The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-05-19

priAf On is voted, the Special Tax" list
for 1881 would be about 1915 mills. And,
provided the general expenses of running
the scAool under the new system were cv-
en- more than at the present. the taxes
would. in no case, be more than IL mills.
Expense should not, however, be
weigs d against the kind and matter of
teschiag. There is no estimating the
value af educational advantages by dollars
and G ats. It is, of couse, we'll under
stood Aat, since public schools are sup
porte aby taxation, they should be con-
ductet! with the strictest economy; and
yet. q sufficient expenditure should be
made by the Board of Education to war
ratat tiss utmost and most rigid develop
lncnt OF the young. through the best teach
ers and most thorough methods.
ItisKy belief that the higher and more
perfect culture is evolved by discipline.
out of jhe lower systems of education.
There ahould not be an abrupt change
from re lower to the higher, that is,
from the primary grade to the grammar
grade. Sis1l from the latter to the high
school course.
The methods of the higher-thc high
school-should be anticipated in the low
er. or the primary and grammar schools.
And there is no possible chance for this,
where the one is separated from the 9TH
er as in our present condition. The meth
DDS of one department must be in sympa-
thy with the methods of the other, that
the scholar shall get glimpse of some
thing higher and better, and while he
goes from grade to grade. be made sure
of his own advancement, thus kindling
him with enthusiasm in his work. That
popular education of which I now write
| to urge upon the consideration of the peo-
pie, and decision in favor or against
which the votes of our people will soon
determine-is the only safeguard to the
very ballot which VIC are now about to
use. No one can possibly deny that the
ignorance of the voter is dangerous to a
community. There is nothing gained in
trying to conceal the fact, that universal
suffrage is likely to be lowered from
its proper design to work the deeds OF
injustice and calamity, unless the peril
is eliminated by some counteracting
force. The exercise of that power which
is lawfully placed in the hands of every
| voter, can be safe only when it is con.
trolled by intelligence and morality.
None of us believes that ignorance is
preferable to adequate intelligence in the
use of the ballo: and in the further dis.
charge of our duties as citizens. The
boys and girls are growing up around us
| and to curb power they must somehow
obtain power. This our school system
proposes to furnish, and it is the duty OF
every citizen to use :the privileges Of
franchise in such way as to give to our
future citizens and officers the best ad
vantages within our reach. And so, We
call on you in the name of past and pres
ent experiments which are inadequate tc
the demands of your children; in the name
of your protective industcries; in the
name of the laboring class, who, of al
men are unable to send their children be
yond the curriculum of your own schools
deal justly with this problem; give the
children large, commodious, healthfu
building. suitable to the needs of the
hour. And, moreover, let US give oul
teachers the opportunity of doing theil
best under the most favorable circum
| stances.