St. Landry democrat., 1891-03-28
Private and Public Schools.

In writing this article, wish it to be
distinctly understood that am now. and
have always been favorable to q good
public school system. While In many
cases public schools have been advan-
tsgeous, helpful and beneficial, they have
also been often o hindrance to genuine,
thorough and advanced learning.
There are hundreds and thousands who
have, perhaps, learned the rudiments OF
English, while at the same time there are
quite as many from the nature Of the
schools and the circumstances surrounding
them, who have been compelled TO be sat
isfied with little, or no education, because
it was impossible to do more.
In the inception of the public school
system, the idea was to make them help
full to the academies of learning. by con-
densing their work with that of tine pri-
yate schools. But unfortunately for our
people, those. who became the benefciaftes,
officers and teachers in the schools, instead
of working toward such o desirable end,
sought to exalt the public schools, unouly
to q position which they did not merit.
They have sedulously cultivated the
idea and have striven to instill 1t into the
minds of the people ill it now Is next akin
to an impossibility for private school to
exist, even In the best neighborhoods.
1t ia quite an easy matter for man to
be persuaded o certain course is right
when 1t will cost him less money. Besides
this, intelligent perintendents of public
instruct: IN, as general rule, have been
quite active in their efforts to destroy
s.ntiment favorable to the establishment or
maintenance private academy within
their jurisdiction; Notwithstanding the law
Directs them to cooperate with private
schools whenever and wherever practi-
cable, say the law makes their duty
that it does so in some States.
There will be no necessity for union
of the two. nor even for the existence Of
the private school, whenever the State,
county or district, shall levy sufficient
tax to establish o good public school of
academic grade, having sufficient num-
Der of capable teachers to give the neces-
sary instruction, for at least nine or ten
months in the year.
But tax levy, In district containing
= from one hundred to one hundred and nifty
children, which yields only sufficient
amount to employ competent teacher five
months at salary of $75 or 500 per
month, or an incompetent one at salary
Of sos to $50 per month for ten months,
.can never answer the ends of good edu-
cation, While such school may be In
:strumental in satisfying the conscience Of
those who might desire the education OF
their children; still 1t will fail of that de-
gree of efficiency which ia necessary in the
development.
No teacher, whatever may be his attain
ments or his abilities, can take even dfty
children and accomplish 1.-THE with them
which might be done by having more
teachers with whom to divide the work.
f.. 1 How much better for all concerned
would A. be for the school commissioners
of avery neighhorhooa able to do go to
make the school tax an auxiliary or
number one good private or subscription
school.
Bat YOU say 1t would cost more. True
but you do not expect, or you should no
axpect. the most valuable thing which
mar could wish to be obtained st the pric'
of q mere trife.
The value of learning and the sbility q
give the best instruction can scarcely b'
Estimated in dollars and cents. There ar
few men In every country who appre
ciate this fact, and, feeling. that they O.
not have nor cannot have even acaoeinl
facilities offered their children at nome
send them away ct what might appear
some nm enormous cost, to where sne' III
cilities and opportunities may be had.
The effect Of the present system, infefio
as oil intelligent men will admit, an
positively inadequate to the demands 0
the present advanced stage of science an
art, for the proper education OF the msssee