the selection. This young scion of
literature had better study his A. b. C's
before he commences factious fight against
the unexceptionable choice of our School
Trustees. Go to school, young, man and
learn something.
g. Know when to speak, and silent when to sit,
For silent fools oft pass for men Of wit
We intend to run this growing young
man next year for School Superintendent on
the Independent Ticket. Look out, Mr. Kin
cade or Colfax will consign you to private
life !; your tenure of office is but doubtful
when we place our young mechanic and en-
bryo lae,aH against you.
RAILROAD DEPREDATIONs
Scarcely week passes but what we hear
of some accident on the railroad caused by
the reckless carelessness of some of their
employees. Last week almost fatal acci-
dent occurred near New England Mills, four
miles below Colfax. The particulars of the
case, as have learned froma reliable source,
are these Mr.. Clark, who has been for a
long time i'll the employ of Fnshland & Co.,
butchers, was driving his team as usual at
the time in question, always cautious
when approaching the road, he stopped to
listen for the trains Satisfied all was right,
he went on. Scarcely had be reached the
track when the down freight train came upon
him with double speed, and not until they
reached the crossing did they give the least
alarm. On the approach Of the train Clark 8
team became unmanageable and sheared
partly off the track, precipitatng the driver
across one of the rails. Fortunately Mr.
Treasurer, of Colfi,x, was near at hand, and
extracted him just in time to save his life.
| Clark was badly bruised, but is now fast
recovering This is not the first instance
| have been called upon to record similar
acts of wilful neglect on the part of the rail-
road company. Is there no way to remedy
it? Or shall we submit it to what they do
without murmer? Clark is unable to
institute suit against the company because he
is poor, and hence crime must 60 unpunished
How long, oh Lord, how long.
Our court calender this week has been
light. The law firm of Q. & NJ. it seems
have partially put stop to criminal trials by
their actions in a case which have mention
ed in my last. After this law firm had
cleared White in the way they did, the JUS
tice says it is useless to try similar cases
where they defend unless we have stronger
bars in more permanent building, and
blacksmith shops at a greater distance.
Mack