The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-08-23
Of the New Public School
Building
LAID WITH IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES
By Grand Master Shannon and MasOns
Of the County. Addresses and
Facts About the Schools.

history of Marietta. The evidence of this
IS the erection, in this city. during this
yearof grace, of two public school build.
lngs that will furnish tree educational fa-
cilities to all the children, white and black,
rich and poor. within it's borders. This is
a long jump forward. Littlesmore than a
decade ago, the most the city could show
In educational work was private schools in
private houses. Then came the Academy,
and later the Seminary, offering better ia
cillties, inspiring greater enthusiasm. and
accomplishing more good. There is no
detraction to be made from the work of
these. They furnished opportunities to
many, and much good was done. But this
was in patches; there were insurmount.
able obstacles that exclude many. The
public saw this and demanded something
more than school houses. 1t came to be>
lieve that the work could be done better
and at less cost for all than it was being
done for a part Humanity raised its
voice in behalf of those who could not edu,
cate themselves and the demand tor pub~
lie schools became practically unanimous.
They have come and are here to stay.
The graded public school is the culmi-
nation of modern thought in educational
work. 1t furnishes the best methods OF
doing the best work at the least cost and
to the greatest number. Poverty offer no
bar at its door; riches can secure nothing
better. High and low, rich and poor; all
alike drink at the same fountain. In Ma
Tletta, there were white children fifteen
years old, who had never been to school
and did not know the alphabet until they
entered the public schools. Such condi-
ton cannot exist with public schools here.
AS soon as the doors were shown open,
they entered and began new lie. Like
the Gospel it is, and should be, free. II
the suggestion should come that it costs
something, the reply is, so do all good
things. Likewise MANY evil things 1t is
expensive to try criminals; it cost much
TO suppress the Chicago riot, yet,it had to
be done. 1t may or may not be duty to
support public schools. 1t it is, that ends
the argument; if not, selfshness is the
only argument against them. In other
matters, this argument has no standing.
The wealthy have to support the govern
ment with all its burdensIfor the benefit of
the poor as well as the rich. Taxes are
collected to feed the hungry. clothe the
naked" and help the afflicted. It is of
vast more importance to feed the young
mind on wholesome food that will develop
itg into perfect man Or !womsnhood. IF
public schools be a charity, there is none
so nobly aimed. worthily bestowed, or
fraught with private and public good. ut
is bread cost upon the waters.
knowledge, like money benefits the
world only as it circulates. Socrates was
wise, nut the people of his day received but
little benefit therefrom because he had no
way of diffusing his knowledge among
them. Only those who sat at his feet and
heard him, knew of his wisdom. The
average school boy OF to day may know
more of him than did his people. The
public school helps here. 1t prepares the
masses for the reception of the wisdom of
the ages as it has come down to US. 1t
gives to the young for their emulation, the
lives and characters Of the best people who
have lived 1t lifts the bushel from over
the candle that all may see clearly. 1t
elevates the thought and purpose, inspires
love for home and country, and lays a
foundation tOr good citizenship. May the
seeds now being sown, fall in good ground
and yield an abundant harvest. D. W. B.
THE WHITE SCHOOL BUILDING.
The white school building, now in course
Of erection, is three story brick situated
near Atlanta street on beautiful lot adj
joining the property of Mr.. j. 81. Boston.
In the basement will be the janitors room
the four large furnaces, the dry closets and
play rooms for the boys and for the girls,
and the coal room On the first floor will
be six large recitation rooms, the labora
tory, the supply room, and the two Offices
OF the Board and Superintendent. There
are two front entrances and two rear en-
frances with wide Railways.
On the second floor there will be four
recitation rooms, large assembly hall and
library. The building will be heated by
the Peck Smead system of warm air. This
company agrees to keep the rooms and
Railways at temperature of from 68 de-
grees to 70 degrees in the coolest weather
and to thoroughly ventilate the rooms by
changing the air in them every fifteen