The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-24
THE FUND OF 100000.
Views Of Different Citizens as to
How This Sum Should
Be Distributed.
A High School Is Needed but
Ward Schools Must Be
Provided.
How tho Fund Might Be Increased by
Selling Part of the Central
School Lot.

The right way to distribute the fund OF
100000 which was voted for school build
ings is matter that deserves the careful
attention of every citizen particularly II he
is the father of school children. Whether
the bulk of the money shall be devoted to
the construction of high school or whether
it shall be divided among several schools is
to be determined. Chats with leading bus
mess men show division OF opinion on tne
point but all agree that the fund should
have been $3.50, 600 instead of 100000. The
latter seems to none too large for the con-
struction and equipment OF hlgh school
that will be a credit to the town for years
to come. As the schools are located now 1t
is likewise necessary that the city should
have better ward school facilities. For IN
stance there should be a school In the Broad
water addition on The electric line. Many
new houses will be erected Ill that part OF
the city during the coming summer though
demand school building in that 10.
cation. There are other sections OF
the city that need schools at more accessi.
BILE points. The high school is an actual
necessity. The town has grown to the
point when it must be added to the school
the fund should be divided among
several schools including the proposed high
school. While this will not be sufficient to
properly provide for all of these it ispossi-
BILE that the high school building could pc
80 arranged that an addition could be built
at some future time to conform to me ar
chitecture. The matter should be carefully
considered by the trustees with reference to
future as we'll as present wants.
Hon, L. H, Hershfeld agrees that the
fund of 100000 is entirely inadequate for
the purpose. Tbs sum could have been in
creased to $4,000 without any diligently.
He says that high school is necessary put
at least three ward schools are also needed.
He favors placing 100000 in high school
building which should be constructed on
the grounds of the Central school: he
thinks that under no circumstances should
the Central building be torn down: 1t can
be used as ward school and should be
saved for that purpose.
Hon. E. w. Knight says that the hlgh
school should be built by all means: 1t
should no longer be necessary to send boys
and girls away to prepare for college. inns
can be done at home and high school Is
needed for this purpose. At the same time
MIR. knight thinks it is important to PROVIDE
proper educational advantages for the small
er children 80 that they will not be obliged
to walk long distances. He thinks that $751;
600 out of the fund should be placed In
high school and the rest be devoted to new
school buildings. =.
Hon, T, H. Kleinschmidt thinks that the
children in the ward schools should be hrst
provided for and that sufficient 1unos 1o1
| this purpose should be taken from the gen,
eral fund, The remainder should be placed
in a high school, which should be so con,
structed that an addition could be placed
in time when the city can afford more
pretentious building. Mr.. Kleinschmidt
thinks the fund of 800, 600 will answer TO!
present needs, and that it can be expended
to yery GOOD advantage for future needs
He thinks the Central school building might
be added to the future building, and with
few changes such as an architect could sug
pest, the whole could be made handsome
structure. It should, however, be thor
oughly equipped.
more funds. The central school lot has
frontage of 564 feet on Lawrence stree
which it is proposed to open if the consen
of property owners can be secured. Blu
the street cannot be open without the con
sent of the school trustees. But II the.
consent the assessment for improvement
will be so high as to render it a serlou
embarrassment to the school expenses: MI
Neill thinks that this frontage OF 564 feet
with a depth of 100 feet, should be sold
This would bring probably 100000, which
with the present fund, would provide
school system which would be credit
the city, Enough of the lot NO would be le,
to provide fine grounds for the propose
high school building.
Mr.. Peter Winnie, who has charge OF larR
Denver investments in Helena real estate
believes in the best school buildings, thong
he is not prepared to talk with reference
the question in hand. He says that tn
splendid public schools were OF great valu
!. to Denver in the way of advertising.
These are few of the opinions which in
dictate the general drift of opinion. III
INDEPENDENT will be glad to hear any sui
gestions that may be offered in this col
nection.