, 1884-08-19
JxO. =. Editor.

Ii THERE is one thing above another in
which the people of the West take com
mendable pride it is in the matter Of edu-
cation. Money has been spent in abund-
C to secure comfortable and commodi-
Gus school buildings, together with all the
modern and most approved appliances
which might aid in imparting knowledge
to the youthful mind. Above all things
the people have seen the necessity Of pay
ing the teachers such salaries that none
tary considerations would not prevent
them from occupying social positions
which would command respect
In all these particulars Cheyenne has
been abreast Of the times. For a city Of
its sire we show unexampled evidences Of
not only prosperity, but an un%conquerable
desire to secure the boon Of a thorough
education to every child with the capacity
to receive it. Year after year the people
of this community have gone on paying
heavy taxes for eiusafionAl purposes, yet
with every provision apparently made
and after the outlay of thousands Of dol
lars. those who can afford it are compelled
to send their children abroad to secure
merely the educational advantages ordina-
My afforded by the high schools of the
most u%npretentious villages q few miles
east of us.
Why do not the children Of Cheyenne
receive those advantages which their par
ents so literally and c%heeriully pay for?
The answer is close at hand.
Many people in this city have long ago
been convinced that the money paid to
Mr.. n. Z. Stark, as Principal Of
the High School. might be disposed to
much better advantage on a live and en-
ergetic man
For thirteen years Mr.. Stark has held
the position which he now occupies.
While all around him a peree, tidal
wave Of light and knowledge regarding
improved method of imparting instruc-
ton to pupils has flowed in, he alone,
who should be above all the most inter
ested. has been the least affected.
Every science either progresses or retro
grades. 1t cannot stand still. The science
of school teaching is no exception to this
rule. and the instructor who il hide
bound to snpcranuated ideas, or welded
to the ~pedagogic p~eculiarities Of our grand
fathers day, proves a pernicious element
in educational affairs and unless forced to
make way for q teacher with genuine
knowledge, modern ~ and hearty en-
thusiasm, his inhuenc. i'll work incalcu-
liable injury.
There is a strong sentiment in this COM
munity that matters have reached a turn
ing point regarding our High School
Principalship. Stated as a mere business
proposition, the people Of Cheyenne have
not received their moneys worth. We
are sadly lacking in those elegant finishing
touches which should go to complete an
ordinary common school education. We
pay for them. but do not receive them.
We do not think that Mr.. Stark or any
one else is entitled to receive from the
taxpayers of this city more than he earns.
That he does not earn the 81, 800 a year
which he is paid, the large majority of the
citizens of this city believe; that his edu-
e~ational methods are simply a reminis-
eence of a by-gone age We feel assured.
Therefore, laying aside all other aspects
of the case, and there are many, We arc
]entirely justified in saying that a change
in the P~rincipalship Of the High School
is absolutely and immediately necessary.