The teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1876-1878, 1876-12-23
LETTER FROM LEWISTON.

LEWISTON, Dec, 10th 1876.
Mr.. ED1roR.-I was very m uch pleased
with an article in the last issue OF THE TEL.
LER in reference to our Public Schools
This Isl subject not only of national impor.
lance, but one Of great local interest to ~
at the present time, not only to those who
are Immediately interested in having child
rem to send to school, but to all who have an
interest In the development Of our country .
The efficiency of the Public Schools of any
community is = sure index of the energy
and enterprise of the citizens, and If we
expect to induce thrifty class Of emigra-
ton to our inviting country We must hold
out to them educational advantages. For
other things being equal intelligent enter
prising men will locate where they will
have the advantages Of good schools. Is it
not time the people Of Lewiston were de-
vising means to have the Public School of
the place reorganized upon a more extend
ed basis? 1presume it has been more years
since the school in Lewiston has been es.
tablished than any in the surrounding oun-
try. But are we keeping pace with the pro-
gress of the times? understand the en-.
terprising citizens Of Mt. Idaho are erect.
ing large building, intending to have a
graded school, where their children may
acquire all the benefits Of good common
school education at home. Our sister town
of Colfax have long since awakened to the
importance of schools. Last Winter they
employed three teachers and I have been
informed they have three full schools 10
operation at the present time. The result
is every house in the town is crowded with
occupants and land in the immediate vicin.
ity Is worth as much as near Lewiston.
Colfax hns q reputation abroad for being
an enterprising community on account Of
it's schools and thither the tide of emigra-
ton is flowing 10, and the country rapidly
settling up, while in the vicinity ofLewis-
ton We only catch an occasional straggler,
while our natural advantages for q town
are certainly far superior. The character
ofthe country is such that there will al
ways be many isolated families that will
depend upon sending their children away
to school. Now the question arises why
not establish in Lewiston graded school
that will not only accommodate the schol.
srs Of tho town but extend ito ADVANTAGES
to the surrounding country. 1t would cost
. few hundred dollars to make the
experiment, but who can estimate the re-
turn it would bring in the near future.
Under the present arrangement tho school
can never prove efficient; there 10 more
than twice the amount Of work required
than one teacher can perform. With from
seventy to eighty scholars in one room of
all sizes, it is impossible to maintain prop
er order without using such harsh means
that the pupils would soon form . dislike
to tho teacher and then bis influence for
good would soon be lost. The over crowd
ed condition of the school is already begin
ing to show the evil results. The scholars
have passed over their studies without
properly understanding them, the further |
they progress the less interest they take !
Ind the worse for them, and what they |
have learned 10 of but little practical bene-
1t. As we cannot make an immediate
change in the school permit me to address
few suggestions to the patrons Of the
chool in some future number Of THB TEL.
.ER. J. Il. e. ]