The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-07-12

and public instruction Of children NO more
fatal mistake could be made; II viewed only
from pecunisry stand point. AS PROOF, We
have only 10 refer TO the records oil our pris-
ops. schools of refuge, and insane asy iums'
which would warrrnt the statement tnA'
thorough moral ystem OF instruction ~ouid
| cut down ut least half our criminal docke's'
We have only 10 add in this connection; go
through your state, and estimate tne cost OF
criminal prosecutions alone; and then esil-
mate the cost OF the much needed reform IN
our public school system, that impecunious
administration and policy has dehieo
the people, strike your balance, ana
SEQ the millions in favor OF thorough
system of public instruction. 1t would add
millions to the real property of the state.
The real enterprisiDg immigrant Will mol
invest where the modern facilities fyr ac-
quring knowledge are denied his children.
Hence we SEQ from pecuniary standpoint
this picay une policy in relation to our schools
is poor economy. What then should be
done? Were we permitted to dictate polcy
here for the rapidly growing metropolis OF
Dallas, we would select the highest ground
in each ward of the city for school house
site; we would have 1t ut least two hundred
feet square, and set 1t out with shade trees,
and lay 1t of in the most approved style; we
would then fence of u small patch IN the
main enclosure for the cultivation oil flowers,
for tho double purpose of being All orna'
ment to the grounds and an aid to the ella
in botany; We would then erect Spacious
building, airy, convenlen. and well VenliiH
sted; We would place therein all the latest
improved maps, charts, biackboards and tho
various Instruments and implements, to Illus
trate and make interesting the
sciences, and above oil we would
have teacher qualified, who understood
his calling and responsibility, we would not
OIL Quire Of his nativity if no was otherwise
well qualified. 1t will be seen from the
above we would not favor the site where the
old market house now stands for u school
house site. Allowing, that the diHagreeable
odors that now surround tho place could be
got rid Of, we should object to it FOR the fol-
lowing reasons:
lit s In tho heart of the city Tor soon
will be) where there is constant disturbance
by the rafting of vehicles, runaway teams,
noisy drunken men and various other com
motions too numert us to mention, to attract
the attention of scholars during hours of
study.
. 1t is lisble to be in proximity 10 saloons,
W ich nave not the best of Influence over
children.
3-lt isa low place where the south breeze
so refreshing in the hot season, is broken of
to great extent by tho Use Of ground on the
south.
4-There is no room for play GROUND,
which is essential to the proper development!
and education of the child, rs the school
building.
But says one, your plan would bankrupt
the city, our taxes are already oppressive.
We understand this and feel the weight Of it
as much rs any person, and ore
opposed TO taxation we cannot show
results from. The city Of Dallas
has been oppressed with taxes that have gone
into the pockets If individuals and corpora.
lions and left us nothing to show for them.
hui in this case il is quite different. Those |
buildings would be monuments of the love
aud interest we feel in our children and the |
future of this great country of ours, that
must stand or fall through the intelligence
or Ignorance OF the people. Is there "A man
of intelligence who would risk his reputation
Oh the statement, that $4,000 spent in The
Va eShoui uuilIlubS Ill tHe City Ol
Dallas would not enhance the value of real es-
tate at least three>fourths of one per cent?
Would not an enterprisIng, intelligent
em'grant in search OF home, make more
than seven dollars difference on q thousand
in his purchase in place where there were
line school edifces, and where there were
comparatively none? We answer, most
alphabetically. he would, and many, with
families to educate, would make twenty five
per cent. difference 10 favor of good school
buildings and good schools. Why, then
should we continue to pursue this picsy unish
policy in reference TO our schools standing
IN our own light, blocking our own progress,
and bligh,lng and blasting tho hopes and
prospects of our children? Let us nave the
and have them soon, and let them
be credit TO the city, is the petition of II
.ax-payer. OBSERVER.