The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-01
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
Our Public School.

49, eSat AShtth
Editor Of the Palatka yesas.
Tempted by the charming moonlight
and an interest in all educational mat
tiers, attended ON "Wednesday
evening last the meeting Of citizens
in the public school building. Like the
wise nien OF old, seuen was the SYMBOL
cal number present, one boy, three citi-
zens, the teacher in charge, the worthy
rector Of st. Marks Church, and a lady,
who though not aspiring TO he called
like Elizabeth Peabody, Of Boston, the
spiritual mother Of all little children,
has after studying school architecture
and methods in Philadelphia, Boston.
and other places, given practical evil
dence in your city Of knowledge Of the
needs, both mental and physical, Of the
young.
The hare walls Of the unfurnished
room, festooned with black cob webs,
the drafty windows, innocent Of curtain,
blind or shutter, the ditch of stagnant
water at the back, the receptacle of
broken bottles, waste paper and tin cans,
spoke loudly Of the surroundings i'm
which the children of tender and impress
sional age. spend a large part OF their
day. That the building is positively un-
healthy, was shown by the statement Of
the lady present, that two young girls.
attendants OF the school, were sick from
sore throat and quincy, caused by sitting
near one Of the windows and
exposed to current OF cold air therefrom.
The decision which followed the earn
est discussion of plans has already been
given to your readers, but to a practical
and matter-of-fact listener, as well as
participator, this seemed to be a mistake,
and that the patching policy had been
tried long enough. Why spend $500 in
fixing up again an old building, which
will still be the old one, and, like a
worn out shoe, IL not worth a heel tap,
when for 81 800 neat, substantial, well
constructed and even artistic structure
can he erected. containing three rooms,
for a graded school, q primary, inter
mediate and grammar department,
capable OF seating $50 pupils, fifty i'm
each room, and all 10 be fitted up with
comfortable furniture, small chairs and
desks for the "wee folk" and, like the
story Of the three bears, big chairs and
desks for the big. and middle-siz
chairs and desks for the middle-sized
children. Each room to have not less
than twenty-five square yards of black
board, 80 that every member OF class
Of that number can work at II mt the
same time, allowing one square yard 10
a child. and every room to be furnished
with full set OF thirteen maps, bell,
stove, curtain, pointers. hooks for wear
ing apparel, water pals, basins, dippers
and towels, to say nothing Of notices
and pictures, which should be and now
are found in the school rooms Of our
most enlightened and progressive teach
ers. We are to remember that we deal
with and are developing all sides Of a
child's sensitive nature, the athletic and
spiritual as well AS the mental and
physical.
The reader may ask IL the above plans
and calculations can be brought 70 n
practical solution. The answer is de-
cidedly and emphatically yes, with this
twofold argument, that IL once 500 is
500, then three times 500 is no
moro than 1900, and also that
what has ::been done once On
the smaller scsle, can with the same ia
cility be done on the larger, not leaving
out as essential elements rigid economy,
skill in selecting materials and furnish
ings, and thorough oversight Of every
detail. The gist Of the matter In this.
Let the City Council add TO the $500
which there is no doubt will be. IL not
already subscribed by private individ-
uals. the sum OF 81 900. and Immediately
erect q building such as / have de-
scribed. and which will for at least ten
years, insure comfort, happiness and
progress to our young people, and self
respect as well as comfort to our hard
working teachers. And last, but not
least, will stop this standing and cease
less reproach to the intelligent and pro-
gressive people Of Paiatka, that their
public school the foundation Of equal
right, the morality and enlightment Of
every community, is held In building
which Is not a fit place for a decent
child to be sent to. OBSERVER.