San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-08-06
Our Free Schools.

report, Dut III VIII give u Boou iuea OF
the main points taken by the speaker,
now pertinent TO the wants and inter-
ests Of our community, and we ask
for il careful perusal.
In this connection We will state
that our school trustees had an in
formal meeting since our last, at
which the essential preliminary steps
were taken 10 organize and put in OPP
Grafton our schools. Committees
were appointed for the purpose Of
corresponding with teachers, repair
ing the school building and replacing
some OF the furniture which has been
taken out OF it and removed, etc. In
the start we shall of course labor un-
der disadvantages, the chief one be-
ing the lack of o sufficient school
building, centrally located. AS it is,
we shall have to get along as best We
can till proper action can be taken to
secure q school building, which will
only be question of little time.
We hear it suggested that our pres.
ent school building, with little addi-
ton, may accommodate all our free
school pupils. We think this doubt
full, but it will not be difficult to have
portions Of the number taught in
other wards, by good resident teach,
ers. Next in Importance is the secur.
ing of q competent "head" teacher.
This is vital matter to the success
of our schools, and which cannot be
too closely looked to. We want q
man who is not only good, expert
enced teacher, and conversant with
all the best modern methods of teach
ing, but one also who belieres in free
schools with all his mind and heart,
and will uphold their standard boldly
against all kinds of opposition. Such
a man will succeed where one less de-
cided might fail. With such a man
at the head, his subordinates will nat
urally imbibe his spirit, and all will
move on tremendously and efficiently.
1t will be noticed that Prof. Rote
takes the position that the establish
ment of an independent free school
system in our town will ultimately
prove to the advantage, rather than
the disadvantage, of Coronal Insti-
tutc. That orr public schools, at
least until our town becomes great
deal larger than it is at present, will
not be sufficient to furnish an educa-
ton in the higher grades of learning.
and that such of the free school pupils
as may desire to take u higher grade
will naturally 60 to Coronal Institute
for that purpose. The result will be
the elevation of the standard of that
institution--no more "babies there.
Now this is precisely the position
which the FREE PRESS has all along
taken on this point, and we are glad
to find it supported by the authority
Of Prof. Rote. The FREE PRESS is
just as good friend to tho Institute
rs he is, and thinks with him that it's
best policy, now that it is separated
from the free schools, is to ego up
higher. We doubt not it will find
ts best interest in this change - al
ways provided that it keeps abreast
with other higher institutions of learn
ng, 80 as to entitle itself to the nat
lral preference Of home patronage.
In short, great step has been
aiken in the start which has been
made for independent free schools in
San Marcos. If it had been intelli-
gently made and persevered in years
.go, it would have been far better,
,ut better now than later We trust
hat even those most opposed to the
change will now not only gracefully
lcquiesce in the will of the majority,
out join hands with them in seeking
% build up free school system which
hall be an honor to our town, and
it undoubtedly will-the
pest class of people to settle with us.
This point was not referred to by
Prof. Rote, yeti is certaiplya matter
# the most vital importance to the
uture growth and prosperity of our ,
own-no other single enterprise can !
or moment compare with it. The {
ime is forever past that intelligent
immigrants will settle in any place ;
where there is not good public school /
iystem.
Let us, then, unitedly and dill
,ently improve on the first step-the
day of small things" will soon be ,
eft behind-and the most satisfac- :
DRY success will crown our efforts. ,
NJ C., II n,xan fba Auatir, 6