The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-12-16


with people of general intelligence in sup
port Of the policy of maintaining school
BY pro rata tar upon the property Of th,
citiztns. Both the principle and policy o
this class ofschools is now fully recognized
IS wise and sound in all intelligent commu
mites andathe experience of the last quar-
ter OF q century has demonstrated clearly
the utility and necessity Of this class O.
schools to properly educate the masses to
perform the duties and assume the respon
abilities of republican form OF govern
ment.. And to-day we End that nearly all
the ontrages which are committed in con-
neetion with the exercise of the right of suf-
fFage and the proper and correct returns of
the votes Of the citizens, are committed in
those comm unities where the public school
system 10 the least known and where the
common people are the least educated. As
suning the above to be true, and no intelli-
gent man will attempt to deny its truth,
every community of citizens embracing
within the limit of its district, children and
youth who need educating, whether they
belong to the poor or the rich of the dis
trict, should make ample provision to give
them an education sufficient to comprehend
tho character Of our government, the duties
they will owe to society as they become
men and women, and to perform the bust
ness which they may engage in as means
oflivelihood, in an intelligent and proper
manner. ,-.-.e5 aHe +..+.4. .El.." .#
There may be an exception in cases where
persons livelihood is to be earned in any
fthe professions of Law, Medicine, Dvin-
ity, or In any one ofthe mechanical arts.
Bnt the public by taxation should lay the
foundation for entering upon any one of
these, by furnishing to all the children
whstfs more generally termed good 'com-
mon school education" This embraces the
elementary principles of the English lam
gusgs such rs spelling, reading, grammar,
construction Of sentences in the language,
also arithmetic, geography, history aud
some OF the principles of natural philosophy
and penmauship. 1.-THE mass of the chill
dren can attain these at public expense
they are placed in position to progress
further if they choose, as their inclination
and their own means may permit without
further aid from the public. But this much
every community is obligated morally, So
cislJ. and politically TO make efforts to p.o-
vide for its children, and no intelligent and
sagacious taxpayer in community, wheth-
Or he have children Of his own or not, will
refuse bic support, or even demur to giving
that much. This duty of the citizen estab-
lishsd, another specific duty presents it.
selftto wit: every citizen should take act
I've part In seeing that all school monies
raised BY taxation are skillfully and judic-
iously expended, where they will best SUBJ
serve the object for which they were col
lected. These objects are the providing
Of suitable, commodious, convenient and
pleasant school rooms and grounds, neces-
'ary school room furniture and apparatus,
books for the INDECENT poor, competent and
faithful teachers, rules and regulations to
govern parents, teachers and scholars In
relation to the schools, providing upon
heir Boards Of Trustees men of experience /,
Ind Intelligence in school matters, whose
wisdomi In such matters will command the
respect Of parents, teachers and scholars. :
It Is the taxpayers duty to be always on ;
land to secure the best men for these po- .
itions, because under their direction and !.
Management his money Is expended, and q
wherever it 10 expended wantonly and inju- a
liciously BY reason of the ignorance aud ;,
'eglect Of . Board Of Trustees, the taxpayer -
an blame himself for it in the came man =
Ter that he wouldcurse himself for his !,
tupidity in selecting an untrustwor,hy :.
Alesman,g clerk or agent in any other hnsi- 4