Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-06-05
Our High School.

Since the last article in behalf Of the
High School appeared in the AMERICAN, we
have heard new argument advanced in op-
position TO an appropriation by the city for
a lot. and as this argument may have some
weigh, with those who do not seriously con
slider the subject we would call the attention
of our tax paying citizens 10 another side Of
the question.
Ohjector says-"Persons residing in dis
tricts SO remote from the High School ,ha,
they are unable TO send scholars without in
curing expenses they cannot afford. ought
not TO be taxed to build High School
building as they derive no benefit from it,
In reply. we would ask wha, would be the
fate Of our public schools if only those who
send scholars were taxed to support them?
There are probabl, more than hundred
tax PAYERS in our city who never have. and
never will, send scholars TO our district
schools and yet pay school tax, and il is
the only way our public school system can
be sustained. There are hundreds Of tax
PAYERS who probably have never seen the
inside Of our City Hall. and ye, we're taxed
TO build il. Wha, kind Of bridges should
we have if only the districts where they are,
we're taxed 10 build and repair them Th,
sidewalks in the city would soon be dis
pensed with il only the districts where they
are, we're taxed 10 build them We could
Aasc no fire engines, nor organized fire COM
panles. II the city was not taxed for their
support. and yet Yves, Ellsworth and North
Ellsworth might he DESTROYED BY FIRE and
nave small chance Of seeing an engine
There is no better indication of the iitclli-
gence and cultivation OF community than
The condition Of the public .choo. buildings
Not many years ago gentleman from one
Of the thriving Massachusetts, towns, was
passing few weeks IN cur city. and he ex-
pressed surprise at the profanity and yul-
g,rity he often heard on our streets He
said he could no, account Tor il, until hc
visited some Of our public schools aud s,w
the condition Of the buildings and the ~
tidy surroundings. and he though. II the
parents took so little interest in the wt liza
Of their children as to send them 10 Ia tdu-
Gated in such school houses, il was easy 10
account for their bad manners on the street.
And 50 We reply 10 those VINO tell us-"The
schooi houses in our city are better than
when We attended school. and are as good
a. the city ean afford" such argument.
are the b.s, indication that YOUR earl, ai-
santages were very limited Have YOU no
higher ambition for your children |, is
yer, poor economy to be nigaldly in the
appropriations for our schools.
The free High School is eminrnrly
school for the poorer classes. The rich can
send their children abroad to be educated.
but parents Of limited means cannot do this,
and without the free High School they can
not educate their children to be the peers OF
the rich. In this country the child of the
poores, parents, with the advantages Of II
liberal education, may compete with tn,
weallhiest in the land for social or public
position with fair chance Of success The
uneducated masses are but tool. III the
bands Of political demagogues and money
sharSs. The history Of our High Scnool
show. that the children who have graduated
with the highest honors are children OF
parents who could never have educated
them but for the free High School The
Southern slave holders hated the free
schools Of the North, because educated peo-
pie can never be enslaved, and recognizing
this truth our government, having emancl-
pated the slaves, established, at public ex-
pense free schools for the education of the
colored people. Let no taA payer. however
remote. feel aggrieved should he be called
upon to aid in the erection Of High School
building. Though your children NAV never
be able to avail themselves of the advantages
i affords. in social and in business life. vet
they must mingle with those who have come
under its influence and their lives vii be
made better and pIrer and their property
safer and more valuable when they az sur
rounded by an Intelligent and educated
community. AF.G.