, 1890-11-04
A SCHOOL GRUMBLE.
A Complaint From UnwieIdy Dis
trict No. 2.
Riding Fifty and Seysnty-Fiv Miles
to Meetings.
Relief Expected From the First
State Legislature.
To the Editor OF the Leader.

10 the EDITOR OF the Leader.
IRON MOUNTAIN. Wyo., Nov. L.
There are many people in this northern
country who look a~nxiouslY forward to
the coming session of the legislature
for special legislation upon the pub
lic school system. At the same time
they do not know If the matter will
receive attention, as there seems to be no
public adyocation of any such measures.
Next to securing a livelihood, the ma
jority of these farmers devote most of
their energies to securing educational ad-
vantages for their children. as far as the
present loose system will allow.
At the last school meeting (held May 81
in District No. 2, many taxpayers rode a
distance of fifty miles. and there is n
instance of a person riding seventy-ive
miles 10 secure school terms for their chill
dren. This district in Laramie county is
undoubtedly one Of the largest in area in
the state, and has within its borders only
representative taxpayers. 1t is. in fact,
too large for the accommodation Of the
people. and it is hoped that the legisla-
ture will make two districts thereof. Next
to District No. !, which, of course, in
cludes the Cheyenne schools. this district
draws the largest sum for support from
the appropriation fund, and, financially
considered, is one of the best. The an
nual meetings, however. are held in u
extreme end OF the district, and are con
trolled by the Horse Creek delegation, to
the disadvantage OF the entire vote of the
remaining portions. Attempts have been
frequently made to select a more central
voting point, but these efforts are steadily
overcome.
Thus it is that a man coming from a
remote corner of the district is compelled.
year after year, to start from home before
daylight in order to reach the assembly.
while another may eat his dinner before
going. and the meeting has been known
to wait for him to do SO. So, too, the
appropriations for the respective schools
are suffered to be regulated at the will of
the Horse Creek representation. Having
a small majority. they vote their termJ
first, for the length of term desired. and
patrons of their schools arc paid for the
wood they furnish. Then, whatever
funds may be left are voted to .other tax
payers, who can but be satisfied with
shorter terms and fewer miscellanies.
AS to the laws governing school boards
in country districts, much can be said that
will apply in other districts. and here also
as we'll. Elected as they are by the peo-
pie, in the execution of their duties, the
laws governing them are not such as will
prevent favoritism and local ~iealousies. in
prejudice to the general good. The sys-
tenn OF "one-man power is-insroduceo
in a new. novel and effective manner,
much to the general dissatisfaction.
Agreements are made by which each
member of the board is to look after tho
schools in his immediate neighborhood;
there he may do as he pleases in regard
to the opening or closing of a school; ap-
point whomsoever he pleases as teachers,
and insist on their being employed. The
majority once required to carry out the
laws is abolished and applications to an
other director are referred pack to the
one in question. Modern appliances are
introduced into one school and denied an
other. Persons who represent no chill
dren whatsoever, are allowed to import
them that they may have the pleasure of
using their share of the school funds,
while another may seek educational ad-
vantages for one child in the interest of a
true father or mother and be denied. At
the directors will, one child may go to
school for nine months and another some
where else may 20 without any schooling
whatever. Warrants for teachers sala-
ries are issued and paid only at the pleas
ure OF the directors.
The powers Of the county superintend.
ent of schools are indeed of small moment.
Powerless to act, where it would seem
that authority from this source would i'm
mediately and effectually decide all con
troversies, only permitted TO recommend
what should done, it isconclusive that the
powers OF that Office are exceedingly fe y
and limited.
If committee was appointed by the
Eleventh Assembly il is to be earnestly
hoped that they will advocate most
stringent laws for the remedy Of these
evils.