The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-09-22
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

class are inimical to public schools.
We believe it TO be true. We think
tlat many wealthy, and also many adj
vmced and progressive people, look
down upon our public schools. More
than that, we think the feeling is per
feetly natural, perfectly just, and en-
tirely the result of natural causes.
The reason that many people think
and feel that the public school is not q
1T place for their children, is because
the public school is not a fit place for
anybody's child. We are not inclined
t. the opinion that the feeling comes
rom any sort of aristocratic instinct,
or a desire for cXcluSiveness. The
find arising from the school tax is 4
mere nucleus, and must be so regard
ell. The prevalent idea is that the
present fund is provided expressly TO
build school houses, buy fuel, pay the
teachers salaries, and all the necessa-
nv expenses of the schools. As a mat
ter of fact, the fund will not meet one
half of this outlay. Hence, half
starved teachers, etyschool houses,
want of fires, four month school in
stead ofeight, and a school 70 which no
one will send who can possibly do bet
ter. Under this state of case we
grumble that people turn up their noses
at the public school, and cry out car
istocracy!" There is no aristocracy
about it. 1t is simply a school made
quate to the wants of the community.
eve do not wish to dccry public
schools. The system is better than
none, and not for worlds would we sec
1t abolished. As mere foundation il
serves its purposes. The trouble is,
We attempt to keep house in the foun-
dation without thinking of the super
structure. The school fund must be
donated. How should it be done? As
pauper county, it would be for them
terest of Ohio county to vote an in
crease of the school tax, for we get back
one half more than re pay. Under
the Massachusetts, system each school
district must, by private tax, raise an
amount equal to the public money,
which at last is an increased taxation
1t is useless TO cry out that ''money is
money this year, money is always mon
IT, irrs been and always will be. II
times are more than usually stringent,
a more rigid economy must be pursued.
Then we shall be able to cheerfully
meet the school tax. The result of the
present system Is, that every school is
crowded full and running over. No
teacher in the world can teach well
more than thirty pupils, yet fifty, and
even sixty are crowded upon them, and
all because We shut our eyes to the fact
that the public money is inadequate to
the successful keeping of a five month
school. In this state Of affairs, we al
most lose hope in finding that there are
so many people who still oppose any
school at all. However, a majority Of
the people at large are in favor of
schools, and we cannot afford TO waste
pen and ink in making the dull ass
mend his pace. We must have as good
schools at home as can be found abroad
We must have at home, n public
school, with which the private school
cannot compete. Thousands of dollars
leave Ohio county annually in the
shape of sending children away TO he
educated. What good and sufficient
reason can be found to explain why
better schools can be found in adjoin-
ing counties than we can possibly or
ganize here? Who caa explain why
the county-seat of Ohio county should
DE disgraced by the present school
building? But more Of this anon.
Arrangements are now making all
over the county to commence the pub,
lie schools. LeI the active men Of each
district see to it that there isla suitable
building provided; that the bcnches are
made comfortable. and the whole
school made attractive. More atten>
ton should be paid to the teacher than
to the price. Get good teacher and
then make the best trade You can. Tell
the people you need money; that it will
be judiciously expended, and they will
respond to the call. 1t Is probable the
richest man in the district will give the
least. Deal with hiEl Is best You can,
coax, cajole, and pound him; any
way TO get his money; the end iustifes
The means. If you fail, 90 to others
who are not 50 rich. The man of av-
erage wealth Is the most liberal, and
universally bears the brunt of the ex-
penscs. Don't fall back and say "it's
rot my business" IL Is your business,
and eycrybody's. That others fail is
not your excuse. IAGo's advice was to
mt money Hn vaflr ,,Iisa gt oil hoz,rIs