The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-04-09
LETTER FROM HON. A. J. RUs-
SELL.

srSihS the Importance ofa Puh,i,
school Building ior Pala,k,
and Good Graded school.
OFFICE SUPr. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. ,
TALLAHASSEE. April 5th. 's6. /,
Editor PALArKA NEWS:
Permit me to thank you most heartily
lor 'ne column OF Paragraphs in Your is
sue OF the I'll inst, pungent, To the poin,
anu strong rebuke. MAY Inot ask Won
10 continue this kind Of memory logging
untii the remarkably thrifty and enter
frising G-m City shall have public grad.
ed school building, commensurate with
her WONDERFUL growth and recuperatiye
energy as demonstrated since her sweep.
ins conhagratlon, and adequate to the
actual demands upon her, resultant of
her rapid growth and multiplication of
interests.
ihave been hoping on these three
years, nearly tsince you addressed me on
the subject OF the ways and means AS
provided by law for the building of
school houses. for the out come in a fine
complete building, we'll furnished and
supplied with an excellent corps of teach.
ers. the doors Of which should be omen m
every child of lawful age. without fee or
charge, and am yet hoping without the
substance.
IL has been said that the teacher is the
soul oil the school. and by another. I'm
reference to his old teacher. that hs had
rather have him sitting Oh one end of Iog
While he sat on the other, under his in.
struction, than be a pupil in the ,:s, ~
scnooi ho'ses, Well, this is all very
well as an ou.burst Of gratitude, adm.
ration and affection for an old and re-.
,vered teacher. indeed it is admirable.
Out ! am of the opinion that while the
teacher may he the soul Of the school
the school house is the body, and follow. |
ing up the rhetoric, have never known
the soul aud body to dwell on this earth
separate very successfully. Now the |
chl'dren are essentially the vitals in tins |
complication and should be cared for.
nourished and protected and sheltered;
but this aside.
There is "a manifold demand upon Pm.
latka for first class school building in
wh'ch an excellent graded school NAV
Oe conducted; first, the children them.
selves demand the opportunity for
an educatlon.the poor children especially.
the county of Putnam should demand
IL OF her capital city. for there all those
seeking lands and homes within her
oorders will 90. AZ the county site, to ex.
anime records, titles. tax lists, etc. and
u 's dne the county that Palatka should
De the typical city. people and character
OF the county; the state demands that n
city where SO many thousands OF peoplc
rongfeyate from all parts Of our ownco,,n.
try and the world, should have exem.
p'iiltd our energy, our lofty aspirations.
our thrift and determination to Qualify .
onr children for citizenship, in so glorious
! country as Is ours. and last. though
not least, the gratitude due the giver of
III good gifts. who has so bountifnllv Oh.
ned his benedictive hands upon the6sau.
ifo! city in al her interest, ,sho uldprompt
Is people tn do that which will glorify
1'ih ahdblpss one common humanity. The ;.
cry best thing your new board can do. :
$ an initial step in their work, ia to nj 2
nee take hold Of tho school for Palatka =
ma never let It 20 until there shall b. :;
alsed upa school. which " III be n cred :
to Palatka. Putnam county, and the 3
tate OF Florida. and blessing TO the :
h''dren and paople and one Of the best
dvertls' m t. you can have, and an in.
utnce more powerful than any other
ave the church Of the living God for
ood. My hope is now stronger than
yer. shall It be in vain?
Truly yours,
A. j. RUSSELL.