Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-10-17

RI ally lonesome and, like Alexander tn
Great, ready to weep at the thought tina
there are not other worlds to conquer.
OUR DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
) The common school system, or the sys
tenn of free schools now in practical opera
ton, in most Of the States and TerritOrie.
OF the Union, with such grand and salts
factory results, is purely an American idea
and is, as it should be, one of the mos
distinguishing results of free thought ant
free institutions.
The system itself is simply an out
growth, in fact, of the very idea or plar
of republican form Of government, or q
government by the people. Such gov
eminent must necessarily be founded on
the intelligence of the masses, while its
perpe uity can be assured by on Other
possible means. Herein lies the rightfi,l
boast, as it is the only hope of our glori.
Gus Republic.
Sectarians may establish their schools.
and religious denominations their semi
naries and other institutions of learning.
but they must all necessarily fail in the
great object sought and accomplished by
the common schools-viZ.. the education
of the masses and the preparation Of the
sovereign people for the duties and re-
sponsibilities OF citizens OF free Repub-
| lie.
In almost every newly settled country.
pecuniary interests are, too often, the all
absorbing interests Of the community,
while educational matters receive but little
attention or are wholly neglected.
The early history of our Territory was
not an exception to this prevailing senti-
ment and action, consequently. the subject
Of education during the first few years OF
its history was but little thought Of by
some and treated with Indifference by 9TH
ers.
The first Territorial Legislatures. even,
filled to comprehend its importance, for
they passed snch laws in regard to the es-
tablishment and maintenance of common
scoools as were crude and impracticable,
and which utterly failed to accomplish the
desired ends. Not until the session of 1872
did we get law establishing anything like
a proper system of common schools, but
that system and law has proved to be the
wisest and most advantageous legislation
that was ever passed in and for the Terri
tory of Montana.
Under its wise provisions and protecting
care the common schools Of the Territory
have received an impetus aud growth that
is truly astonishing. Scarcely commun-
ity in the Territory, however small, can
now be found without ITS school house.
where band of bright, healthy and happy
boys and girls congregate and are taught
the common English branches Of educa-
ton several months in the year. In this
respect our young Territory is now doing
quite commcndable work, and yet, we
have but just commenced operations. for
our educational interests and facilities are
yet comparatively in their infancy. Are
we doing all that we can-all that We
should do towards building up our COM
mon schools under the beneficent provis-
'v'.' ~'''';'rrrn1cu PuDilc scu-
ti,nent? Outside of few principal towns
and business centres Of the Territory, what
is the general character of the school
buildings? and what are tho general char
actcristics of the school facilities? 1t is to
be feared that they will not bear very close
moi reflect much credit on
the liberality or the intelligence of those
rural or '.ontsile" communities. From
indications, at least. one il led
TO infer that those uncouth and illiberal !
ideas Of the past still prevail to some ex-
tent In our own communities. The cOnn-
Try school houses, which should be mod
.ls Of cheerfulness, neatness and refined
aste, are, we regret to say, too often notE-
ng more than dingy, rough and rutlely
hOvels-poorly built, and Of
he cheapest material; lily ventilated, bad
lighted and horribly seated.
LIS it reasonable to expect that children,
With such unattractive school buildings,
hould make any great proficiency in their
tudies? And yet we are compelled to
cknowlcdge that there are still men-yes,
'arents of children Of school going ages,
vho advocate such rudely constructed
uildings and such imperfect facilities as
We have described! men who say that a
og building, with dirt or slab roof With '
ne or two small openings for light, an |
Id fashioned fire place for heat, and slabs
nth the round side down for benches and I
esks are good enough for all purposes |
nd are just such as were used and thought
God enough when they were boys and at 9
ended the district school. I
They do not appear to realize that times
ave changed, and that the world is adj I
ancing; that cheerful surroundings and {
leasant associations are essential to health l
hat health is essential to contentment and |
9th to intellectual or moral advancement. {
because people used to live on hoe-cake, 7
OF saleratus biscuits, and picked pork, is I
o reason why they should continue to
rake soap factories of their stomacis for
II time. especially when common sense and {
knowledge Of the laws of health have
aught a "a Moro excellent way" In
As we inti,nated above, the people
( the principal towns Of the Terri 8
Dry are to he congratulated on the char {
cter OF their present school buildings and [
eneral educational facilities; on the in
res.sing interest that has become so en-
ouragingly m,nifest during the past few
ears. in pushing forward all needlful and
roper educational enterprises. For the
rst time since the settl.nent 1T the Terri
DRY, we are really in condition to say to the
ons and daughters Of Montana, 1.-The
Common School privileges and opportun-
lies at home, ut least in the principal
owns. are equal to most snd superior to
ONE OF those abroad" With little en-
erprise and thrift and energy and the ex-
Of little money, the same might
Y said of all the permanent settlements in
he Territory.