Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-10-20

Evening schools.
Evening schools have come 10 BIO
regarded in tho East nearly or quito
al necessarily AZ tho day school in or
der that tho girls and boys who, thro'
povcrty,aro compelled to labor during
the day may still have the privilege OF
securing so much of an education as
shall we'll serve them in all the ordin-
AIRY departments of life.
The experiment Of such school has
brought about two good results. First,
il has materially lessenel the number
of boys and young men previously
found on any evening in the shops or
upon the streets, and in the second
place it has furnished thesc same boys
and young men with that instruction
that has enriched the State by securing
to it intelligent and loyal citizens.
/ was at one time somewhat familiar
with these schools at the Esst. and |
now distinctly remember that in
class Of moro than hundred young
men and women, have never had
larger per cent. OF pupils who were
more prompt and regular in their at
tendance, and who evinced greater
earncstness in their studies. II was
refreshing to teach such class.
These schools, where they have been
in operation for any length of time,
arc now supported by the public in
the manner the day schools arc main
tained--this fact Of public support
shows that they are regarded as a ne
cessity, and that they arc successful.
What hinders tho attempt in organi-
eng such schools here in Ottumwa2
There is class of the young of both
sexes in orr city who are necessarily
engaged in manual labor during the
day, which do not doubt wonld be
benefited by snch instruction as an
evening school would give them. If
there are good reasons why evening
instruction should be provided in the
older portions OF the country then it
must be especially true that such in
struction should be afforded in the
newer and more rapidly growing
towns and cities of the West.
In the East ones educational facili-
ties are greatly multiplied as compared
with those we possess-thcre every
city of our size, and even many of
those less in population, has its annual
courae of literary lectures and musical
entertainments-Aere such opportuni-
ties for Improvement and culture come
very infrequently, and at irregular
intervals, SO repeat that we have es-
pecial need to give all possible help to
those who would help themselves if
they but had the means.
While we are interested and active
ly moving in every matter that be-
longs to the present and future finan-
cial prosperity Of Ottumwa, why may
1t not be well to take into serious and
favorable consideration the further
education Of those whose privileges in
the day school have been through no
fault of theirs limited. Such schools
40 these of which | write havo in no
way unfavorably modified tho day
school, for they arc not fer day pupils,
they have, however, given new life to
the day schools through the more gen
eral interest created. I believe an
evening school in this city could DO
conducted as an experiment at little
expense. am of the opinion there
would be those found who would for
time volunteer their services IA in
strnctors for two evenings in the week.
What any 500. Ess-2staaAo4- 80.
era, is this suggestion an impracticablc
one? Is it not true that ell wealth i.
based upon intelligence
That the brain that wisely plans ia
greater than the hand that mechani.
cally eXecutes7 That mind is more
than matter, and that the lesser can
have no value excepting that which ia
dericatire, coming from that absolute
worth which is int,fnsicaNy part of
the greater? Who will speak coneer-
ming this matter, and if thought prac-
ticsblc, who will make the first move
CITIZEN.