The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-01-19


the past school gear.
The average attendance In the inde-
pendent districts was 061, about III per
cent. Of the enrolment, and about SOL
per cent. Of the enumeration. The av-
erage In the sub-districts was 2.6S2, or
about $50 per cent. Of the enrolment,
and Az per cent. of the enumeration;
making total average of seas, frac
ton more than one half Of the persons
OF school age In the county.
From this fact we derive the follow
ing: Nearly one half of the money
raised in this county for school purpos ~
during the year ending Sept. 10th, 1870,
was total loss. At first, this seems
amazing; and alone would indicate
an indifference to popular education,
not existing in other communities; a
thorough investigation, however, will
satisfy any Que that such Is not the case;
the average attendance in this State for
the year 1869, was 40 per cent. Of the
enumeration; In the city Of Dubuque,
according to their last annual report,
the attendance was 81 per cent; the av-
rage for the past year, in the State of
New York falls to 80 per cent; in sew.
eral counties in Illinois, including the
city Of Chicago, the average attendance
falls below so per cent. of the enumera-
ton. I have not seen the reports Of 9TH
er counties, cities or States. yet in all
probabilities, the average in this county
Is as large as the general average Of the
country; indeed, 1t Is larger than any
average with which I have heen able to
compare 1t. This being the case, it fol-
lows that this small per cent. Of attend
ance is not due to any transient, local
or extraordinary cause, but to causes
inherent in the system Of voluntary ed
ucdtion. A combination of favorable
circumstances and judicious efforts, it
Is true, may increase the average attend.
anco to certain extent, especially in
the independent districts; nevertheless.
1t is within the truth to say, that SO or
20 per cent. Of the Enumeration is the
maximum, or the greatest average DOS
sible, under tie voluntary system, and
total loss of 40 or so per cent of the
money raised for school purposes Is alb
solutely unavoidable. II this be the
maximum, this extravagant waste must
and vM continue, unless school boards
are authorized aud required to compel
the attendance Of persons of certain ages
within their Jurisdictions. ...... u
That the stability and efficiency Of
republican government is alone due to
the intelligence and virtue of its citizens,
no person will deny; and if it be right
for the strong arm Of the law to make
expenses Of our schools a lien upon the
property Of the State, on the plea that
the education of the heads and hearts of
the people is governmental necessity,
does the same argument prove the wis
dom and justice of making every dollar
thus expended yield the greatest posi-.
BILE return?
There are Ia the county, one hun
dred and thir.y-five school houses. to
wit: One stone, ten brick, aud one hun.
dred and twenty four frame; the aggre.
gate value of which, lat low estimate),
is 500 800; of this amount $37 900 is the
estimated value Of seren houses, in as
many Independent districts, and s65. 500
OF l2S houses in as many sub districts:
average value of each house in the in.
dependent districts, S. ,os5; in sub dis.
tricts about $500. This represents the
average cost Of the sub district houses.
but does not accurately represent the
vdlue Of some Of them; that being de-
termined by their adaptability to the
purpose for which they were designed.
As building which exactly serves
such purpose il valuable, so one which
fails In this respect IL nearly valuless,
though large sums may have been Law.
isEcd upon it. The differences in cost
between al ill.proportioned, poorly
built, incon venient and uncomfortable
school house, and symmetrical. sub.
stantial, commodious, and comfortable
one, Is but tryle, while the difference
in ralue is immense. Aud the best ia the
cheapest. Many Of the houses are too
narrow, the builder supplying this de-
ficiency by adding to the length. A long
narrow house costs more for tile same
room.than any other particular shape:
no sub district house should ever be less
than 20 feet wide, that being the width
necessary for three rows Of seats with
the alleys; If four rows are desired, the
house should be q feet vida. No out
side door ought to open directly into the
school room; this is best avoided by
building a vestibule in front, covering
the door, which gives more room for less
money. and adds greatly to the external
appearance. Keeping children all day
In room, the upper portion OF which is
heated almost to suffocation, with their
feet immersed in stratum Of cold air
lyirg upon the floor is pernicious 10 the
extreme, and Is easily avoided by giving
proper attention to the, foundation and
doors. 1t IL poor economy TO use homo
made, wooden seats; they cost at least
two thirds as much al the best hard
wood and cast iron seats, and will not
last one half as long; good seat will last
with proper care, almost tor generations.
The wages Of teachers may be consider.
ed fixed quantity, and any device
which will enable them to accomplish
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