The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-25
Superintendent LYman'S Address to The
Teachers Institute.
SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS
Information That VIII Be Prohtrple Ia
Many Throughout The
County.

~ ~
to publish the address of County Super.
intendent Lyman, containing, as II
does, so many useful hints to both
parent and teacher. The subject chosen
by MI. Lyman was, 1.-THE State OF
Education in Clatsop County" and his
remarks were as follows:
Clatsop County suffers from isolation
and division.
The effect of these extreme negative
conditions appears in the state of edu-
cation no Tess than in business and de-
velopment Of the various industries.
Astoria is not a fishing hamlet on the
Coast of Labrador; it is at the mouth
of the Columbia River, n lies in the
track Of destiny. But while having the
promise and potency Of great things
we do not yet have the fruits.
1t is worth while to be frank among
ourselves, and recognize that as yet
we have only the beginnings in any
direction. An accurate perception Of
the fact as it exists is Indispensable to
useful action. If we are only at the
beginning, much is to be done, and it
ought to he done wisely.
Our district clerks enumerate 2.5S5
children of school age in Clatsop county,
Of whom 1910 reside within the cor
porate limits of Astoria. To give the
advantage of public education to these
children, the territory of the county is
laid off into thirty school districts.
There are thirty-three school houses,
four of which r in Astoria; these are
valued at $40 to $780, 900 EACH. The total
county is upwards of $4,000 or about
500, per child of school age. Some of
the structures are rude and shabby,
ugly and uncomfortable; but as a rule
he school houses of Clatsop County
are as good as the other houses In
their neighborhood. A few districts,
which time forbids to mention, still
reckon the school house the same as
a barn but the most regard them as
for the use Of white folks" There
are a number of convenient and taste
full school houses in the country. In
Astoria we have three excellent school
buildings, with work on the fourth al
ready begun, and the prospect of a very
fine and slightly structure to accom-
modate that part of the city now
served by the Cedar Street building.
Furnishing of the school houses with
best desks, in the country as well as
the city, steadily goes on. A large pro-
portion Of the school houses. are sup
piled with organs. During the past
year these new school houses We're
built, at an expense of about $4,000.
Four new school houses are under con-
struction or are projected for the COM
ing year-one district having paid So
500 for a site.
This looks like progress. For theachers
of Clatsop County paid during the past
year $22. 642. rs; at an average monthly
salarys of $6O.6S per man, and $47.59 per
woman-perhaps the highest average
in the state. The wisdom Of this
liberal pay is seen in the very high
average ability of our teacher-wages
above par brings teachers above par.
Total expenditure for the past year
for all school purposes were over $500 900
G51. 1901 as against 8 4,79S.56 for the
preceding year. This is over 20 per
child Of school age. If their excess of
nearly $4,000 has been wisely expended,
no doubt it has, surely here is a sign
Of progress. AS the most of this excess
comes by direct district tax it surely
proves that, the People of Clatsop
County are making an effort for better
and are willing TO pay for 1t.
The figures tell a part of the story, but
not all. To break the force Of isolation
division there has been an EN-
phatic movement toward organic union
between the schools. The first result
has been the consolidation OF all the
of Astoria under n district
Another result has been a general de-
sire for union of action and interest
between the county schools. This
-eacher's institute is a sign of a desire
for more united action and greater
power among the teachers.
Still further: Our high school has
newer done better work than during the
past year. An upward drift toward
he higher courses is felt. May the
line be when at least, a greater part
If the public school children will find
t their ambition to use every advan-
age that the public affords them. by
lot quitting until they finish the High
School course That is little enough
or the requirements of this day and
We have no colleges, no universities;
tut we have a private school in which
Ime of us think we see the embryo
4 such IN institution, which shall be
4 use at home and of power abroad.
To conclude: We have something to
eel proud of and more to be thankful
or; we have difficulties. and are meet
ng them; we have done something;
We are undertaking more. Past en-
and attainment along the line
ONES as proof that for the future As
oria and Clatsop County shall not be