The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-07-20

SALT LAKE CITY, July 10, "a.
Editors Herald:
AS the district school elections
throughout the Territory came of
last Monday, and as other elections
are beginning to demand attention,
it may be that few words upon
such matters will be opportune and
useful, and [ may take one school
district election as an illustration
and as basis for my remarks.
/ happened into the schoolhouse
of that particular district on the
evening of the election of trustee
for the three years coming, and
think something may be said of it
to advantage. will first give the
report of the trustees for the last
year, emitting names in order not TO
give needless offence. This is some
thing like the document:
'To the registered 0oters, ETC."
"Mr. Chairman, ladies' and gentle
men:-We have great pleasure in
presenting our annual report for
your consideration, and are much
gratified in being able to state that
the school has been very successful
during the school year just ended.
SIN the early part of the year the
number Of pupils had increased to
such an extent that we found that
the two school rooms were not laig &c
enough to seat them all comforta bly,.
So we put q floor IN the third or
lumber room and had it plastered
and fitted up and furnished as an
additional schoolroom, which neces.
STATED the building of an clubhouse
in which to keep coal and other
things. We slso found it ESSENTIAL
to the more effective instruction of
30 large number OF pupils to en-
gage an additional teacher, making
three In all, Of the service of all Of
whom we ought to speak in terms of
nigh commentator.
"After four years faithful and
efficient labor, the principal conclu-
ded to retire from the position and
from his profession as a school
teacher, and to devote his energies
in another direction. While re-
GREETING the loss of his valued
services, we have to say that, to suc~
coed him, we have secured another
gentleman of ability, experience,
and character, and as highly recoms
mended by the faculty as the late
principal was,
"A law of the last session OF the
Territorial Legislature empowers
school trustees, at their option, to
assess and collect annually tax Of
one-f0urth Of one per cent. on all
the taxable property in the district.
The same Law also authorizes them
to assess and collect special tax,
not exceeding two per cent. per an.
mum, on all the taxable property in
the district when such tax has been
decided on by a bare majority OF
the property Taxpayers resident in
the district assembled at a NEE ing
called for that purpose. Previously
the law required a two.thirds MAJ
jority. But, we'll aware of the al
most universal repugnance that ex-
lists in all communities to compuI-
sorry taxation Of any kind, we have
been determined to manage the
school affairs of the district without
resort to taxation at all, although, at
the commencement of our terms of
Office, the number Of pupils was only
about forty, and we found no means
on hand to help US, excepting some
old debts, few of which We col
Iected, and the remainder still en-
the books. We did find,
cash debt against the
Trustees, or rather the district, OF
SI25, which we had to pay.
"During the ye. rs of our incum
0ency we have endeavoHed to brl. g
the school up to high degree of
excellence, the results of which en-
ieaver have elicited the expires
of the successive
SUI erintendents and other
gentlemen. The school
has also been honored with a very
cIeditabla reputation Throughout
the city and county.
ave have solght to keep tie
3cho llrooms in a satisfactory con
lltlon Of repair and punishment,
and have planted many tees all
around the Sehoolhouse lot, OF
which we have succeeded in mains
tanning thirtySsix In g fourishing
condition. Ii well looked after
few years longer, they will furnish
q cool and delightful ehade for the
children during their recreations in
she warm summer weather.
"The average attendance of pupils
Turing the year has been 1877, out of
/ total enrolment of 1870. The
amount charged for tuition has been
rom 81 to S. per pupil per quarter,
M farrn IF Ton xUnnKr puk n0%