The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-09-05
School Buildings.

IllClluS VI CduCdtlOI, WHO OH VlSlllllS
this city, remark that Kenosha is not
keeping up in the march of progress
as respects school buildings. When
the public high school house in this
city was completed, it was pro-
nounced the best building of the
kind in Wisconsin with perhaps one
exception. The primary school
building on the same lot had no su-
perior in this part of the west. New
buildings designed for high schools,
much surprising the high school
building here, are probably found in
every city in the state and in many
of the principal villages. The cred
it of being the foremost educational
town in the state was readily con-
ceded to Kenosha, because the first
free school established in Wisconsin
and in the northwest was here. 1t
would be misfortune for this city if
through neglect of the friends of ed
ucation, it should lose the reputation
of occupying its high rank in the
matter of public school education.
limitations are given out that the
people of Kenosha are losing their
interest in the schools, which were
once the just pride Of the town. 1t
may be there are those in our popu-
lation who would rejoice if this were
true.
There can be no concealing the
fact that the public schools have
strong: array of enemies in many of
the states in the Union, We have
been enlisted for the maintenance of
our present school system from the
first; it is a part Of our state govern
ment, inseparably connected with it.
The right of private and parochial
schools to place in this free coun-
try is acknowledged and they are en-
titled to protection and respect so
long as they do not seek to antago-
nize the public school system of the
state. The state can have but one
system of public school instruction,
for the children and youth supported
by law Other schools, denomina-
tional and parochial, have free toler-
alton, no legal tax for their support
can ever be imposed on the people
for their maintenance and support
If it be conceded that our school
buildings, especially the high school
house, have the appearance of being
not properly cared for, it would Ger
tainly strengthen the assertion that
our educational interests are on the
wane and have lost their once strong
hold on the people. The assertion
is ventured that had it not been for
the reputation the educational ad-
vantages gave this city, real estate
property would have been far more
deprecated in value during the long
years of property depression in this
city. One of the primary induce
ments held out to strangers to settle
here, especially such as had families
to educate, was our excellent schools.
The time has come when a new high
school building is beginning to be
talked about and the general public
given to understand that the interest
manifested in the early history of the
town has not given place to indiffer-
ence. Waukegan, fifteen miles
south of us, is building central free
school house, which is estimated to
cost $4,000 when completed; that
city has less population than Keno
sha. Other cities of less number in
habitants than this are giving evil
dences of their devotion to free
school interests. While our school
system is being covertly assailed,
some demonstration here is called
for to show that there is no Just
grounds for the statement that the
friends of our schools have become
indifferent. The agitation of a new
high school building would revive
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