The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-07-01
Schools and Education.


Schools and Education.
Conmunicased.l
want to talk to the people of Lafayette
parish about schools and education-plain
talk too, but hope nothing will be said
amiss.
Lafayette parish has twenty public schools
and 1000 papils. The house in which I teach
Is the hull Of q boxed structure 1875 feet,
with backless benches, and three I2-inch
planks feet long, nailed together for a
blackboard. I say ..back'' because one
side has BEEN ''smutted,'' There is no wa
ter. no shade trees. said no water, but
that's = mistake. There are quite q num-
her of ponds near by in which. snakes and
frogs have full sway-and the latter croak
az though they owned the country.
{. Nov. don't any body get mad. T. am
aver of the fact that there are better SCHOOL
houses in the parish than the one described.
Fact is this parish may be an average one
in the State, and this State may compare ia
~orably with most of the Southern States
l:"t the question is: Does our school system
need improving. can it be done; will it be
done! answer, s.yes.'
: commend the man who strives to build
him comfortable dwelling. admire him
for making the surrounding attractive, and
respect his wife for keeping the home eide
cent and in ORDER and making it tasty.
Every school-house should be neat, COM
Portable, attractive. Maps, charts, globes
and reference books should be furnished the
teacher and pupils. 1t seems 70 nse that
$500 dollars expended for such, and distri-
buted to the various school would be
step in the right direction, even now.
When the parish gives s2oo to the build
ing of school-house, the patrons might be
wise in subscribing $2oo additional. Such
people are called enterprising; such schools
advertise 4 community.
When hear of some old miser who has
had ten thousand dollars hid way down in
the bottom of his socks, for a quarter of
century, lying idle, whose pocket book is
m' d :: out of hogshide. and grunt every time
cent goes out, we'll, feel like pulling the
moss off his back.
The government holds every sane citizen
for his acts. 1t proposes to
shield them, and expects the citizens to sup
port it. Then, if the government proposes
to educate its subjects, the masses should be
the means for acquiring an educa-
ton ample for the duties of intelligent; ca
p1ble citizenship. Love of country, of our
institutions, and obedience to our laws
should be the watch-word. %.
There are thousands in this State who can
not speak the language of thciz country, nor
read the laws by which they are governes'
Bright minds lie in oblivion, the inward fire
shoald be kindled that they may becom- shi-
ming lights.
''iIany a flower is. born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweet perfume on the Jeser:
air,
Evangcline can not read the epita,,h ms
cribcd on the tomb of her lover Gabriel for |
whom she has searched so faithfully and
ong. Many cannot drink at the Fieran
Fount, nor relish its healing waters.
Louisiana has been State over so years. !
The old 'landmarks'' are gone. Their bones !;
'epose under the sylvan shades Of the moss !
trees, which famed by the gen
lie zephyrs from old oceans waves
younger generation is here. We should |
act. The rivers may continue to wend their !
way to the Mexic sea, which lashes our |
shores, and the sun may continue its |
daily flight in the dome of the skies, she'd !
ling his golden rays to kiss mother earth for !
a thousand years to come, and unless effort |
S made on our part, little progress will be |
made. Twenty thousand dollars bonus for |
railway or factories may advertise Lafa-
'ette and bring capital; but twenty thous-
md dollars will advertise, will build nice
chool houses, will furnish the means to
make present citizens more intelligent, hap
" and useful. BEN ToLEp.
{Advertisenent)
1nR Stem Lends tn |