The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-05-03
SUGGESTIONS Or THE CoHHEaulL CLUB.
The ceamisses 81 EAseasiss sab
niss IN Interesting Report.


The Ceamisses e. EAseauss sub
mtss N Interesting Report.
At the Yakima Commercial club, ct its
regular monthly meeting on Tuesday
night. report from the standing COM
mittee on education was submitted, urg-
ing action by the club upon the following
important subjects:
There are now AZ school districts 10
the county, seven Of which have been re-
Gently formed; two years ago there were
but %, and the prospect is good that No.
80 will be reached this year. In the AZ
districts there will be elections for school
directors on June II. In each district
there are three directors and clerk, max
ing total OF l6s men to whom the care
Of the schools are entrusted in addition
to the teachers. The growth Of the county,
the coming Of many new people. our repu-
tation for progress and enlightenment,
makes It very important that only pro-
gressive, intelligent men are elected to Gil
the Offices Of director and clerk. We be-
lieve that II the attention Of the people il
called to this matter in proper manner,
that the influence Of our non-politicsl club
will have marked influence.
ut is suggested that provision should be
made ct the country schools for supplies
Of purer drinking water than is now had
from the irrigation bitches, oftentimes at
long distances from the main channels.
II wells are not available, some system OF
filtering should be provided.
"Arbor day was beginning that should
be followed by systematic planting Of the
school grounds with trees, shrubs, flower
Ing plants and grass. The pupils show
great interest In the movement. and IL
properly encouraged will do the most Of
the work Of planting and care Of the
grounds. For example, the boys Of Gen.
trail school ia this city, express themselves
a. willing TO do the work on their grounds,
and the janitor offers to lay the walks
without pap II the lumber is furnished.
At Columbia school the same interest lie
shown, but there the water is scanty, and
lateral is needed to bring q supply from
the ditch 100 yards distant. Any fear Of
vandalism on the part Of the boys 10 gar
den-like school grounds may be dismissed
ct once. In the east scores and hundre Is
Of school grounds have been made beauti-
full in this manner, and the result is an
awakened love Of nature, a practical
knowledge Of plants, that 10, botany Of
the useful sort, and beginning in horti-
culture. All Of this work should be made
educational, by teaching the names and
characteristics Of the trees and smaller
plants. Neat fences and pure drinking
water usually follow.
"Ohe Of the worst and most immoral
features Of most school grounds is the out
house. With its conspicuous immodesty
outside, and lewd pictures and obscene
writings within, 1t 10 perfect sheol for
the children. Sheltering trees and climb
ing vines may cure the one, and frequent
coats OF whitewssh the other. In the
same line, greater oversight 10 desired
from teachers Of the children when at
play around the school grounds to pre-
vent the corruption Of innocent children
by hearing indecent and proisne language
from the reckless hoodlums too often |
found among them.
"Our worthy mayor has long been try
ing to get kindergarten established here
for the early training Of the tots. We are
glad to state that your committee, acting
in conjunction with Mayor Prosser. has
succeeded in securing teacher Of expe- |
rience, graduate from the famous Bos-
ton kindergarten normal. Miss King is |
now on her way to establish an independ- |
ent kindergarten In North Yakima. Cor
dial support should be given to this
plucky woman who has undertaken to |
start what the city thinas it can afford |
She comes nearly 1000 miles to do this, |
and a. the expense Of kindergarten |
equipment is much greater than that Of
our day schools, the pluck and faith OF
this young lady in herself and her work,
and In our accounts OF the town and its |
people, behoove rs to give her free field |
and fair trial. Some fifteen pupils have
been promised. She ought to have