The Portland daily press., 1878-04-02
REPLIES TO "N. D.u


Mr.. EDITOR Your last edition contained
an article in regard to that much-talked-of
Bracket street school house that has conclu.
sively settled the matter aud left no room for
argument IN. D." has examined the bald
ing, and as it is we'll known fact that his own
buildings in different parts of the city are mod
els of taste and architecture, thoroughly venti-
lated after the most approved methods, and an
ornament and benefit to the city generally, his
opinion is entitled to great weight To be sure,
fathers and mothers who have the health Of
their children at heart, efficient architects who
have made the subject of building the study of
their lives, and many practical mechanics have
also inspected this same school house aud have
formed directly opposite opinion, yet we
should be careful what credence we give to such
inefficient judges as these Our burden of tax
alton is already more than we can bear; we
have several railroads on our hands, and any
further attempt to raise money in that way
will impede the growth of our city, just as the
reckless extravaganza in New York has im-
peded the growth of that city. The fact that
parents in other places, who are considering
the advisability of making Portland their place
Of residence, will also note its educational ad-
vantages is of no importance whatever. What
is the health of children when compared to-
wealth and low rate of taxation? Simply
nothing, Mr.. Editor. Or, if by chance man
should come here, who believes the health of
his child Of some importance, he would will
ingy if he has any common sense at all, pay
double the SUM tnat the increased taxation
would amount to for private tuition. Yes,
agree with "N. d." that we cannot afford,
neither is there any necessity of, new school
house. 1t is our duty now to advance some
project that will appease the clamors of those
over-careful parents in that section of the CITY,
There is a theory that sun flowers are purifiers
of the air. would suggest, then, that Instead
of removing the vaults we set out in different
parts of the building few sun flowers. Three
or four would be sufficient, as the atmosphere
in most of the rooms is pure. This can be done
at slight expense, say fifty cents, which can
be deducted from the Police appropriation.
There is my plan 10 nutshell. In my opinion
it would prove quite as effective as that sug-
gested by "N. d. After that nothing remains
to be done but to pack each room full of those
tough little specimens of humanity, commonly
denomnated children, open the windows over
their heads, take off the doors to insure good
draft, place an appropriate inscription over the
entrance, as they were wont to do in the olden
| times ("Suffer little children to come unto Me-
selves that the health and education of our chill
| dren are well cared for. Residents of other
places, seeing our good works and recognizing
| the wisdom of our policy, will come here by
crowds, our debts will be paid, and We shall
have nothing for which to reprOach ourselves
except, possibly, the death OF few children
| that We can charge to the profit and loss &C.
l count and say nothing about. Can any one Of
| fer less expensive plan ? N. B.