Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-04-08
A Pennsylvania Letter.

Editer Independent:


Editsr Independent:
Many times while travelling in
this Grand Old State, the very heart
aud home of Protection and Pro
gress, have / been tempted to write
the sINDEpENDENT,' giving its read
ers some Of my observations as re-
CARDS the people of Pennsylvania,
and the spirit of enterprise to be
found on every hand.
This place is only one ofthe many
mining townsin the Anthracite Field.
population, $500; the inhabitants
represent several nationalities, our
ewn, the wide-a- wake, but, sturdy
Pennsylvania Dutch, English, Welsh,
Irish, Poles and Hsngs.
Twelve colleries working here,
operating in the most approved man
ner. the measures in this Basin,
(Which by the way is the largest
single deposit of coal in the world }
comprises both, the red and white
ash; the veins are from four to more
than two hundred feet in thickness.
In every direction are immense piles
of culm, in which are buried millions
of tons OF coal, all of which in the
far-a way future will be reclaimed.
Many of the miners in this section
have accumulated much property
and wealth, especially is this true of
the Welsh contingent who are an in
telligent and progressive people, sur
prising too, coming as they have
from that grand country across the
| sea were floats the Free Trade flag,
| tariff for revenue only, of England.
They are to man Protectionist and
Republicans in their politics.
| This is a wide-a-wake little town,
has water works, fire and hose COM
panies, opera house, club rooms, ly
ceum building and public library
the church accommodations are am
Pile, representing the several denomi-
nations: Methodist, Congregation
al, Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran,
Evangelical, Greek Church and Ro-
man Catholic.
Fifteen or more hotels and saloons
where i1toxicants are sold yet drunk
eness is the exception. On st. Pat
ricks day in the morning, there was
general turnout OF all the Catholic
Societies which embraced the Irish
contingent almost to the man, the
entire Hungarian element which is
no small part OF the population.
saw only two drunken men the en-
tire day.
The public schools must not be
neglected of mention. One has but
to consider the interest manifested
| in that direction here, as well in fact
everywhere in the State to arrive at
the conclusion that they are one, if
not the chief element of the great
ness of this old commonwealth
The public schools are conducted
on business principles. for teachers,
men and women are employed who
are educators, not teachers merely.
the boys ard girls are not sent to
the school-rooms to stand up or sit
down and recite, simply recite what
they have read in their text books
at home, they are not only taught
what rules are laid down in the text
book, but they are trained and edu
Gated with view to their future,
their usefulness in the State, and to
the State. / send you herewith q
card or schedule showing the course
and arrangement of the studies as
taught in the public schools OF this
| town. these schedules can be found
in the homes, the public places, even
in the bAr-rooms of the hotels.
question Mr.. Editor, if ANYTHING d
| the kind or even annro-imutiss Il
can be found posted in any OF oul
public school buildings, not even ex.
cepting the sacred precincts of oul
boosted, (high school y grammar
school building.
IL it not time for Martinsburg' Is
5000, to awaken to the importance
of having public schools equal to
those of any city of like number OF
inhabitants, whether in Md, Penna.
or Mass?
Is it true that the children of Mar
tinsburg can acquire through the
public schools of Martlnsburg, a
good, thorough, common English
education2
| If so, why do such public spirited
men as Senator Faulkner. Senator
Parks. DR.. Baker, and j. Nelson
Wisner, send their sons and dausb-
tiers abroad to obtain it7 (Scbso .
boys are requested not o make re
ply to the above, the gentlemen NAM
ed if they desire TO do so are compe-
tent Don't be angry boys, some
time will write you letter, then
you will have a ehancs
/ hope that such men as Senator
Parks, Dr. Myers, and Mr.. Nicklas,
and other gentlemen of influence who
are in daily intercourse and touch
with good people of Martinsburg,
will take hold Of this matter and agl-
tate the subject of improvement of
the public schools. What if the
school board shall be obliged to pay
larger salaries to teachers, to men
Of ability aoho are educators. it will
not be waste OF the school funds,
no, no, not by any means.
| Three of the gentlemen named are
conversant with the school system
of this State, and | do net believe