The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-01-23
done much in past years to advance the cause
of education in our Territory,

done much in past years to advance the cause
of education in our territory
TEACHERS INSTITUTES.
In the more densely populated counties were
held, during the past summer, teachers inSti-
tutes. They were well attended and were mani
testify of great benefit to the teachers in their
calling and arouSlng greater interest therein
No encouragement, however, is given to these
Institutes by the legislature or by any other pub
lie authority, but the teachers themselves We're
compelled TO bear all the expenses.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
The district schools of the territory are not in
vigorous or hourishing condition. In a few
localities where the influx of new people and
infusion OF new life have caused a change the
control of the schools is passing out of the
hands of those who have heretofore controlled
them. There are over five times as many child
rem OF Mormon parents as there are OF non Nor
mon parents.
STAKE SCHOOLS.
The Mormon people do not show that indie
pendence OF action that is SO characteristic of
the American people, but are obedent, even
against their better Judgment, TO the will of the
cnurcn leaders. over a year ago the head of
the Mormon church, MILFORD Woodruff reflect
Ing no doubt the wishes and established policy
OF the twelve apostles of the church. announced
that I'VE feel that the time has arrived when
the education of our children should be taken in
hand by US as people Religious training is
practically excluded from our district schools.
The purusal of books that We value as divine
records is forbidden. Our children, left to the
training they receive in these schools, will grow
up entirely ignorant of these principles of saliva
ton for which the Latter Day Saints have made
so many sacrifices. To permit this condition of
things TO exist among US would be criminal
The schools of the Latter-day Saints are gen
orally termed stake academies or schools a
stake meaning subdivision of the Mormon
church, corresponding generally to county
During the last school year there were four of
these stake schools, which, added to two
schools of higher grade, make a total of six
Mormon church schools. Other stake schools
nave, am tolls, been lnaugurated since the be-
ginning of the present school year, an account
OF which will come in the next annual report of
the commissioners is said to be the purpose of
the church 10 establish these stake schools
throughout the whole territory.
Those who control the mission schools and
academies OF other churches, are anticipating
that when free schools shall be established
throughout the territory, their mission schools
Will have TO give way and be closed, and some
of these Christian churches will be very glad
when that time arrives. 1t is to be regretted
that at this very juncture the Mormon churc h
should take the opposite course and should en-
deavor TO push forward policy lyoking to the
withdrawal Of the Mormon children from the
pubic schools.
ANTAGoNIZING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
This antagonism of the Mormon leaders TO
the district schools has taken effective shape
statute forbidding the use of sectarian books in
the district schools. This policy of the leaders
TO build up stake schools is already felt and
manifested in various parts of the territory and
the only alternative to prevent its success in
GRIPPING and destroying the usefulness of the
public schools is to make the district schools
free and man them with thorough teachers. Iu
the few localities where the new light and in
Hence have been such as to cause the district
schools to be made free. the attendance has in
creased in marked degree, especially where
teachers OF superior qualifications have been Sc
cured. If all The district schools were free the
attendance would correspondence, no doubt be
greatly increased. Free education means free
men, and Utah needs just such education: and
II there be any agency that will draw the Nor
mon people and cause the building up of a truly
democratlcrepublcan commonwealth in Utah
1t VIII be through the medium of free schools If
the leaders of tue people We're to simply operate
as advisers AM 4;il by argument as the leaders
In other localities and states, the task would be
easy. but wht re the leaders are unfrierdly 10
the dlstTi sch OILS and have i leir han DIS, and
use, vast chulcn machinery that reaches from
the head of the church down to the humblest
hreslde, the task Is an arduous one But free
schools. with thorough teachers would, in my
judgment, work in Utah wonderful change in
a very few years.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
The territorial legislative will meet in Januarv
1890, and it could, if SO disposed give US Il free
school system of the highest order Whether
this will be done Or not is Il matter of doubt
Heretofore the legislatures have been urged 10
do this, but they have failed to act. The present
school law is very imperfect cramped and i'll
suited to the demands of the territory and of
the times. If We are to have better one a
1ree school system, there can be no question
that 1t should be IN the hands of those friendly
TO such schools, and TO be a complete success 1t
should embrace provisions for compulsory edu
cation. With the heads of the Mormon Church
announcing their purpose to build up schools of
their own, and with such system being now
1naugurated it cannot be said that the district
schools are now in the hands of those friendly
to them, although in some localities there is a
growing frlendlineSS amongst the masses to the
district schools, and it would continue to grow
If not lnterfered with by hostile influences
This friendlineSS should be and is constantly
encouraged. no matter whether it be in or out
side the church.
ILLEGAL ACTS.
In some districts the the trustees have so far
forgotten their duties as to convey,or attempt to
convey school grounds and buildings to the
Mormon Church authorities. This Is wholly
without autho rity oflaw but where no persons
in such district sare able or willing,to make their
opposition felt through the courts the evil will
continue.
OUTSIDE HELP NEEDED.
I feel confident that if we are to have thor
ough free school system. one with thorough
teachers and compulsory education it will have
u come to us from outside the Territory Whist
no other agency which the Government could
adopt would be so effective in placing Utah upon
d pcIuducltly SOuHu anu SOllQ 10unQatlOn. the
result would fully justify Congress in assuming
entire control and furnishing Utah with school
system abreast with the best can be found in
the United States
Respectfully Submitted,
JACOB s. FOREMAN,
Commissioner Of Schools for Utah Territory.
OGDEN CITY, Utah, Dee 2S 1889.
Good Appetite
is essential to good health; but at this sea
son it is often lost, owing to the poverty
or impurity of the blood, arrangement of
the digestive organs, and the weakening
effect of the changing season Hoods