The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-25
AS TO THE CITY HIGH SCHOOL.

proper to be made for this institution Ii
would seem that the adequacy OF existing ar
engagements may be tested by evidence so paipa-
bic as TO admit OF no difference OF OPINION
Yet upon this question authorities seem 70 De
divided. Upon one side ii is urged that all alb
soiutely needfuI is provided by conditions now
existing; and upon the other hand, that present
arrangements are inadequate. making some
change or further provision in the near iuture
an imperative necessity. That there Is Wide
spread dissatisfaction with existing arrange
ments there can be no doubt, aud that there Is
substantial basis for such dissatisfaction Is
equally evident.
While the present location of the High school
may be sufficiently central. geographically con-
sidered, it is not so so far as transportation
facilities are concerned. 1t can only be reached
by a large proportion OF pupils by clrcultous
routes over several transportation lines or by
walking long distances and climbing steep
hills The building reached, several long
flights OF stairs still remain 20 be mounted be-
fore entering the school-rooni The injurious
effect OF the strain thus imposed has been the
subject of frequent comment, and not without
cause
But these are among the minor objections
The rooms now occupied were not originally
designed for such use, and are therefore who y
unsuited for school and class room purpose
The heating facilities are wholly inadequate.
This may or may not admit of remedy: the
fact nevertheless remains that the pupils are
subjected during cold weather TO extreme dis
comfort, condition most unfavorabe for eff
fectual school work and fraught with great
danger 10 delicate constitutions not accustomed
to such exposure.
Bat still more Inadequate are the facilities for
lighting the rooms. The narrow windows at one
end OF the large assembly and study room admit
scant supply OF light when all other conditions
are most favorable; but during large part Of
the rainy season especially, pupils are con-
stantly compelled to violate the plainest hygi-
enlc rules by being required TO study III rooms
in.utficien.ly lighted, and thus laying the
foundation OF lifelong injury. But further
enumeration OF particulars is unnecessary. The
causes above mentioned sufficiently explain the
urgency OF the demand for q change.
Itspeaks volumes for the generosity OF the peo-
PIE of this community that they should seriously
propose and consider remedy OF such noble
proportion as the purchase OF grounds and the
erection OF a building at a cost OF 100000 or
more. This proposition. now urged by many
patrons, is, understand, regarded with favor
by some of the school authorities.
AS citizen and as q patron now and pros
pective OF the seattle public schools, | am
deeply interested in the proper solution of the
High school problem, and indeed, OF all other
problems, educational or otherwise, affecting the
welfare OF the community.
that seeks speedy remedy fer existing evils,
am inclined TO doubt the expediency of the plan
above referred TO as under consideration, and
trust that IL will not be regarded as a meddle-
some intrusion to suggest q course somewhat
different.
The noble proportion of the provision pro-
posed indicates purpose to provide not only
for present needs but Tor the prospective need
for High school facilities for many years to
come. Suitable provision for future needs re-
quires some forecast as TO what that need viii
be- Though not wanting confidence in the
future of the city, should consider it venture
some prophecy to say that the city will
have need OF s250,0oO high school
building ten or fifteen years hence,
and still more to say that building hastily de-
vised and constructed now will be found ten or
fifteen years hence SO well adapted to the educa-
tonal needs OF the community as TO make ex-
tensive and expensive changes undesirable and
unnecessary. Briefly, believe that the future
growth and needs OF the city are as yet too I'M
certain to warrant such expenditure, even if
ample funds were available, and since the
money to be obtained for such purposes must be
imposed as an additional strain upon the
already heavily encountered resources of the
city, such solution of the problem becomes d
most doubtful expedient. The interest paid on
S25o000 would pay the rent on the most eligible
and desirable quarters in the city several times
vote to the needs of the lower grades, whose in
terest cannot be neglected.
By timely effort space might be secured in
some one OF the beautiful business blocks now
in process of construction, which. with g slight
initial expense, might be fitted to answer ad-
mirably all the needs OF the High school for
years TO come. Some of these buildings have
the important advantage also of being situated
near the focus OF all the transportation lines of
the city, and The rooms in them may be reached
without climbing hills or stairs.
1t may not be improper to state also in this
connection that the present quarters of the
Seattle Public Library are already inadeq uate
TO its needs and a change in the future
will become imperative. Now would it not be
a happy conjunction to bring the two institu-
tions, the High school and the public library in
close relation in the same building. The mis-.
sion of the public library is educative no less
than of the High school or public schools and
nowhere can the public library be brought in
contact with the community with greater and
more lasting results than to place it within easy
reach OF the younger portion oil the community
whose habits are still IN the formative stage
The art gallery, museum and industrial school
contemplated by the charter, which will, in due
course OF time, be developed a part of the
public library could by such contact be made
most effectually responsive TO the needs of the
community and the real purpose Of the public
library.
Once Joined these institutions should never
re divorced. The need of a double expenditure
OF $4,000 for High school establishment and
Il larger sum for public library would thus be
ooyated, one building could be made to an
swer the purposes of both.
The money thus saved would bs infinitely
more serviceab!e TO the community If spent in
establishing and maintaining branch reading
rooms and Libraries near the homes and within
easy reach Of the people. ana in providing tho
schools with those internal equipments vital
j. necessary 10 secure Tor the expenditures al
ready made the argest and best results.
II is to be hoped that the people of Seattle
viii not repeat the Jolly so often committed of
perchIug upon u hill a costly pile of stone and
mortar chiefly 10 be ornamental TO the city and
call IL public library, and upon another emil
hence al equally costly and ornamental struc-
tUre and call it a High school. The true purpose
OF botn these Institutions requires that they be
near the very heart of the city, but little re-
moved from the confluence OF al transportation
lines, and the purpose of each will BE- best
achieved ~ working in conjunction with the
other. 50 long IS 50 many urgent needs remain
uHpToyiGed for, il VIII surely not be the wisest
policy 10 invest so large an amount Of public
funds IN buildings that will be mainly decora-
tive and largely unused for years to come
A. J. SMOKE