The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-26
J. G. KELso, Supt.


NJ II. EDITOR: On tomorrow the pup
lie Schools of S'.merset Will close, and
their work of Educating Will not be re-
sumed until the first Monday after New
Years day. This arrangement will af-
ford our Teachers and pupils ample op-
portunitx. to make every desirable prep
aration for a happy and recuperative
vaca tion. Moreover, it viii also give
them vacation of reasonable, and we
hope sufficient, duration. Our Schools
during the passing term, have been very
quiet in their various workings; we have
had no news of stubborn and insur-
mountable difficulties pertaining to the
sphere Of their government. The pupils
manifest great interest in their recita-
tions and evidence hopeful respect for
their teachers by their promptness in
obeying the summons of the old bell in
the Court house steeple, together with
their regularity and puRctuality in at
attendance. We have heard the Teach
ers praised by their pupils and patrons,
and have heard no complaints Of them
from either class. All of this speaks
well of our Educational enterprise, con
sidering the ma unfortunate circum-
stances under which the work of vital
importance is to be presented. Our
Teachers and pupils are compelled to
violate the essential 1aws5of Hygiene,
whilst in their school rooms, by the i'm
properly ventilated and nl-designed
school-departments. This is evident be-
yond all doubt; yet we have every indi
cation of daily increase of zealousness
for the cause ON the part ofall concerned
1t is to be much regretted that our
schools are not by far, as we'll attended
as they could and should be-, Would
that the dying year would bear our pre-
vailing indifference to education with it
in its train! What sadder spectalecouid We
behold, than to see so many young men
and boys preferring the ways and bitter
| fruits of ignorances to education and its
| abiding and ennobling blessings? Can
we, as a people, afford such a squander-
| ing of talent? Are we in any sense of
the term allowed, upon any principle of
honor and right, to give consent to our
home mental prodigaliy, by overlook ng
it, and leaving it unrebuked? Can We
sexpect our school patrons to take that
legitimate and dutiful part in promoting
| the welfare of our schools as long
as they are indifferent in having their
children promptly at school? Our pres
ent teachers were favored with very few
visitors during the entire term. And
yet how encouraged are they, and how
pleased are the children, when favored
with the cheering presence of interested
visitors. Are we sending our children
to school simply to have them out of the
way at home? The old passing year
| would speak for us, and say tce are and
that such Is our chief care in the matter.
VIII we repent of this sin against our
children, and begin to- send them as
seekers and laborers for an education,
encouragement, especially at certain
times go with them TO school-ascertain
ho,v and what they learn, and thus also
give the teachers the assurance that they
as professional class are worthy o.
profound respect, if not for their limited
ability, they are the same for their posi-
ton, their sponsibilities, and the gooC
they hopefully transmit. May the New
year ever respond 'ce ariH and are are
Wishing Teachers, pupils, parents, edi
tors, and our fellow-citizens in general
an ever profitable adieu to the dear olC
year, and an efficient educational ant
spiritual fruition in the True Wisdom
that is nnto the sure and only salvation o
mankind, by the lapse of the New year
we close by repeating that the education
alwants of the passing year loudly ant
imperatively say with our statesman o
old-'lre must educate"
d. M. WEIsMAN.