Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-02
.ATPLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Last Words for the High school Bill

Last Words for the High School Bill.
At Plymouth church last evening Rev. DIR.
Dana made final appeal in behalf of the High
school. Throughout it was non-sectariap,
and non partisan, and embodied the great 10.
cal reasons which have all along existed, and
been urged by none more than this speaker.
The following is brief abstract Of the dis
course:
The immense importance OF the educational
question SO soon to be passed upon by this
community justifes every public and personal
appeal that can be addressed to it, prior to the
time of making up the verdict at the polls.
The extended and earnest discussion OF the
subject, which has awakened no little feeling,
must soon close, and the final utterance OF
Judgment be made through the ballot-box.
While on the eve of such a grave decision it
certainly is wise to halt for a moments re.
view, that, laying aside all partisan feeling,
the question may be met and settled on right
principles. We cannot afford as q commun-
ity to make any false step nor mistake, nor
ought party feeling or prejudice OF any de.
scription to prevent wise and public spirited
action in the premises.
THE SITUATION
we are placed in as city is worthy
of some serious thought Far beyond
what Eany suppose is there the deepest
interest felt in the question before us. The
attitude and action st. Paul may take Tuesday
next are being watched for by other munich
palities. We cannot ignore the fact that we
may greatly damage the good name and future
prospects of our city, if we fail to do that
which accords with the best opinion and edu-
cational methods of other American cities.
We have watching us over 22l prominent
municipalities in which high schools are IN
and the journals Of other great centers OF
trade and population, have noticed the discus
sion here as to our high school, and in many
instances have commented upon the seeming
unfriendliness of this community towards an
institution which, in other places, has been so
uniformly regarded with popular favor, and
sustained with civic pride. This fact must
give an additional significance to the stand we
take on this matter at the approaching ele:-
tion. If we 90 on record as city against the
high school, we put ourselves out OF sympathy
with the dominant sentiment of our State, we
ALLEVIATE the good will of towns whose repre-
sentatives are here every second winter, we take
educationally singular and anachronous posi-
tion, land as the capital of great commonwealth
oppose what the latter fosters by legislative
appropriations, and what every enterprising
community III u1luucoObd ID dAtCduy SOIuAuhy
maintaining. School-wise we make our city
inferior to Minneapolis, Winona, Rochester,
Northfeld, Lake City, etc. 1t is grave maj
ter for us to make such a record, especially as
we are ambitious to maintain our leadership as
the capital and emporium Of trade for the
Northwest.
THE QUESTION
before us is a far simpler one than has been
allowed by many. It is not whether we shall
have a high school, it is not whether the
American system of higher education in vogue
now in all western States and cities, is
grounded on a correct philosophy or not. The
real question to be passed upon by the electors
of St. Paul, is whether they will vote to health
fully and commodiously house an existing
school, I can conceive how person not
thoroughly converted to belief in the high
school system, might yet consistently vote to
shelter safely one established, and by law
made an integral factor in the school system
of St. Paul. The facts of the case support
this view. The school has been in prosperous
existence over thirteen years, it numbers al
ready 156 graduates, who represent all classes
and callings in the community. There gradu.
ates, moreover, came up to the high school
from the graded schools below. The course
of study they completed began in the latter,
and was its natural and practical
consummation. They were In great MAORI
ty of instances youth who could not have Sc
cured this educational privilege except for the
High school. They have attested the useful
ness to them of the instruction gained in this
school, by entering all the avenues of business
and professional and industrial occupations
ever opened to the intelligent and well in
formed. To-day these graduates are among
our best teachers, they are all successful clerks
and artisans and among our most promising
slor- vsv oil
years, none have objected to or assalled the
school. Catholics and Protestants, rich and
poor, white and colored, have patronized the
school, The community has made its recur..
ring anniversatien great festival; all honored
it, and Ntill a new building was asked for no
one sought to injure or kill 1T.
ITS NECESSITIES
constitute to-day its appeal Healthwise it
requires better housing, workwise it needs
larger accommodations. Its the growing
worth of the school that gives urgency to this
demand for suitable building. Taxpayers
gain nothing by postponing the erection OF
the latter. Health, economy, efficiency all
counsel prompt and generous provision for
this school. Twenty-Five hundred citizens OF
every party and faith have commended this
course, and the leading physicians
have condemned the present apartments as un-
wholesome. Ilc practlcal VaIue ana popular
uses of this proposed school house are wor-
thy of consideration, while the improvements
and notifications possible to be made In its
courses of study and educational facilities,
show that this High school can yet become
the most serviceable TO the youth of our city
of any.
NEED OF EFFORT
to carry the measure there will be till the polls
close Tuesday afternoon. appeal to all citi-
zens of all parties to take the time to vote, and
more than that, to vote for the project on cleo
ton day. Whatever else fails or succeeds let
it be said and shown that the citizens of every
nationality and faith manfully stood by the
High school bill, and that it's triumph was Sc.
cured by no party, but by the good sense and
local pride OF the city. think no grander or
more creditable days work can be done by our
citizens than thus securing the triumph OF the
High school project.
Emulation in supporting it, all tickets ap-
proving it, all candidates endorsing 1T, no
Clique, no sect antagonizing it, that would re-
fleet honor upon the. city, and the re-
port abroad by our press OF such public
spirit, such intelligent and generous action on
the part of our citizens would advertise st.
Paul in way to bring back revenue of moral
and material gain. Together we could re-.
joice, and our educational agreement and
action would be as creditable as it would be
Immediately beneficial.
DUBLIN, May Ia boy named Farrell was