Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-06-04
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
GEO. c. HALL. EprToR.
dEO. V. HAIL. EDIIOih Communications for this department should be addressed to its Editor.

Communications for this department should be addressed to its Editor.
 ANEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
 We have noted, with pleasure, the rapid improvement of this city during the last sixteen months. Many new buildings have been erected, old ones have been refitted, the telephOnic sys tenn of communication has been intro duced and the city lighted with gas; but, while these improvements and many others have been in progress, little at tention has been given to its great need-a new school building. The one now in use is unsuitable for the follow ing reasons: 1st. It is on the busiest thoroughfare of the city, and exposed to all the noise and dust incident to travel. 2d. It is badly planned, the rooms be- ing long, narrow and lilly arranged. 3d. It is unattractive. In the towns and villages of the States, the school houses are commonly the best houses in them Hon. J. L. Denton speaking of the growth of Kansas says:
 The astonishing increase of popula- tion V Kansas, is largely due to the brick scnool houses that dot tae State. Any inquiries in regard to country, that stop short of public provision for educat- ing its people, fail to probe the core of the matter. Climate, soil, products, rivers and railroads enter into every careful estimate of country's advant- ages; but the intelligence and morality of the inhabitants are never overlooked they outweigh the richest resources of nature. A rigorous climate and barren soil, with knowledge and virtue, are worth more tLan mild skies and fertile acres, wit ignorance and lawlessness.
 No truer words were ever written than these. One of the first inquiries made by those contemplating change of res idence to a new place, is, "what are its educational advantages?" As we said on 6 former occasion. 1t seems scarcely credible that any one, interested in the prosperity of Tucson should be opposed to the erection of a suitable school build- ing, or even indifferent about 1t. All are anxious that enterprising men shall make their homes with us, but will they take their children from the pleasant class rooms of the east in order to do so? The erection of good school building would give impetus to the growth Of the city and enhance the value of prop erty, SO from strictly financial stand point the investment would be highly remunerative. Some may object on the ground that there IS yet room for thos,. who wish to attend. While this may be true at present, We have faith in the future growth, of this city, al q believe 1t to be good policy to provide for thai growth and that such an improvement, would greatly stimulate its growth Furthermore, a large number of children do not attend any school who would do SO were the school rooms and their sur roundings attractive. It is difficult to estimate the educational advantages of peasant, attractive school buildings. Some objected to the erection of the new co Irt house on the ground that the county would get along with the old one. This may have been true, but We believe the enterprise good one, and that it will pay large dividends on the investment by the advancement of real estate values and the increase of busi- ness. The erection of a new school house Is Of greater importance than was that of the court house. We hope that the citizens of this city will take lively in- terest in this important matter and, should the board of school trustees con- clude to build, that they will give them a hearty support.