The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-06-24
THE CAUSE OF EDUCATION.
An Interesting Chat About the
Butte City Schools.
S~atisfactory Progress Of the Pupila...
Necessity for q New High
School Building.

0SAAooiS Vi buCCe were closed
yesterday for the long vacation. The
scholastic year just ended has been an ex-
ceedingly gratifying one to all friends Of
education. The term has covered forty
weeks OF school work, some two months in
excess OF the average duration of the scho-
lastic years. Knowing the interest taken
Dy the good people OF Butte in the educa-
cation OF the rising generation a MINER re-
porter called last evening on Professor
Jeniel n. Davis, the superintendent of the
pubic schools OF Butte, with q view to OBJ
tain particulars as to the work accom-
pllshed during the past twelve months.
SATISFACTORY
II am well pleased with the advancement
in the public schools in this camp, since I
assumed the superintendency a year ago.
said the Professor. 1.-THE enrolment dur
ing the year has been very large. The en-
rollments aggregate; over 1850 pupils, with
fully two-thirds as the average attend
ance."
HAS the general progress of the pupils
been satisfactory" asked the reporter.
THE general progress has been excellent, :"
replied the p~edagogue, with q broad smile
ON his face. 'sThe schools were in a bad
state a year g g. They were arranged ac-
cording to a very imperfect and loose course
of study. There were two classes to a
grade, and the classes were six months
apart in their courses OF study. Now we
have but one class to a grade, and the
classes are a year apart in their studies.
The consequence is that the teachers, while
they have larger classes under them, can
do more and better work than under the
old regime-they have less machine, routine
textbook work."
"Were You satisfied with the examina-
tions just ended?"
II must confess that the general standing
OF the pupils was not satisfactory, but
many of the scholars have done excellent
work, especially in the high school,"
THE BUTTE L o
"Then you are pleased over the success of
the high school?"
Its standing has certainly been very
much improved in the past year, and for
this fact great credit is due to Professor
Newill, the teacher in charge. He has shown
himself avery faithful teacher and jealous
worker. There are only twenty-six pupils
| enrolled in the high schoOl-the number will
be largely increased next year.. l have ar
ranged for q four years course of study in
| the high school, and will do all in my power
to advance it's usefulness. A class OF about
| fifteen will be passed into the high school
| proper from the eighth grade at the opening
| of the fall session, and a class OF some
twenty, also from the eighth grade, will be
| formed into a preparatory class. BY the
| Christmas tide this class will probably be
| able to enter the high school proper, thus
/ giving us four grades in that school. Pro-
lessor Newill will then have the assistance
| of a first-class, scientific teacher"
THE LOWER GRADE SCHOOLS.
allow about the examinations in the
| other schoOls?"
I'm the primary grades they were excel
lent; in the grammar schools not SO good.
| Still, as a whole, they showed a decided i'm
prevement for the year. Next year l shall
spend my time mainly in the grammar
grades, to perfect their workings"
Ibid you award any prizes to the merito-
rious scholars?"
'No prizes. 1 am opposed to the giving
of any rewards in public. 1 hold that the
schools should be made SO attractive that
the children will be eager to com to schoo
and will take pleasure in zealously pursuing
their studies"
NEXT SEASONS ATTENDANCE.
"What, in your opinion, is the outlook
for next session."
Our next scholastic year will open on
the 7th of September. Hook for a larger
attendance during the first month than
were enrolled during any month OF the
season just ended, and for a largely in
creased attendance during the entire year
I anticipate an enrolment during the next
scholastic year of fully 0 pupils"
MORE ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED.
"Do you think the citizens of Butte, at
the election tomorrow, will vote in favor
of the issuing of bonds to the amount OF
1000, for the erection OF a new high
school building?"
81 sincerely hope and believe that they
will heartily and unanimously favor the
building of the proposed high school. One
of two things must be done-we must
either erect a high school building or pro-
vide accommodations for more scholars in
the primary grades. To-day the public
school buildings are filed to their utmost
capacity, and rs the enrolment is certain
to steadily increase, additional accommo
dations must be provided, and without
DELAY. I cannot believe that the citizens
of Butte will fail to endorse the action OF
the school board in urging the erection OF
high school building"