Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-03-14
The Public Schools.
Written by II. Robbins.

Nrittcu Dy H. hODDins-
CoTToNwooD. Idaho. March Z, 1890.
We are living in an age and in a coun-
try where more than ever before, and
more than anywhere else on the globe,
the good things ia life belong to all tho
people in common. In ether days and
in other governments the masses have
toiled that the few might be idle; the
majority have been content to remain
in ignorance that favored few might
remain intelligent. The very principles
upon which our government was found
ed, are that all men shall be made Sc
cure in every prert quisite necessary for
liberty and happiness. For these prin.
ciples the best and wisest statesmen of
this great republic have labored ever
since its establishment. and for the full
accomplishment of these principles ev-
cry good influence of the times is tend
ing. There is not government on this
earth in which there is as much knowl-
edge in regard to public affairs and pub
lie sentiment as there is in the United
States. The youth is early Influenced
by examples of patriotism which arc
thus he is prepared to combat with the
stern realities of life and perform tho
grave duties of citizenship.
The system Of free public education
is the greatest bulwark of our boasted
liberties. and its maintenance by taxa
ton should in no instance be neglected.
The public safety rests upon the intelli.
of To nj
possible should be directed in extend
ing the facilities Of education. No reas-
enable man at this day can deny tho
fact-that it is duty to provide sufii-
cient means for the support of the free
public schools. Our institutions rest up.
on the basis of universal suffrage, and
the intelligence of the citizens based on
universal education is necessary to pre-
serve them. Money expended in the
support of education is always produc.
tive of great good in the happiness it
bestows upon the citizens, and the
strength which it gives the state. A
wise administration of the laws and the
maintenance of order and happiness
rect upon the virtue and intelligence OF
the citizens; therefore the education OF
the people is necessary to perpetuate the
blessings of liberty and good govern
ment. The public shoots are the only
means by which at least two-thirds Of
our population acquire that intelligence
necessary to make them good and use
full citizens, and nothing should be
omitted that is essential in perfecting
their designs or extending their useful
ness. The public school system was es-
tablished because 1t was necessary to
to the public good. Any failure, there.
fore, to provide for its highest efficiency,
is failure thus far to provide for the
public welfare. To the public schools
we must look for trained and patriotic
citizens; for the promotion of morals
among the people. and for that continu-
ed progress in everything that Is wise
and benefcent in our present civiliza-
ton.
The public school system of the pres
ent is the result of many years growth.
having passed through many changes
in reaching its present state of efiicien-
cy and completeness; and notwithstand.
ing 1t is more efficient than in any pre-.
ceding age, still the public schools have
not yet attained that degree of excel
lency which which the public demand.
In obedience to the great law Of prog
ress, they must continue the work Of
change and Improvement to meet the
demands Of the onward march of civili-
cation. Marvellous has been the growth
of the public schools in our country: 4:
and yet. comparatively speaking, they
are in their first stage OF developsnen.
ard usefulness. They must go forward
with their work of improvement as pub.
lie sentiment becomes stronger and
more liberal. Many obstacles that now
clog the wheels o: progress must be re-
moved. some by force of public senti-
ment and some by legislation. The ed
ucational interests of a people are mat
ters of the first and highest considera-
ton.