Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-18
An Open Letter to the Directors Of tie VILLAGE
School District.

School District.
Dear Sirs-The accident 1t the Grove
street school house, yesterday, must empha.
size the need Of having some change in our
school house accommodations.
1t is not necessary to blame anyone.
Teacher, scholar, or car conductor might
easily be at fault. But in this case there
is, without doubt, no one especially blama-
BILE. 1t is one of those occurrences 80 fire.
quent among children for which there is no
| explanation.
What parent having children at this
school did not draw sigh of relief on hear
ing the childish account of this accident
go, how thankful am that it was not
mine, came into the heart of many heart.
But how selfish this is. Master Rice was
a boy. He had in him the making of a
man. 1t would be possible for him some
day to hold in his hand that instrument of
power, the ballot. He would have been
capable of adding to the wealth of the COM
mubity He could make someone else
happy. All this probability is cut off.
These are not pleasant considerations
when one reflects that it might have been
his child. 1t is not strange thing that
happened. The strange thing is that it had
not happened before, and that it has not
happened many times. Children are chill
dren. They have their recess for play.
Everybody wants them to play, and they
get so enthusiastic often that they forget
everything else. They do not intend to be
disobedient, yet frequently step over the
school rules for play. This has always
been true and always will be so long as chill
dren continue to be children. 1t is neces-
sary TO provide for these conditions as they
exist.
One of the arguments for a new building
has been that the present location is dan
gerous one. Many parents keep children
away because of the danger, and few send
children without constant anxiety. | admit
| am an interested parent. But there are
others equally interested. / am confident
am expressing the feelings of many.
1t is not easy to put a price upon child's
life. We do not estimate such values in
dollars and cents, and we~should not hest
tate to expend many dollars if life is in
question. For these lives are exceedingly
valuable, how valuable let parents them
selves say.
Now am not arguing for an immediate
change of location on account of this acct
dent. l believe, however, that parents gen.
orally do not regard this as a desirable To-
cation, and personally, l should be glad to
see sentiment assert itself sufficiently to
warrant change. 1 believe we should not
rest content till change is secured. But
perhaps this is not possible at once.
In the meanwhile, then, what shall be
done? Nothing? l believe not. My
thought has been many times as l have
passed the lot, "Why not have a fence?'
Almost any ordinary fence would answer,
though good fence, if not an iron one,
would be most desirable and economical.
1t may be objected that the day of fences
is passed. Not if they are needed let me
answer.
1t may be objected again, that the fence
would not change the Electric road, which
is the real danger. That is true. The
children will be obliged to cross and recross.
But not while they are at play. During
play is the time of danger. Not when they
are going to, or coming from school. At
play, children are off their guard. If kept
in a yard during this, great part of the
danger would be avoided.
This Is only suggestion. 1t is put upon
paper with much hesitation. You have
served the district with great fidelity and
ability. You have the best interests of the
schools and the school children constantly
upon your hearts. No one appreciates this
more than l. | speak, not with criticism
Possibly you may already have matured
better plan. But that something should be
done is plain to all, and many parents will
breathe easier when that something is per-
formed. Respectfully,
JIM, WYMAN,