Great Falls weekly tribune., 1895-04-05
SCHOOL TRUSTEES.

SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
In the rush regarding municipal poll
tics many residents of Great Falls seen
to have overlooked the fact that in
few days there will be still another unt
a very important elcction-lhat fo
three school trustees. In this connec
| ton IHE IRlBCHE suggcsis that there il
no good reason why the election shoulC
not be FOR four trustees, because Mr.
| Hanks has removed from the city and i
has been so long since he attended
meeting that his membership on the
board has almost been forgotten. Ii il
probable that if be were advised upof
the situation his resignation would lt
Forthcoming. If not his seat should tt
declared vacant and Il successor elected
Upon the subject Of school trustees a
wcll-known citizen sends the following
appropriate communication, which il
worth reading and considering:
To Lhe Editor Of 7T,r Tlibunc:
Are we patriotic? Then let us see to
it tnat our children are trained to be
patriots. Are we dehirOus that Great
Falls shall in the future be law -abidIpp !,
What better way to accomplish this can
be found than to give our boys ard glrls
well developed minds! Crime alwayp
supposea Il mUntal and moral deformity
OF some sort. DO We wish to be known
as progressive and intelligent com
munity? We shall find it impossible un
less we have first class schools. FIRST
class schools imply first class teachers
and first class teachers imply first class
school board.
1t is thankless task to serve on a
school board we are told. So it ia. And
1t is thankless task to be a mother or
father, or a preacher, or teacher. Peo
pie who conscientiousy fill these posi-
tions do not look for thanks. They get
their pay in the growth and development
OF those for whom they labor. Every
man and woman in this city is in meas.
ure responsible for every child in it,
Sinking does not lessen the responsible
ity. We have simple duly to perform
at the coming election, to put upon the
school board three of our most intelll-
gent and up-tO date citizens. We want
men or women who will sec that the
school funds are adequate and that they
are spent honestly and with due but not
undue regard 70 economy. We need
prudence and wisdom with Iiberality.
Good teachers are rare. Like poets.
they are born not made There ia a de.
mand for them all over the country. We
hear of great stacks Of applications sent
| n NV "a II va l,,
tion. But can they teach. Can they
speak and do they habitually speak the
purc5t English: Are they so well bred
that yon wish to ece your child. en- copy
Their manners: II they nosseEs these
qualities with the heaven. given ability
10 impart what they know their price ie
above ruhies. I4"t rs pay them Juet
even liberal, sums and keep our contract
with them to the letter.
It is a Disgrace to Us that our toachors
should receive less than the ten months
pay for which they contracted and that
they should be pad in county warrants
1T makes us appear 20 the rest of the
world as on the verge Of bankruptcy,
whereas we desire to make known the
real and exceptional prosperity which is
ours.
We have had some good school direct
ors but they got tired" No one whose
interests are bound up in Great Falls
has any business to get tired, any moro
than the mother whose baby s fretful
has Il right 10 stop taking care OF it.
The infant is born with right to good
care, aud our children are born with a
right to good schools. That is what the
word american" means.
The writer has d wide experience in
schools, public and private, at home and
abroad, and knows something Of teachers
and what a school director should be.
Let ua have the most highly educated
men and Wonlsn we possees on the board,
Give ue professional men and college
bred women if they are available, be-
cause they have an experience of schools
that a selfeducated person however
gifted and trained lacks. But in any
case give us tne best we have and let
them serve AS those who love their coun-
try and their race. As fathers, we may
work with the pick; as moth
srs We may and commonly do perform
all the tasks of the household, but we
all feel that nothing is too good for the