Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-02-21

in both branches; in the House, it had
the growth of the higher spiritual per-
ceptions and convictions by which we
recognize relations and obligations to our
Creator. Such development is neces
sary as basis for special preparation
for any profession or occupation. Ger
tainly clear headedness, intelligence and
character are not out OF place on the
farm or IN the farm home.
A we'll rounded, evenly balanced char
acter is desirable in every one. and the
more needed are such because of their
comparative scarcity, both in town aud
country. We have great many "cranks,"
characters who are "born short" or alb
normally developed in some directions.
The criminal classes are 'short" IN the
moral sense, and we are all short in some
sense and some of us are short in many
if not in all senses, and the tendency OF
the various occupations is to lead men to
run in grooves aud to grow narrow, hence
the necessity Of a liberal and general de-
velopement of character and powers dur
ing the formative period. Such it seems
to me should be the aim of our element
airy schools, as we'll as to impart knowl-
edge of the common branches of study.
This leads to the discussion of the present
conditions and equipments of the schools
and their ability to meet the demands OF
the work.
In this county there are So rural
schools and 10 rooms IN city schools, en-
ploying each term llS teachers, with a
school population of 1905 persons be-
tween the ages of and 81 years. Ofthis
number 1880 were enrolled IN the schools
last year, Oil of these were enrolled in
the So rural schools or on average of %
pupils in each school. OF this number
enrolled there was an average daily at
tendance in each of the country schools
of IA during the school year. The at
tendance in the schools, however, is not
uniform. many are very large while others
are small. Some of the districts having
the largest attendance have the poorest
and smallest houses, while some have
room to spare. Some school rooms are
crowded beyond all possibility OF com,
fort or convenience, and satisfactory
work is almost out of the question, and
yet the teachers have managed to secure
some studying by the pupils and some
progress has been made.
Each district is composed of from two
to six sections of land averaging about
four sections, with the school house stu
ated as near the center of the districts as
roads and location of population will
permit, and often are a considerable dis
lance from any residence. More than
half the children travel from one to two
and half miles from their homes to the
schools. This accounts in part for the
irregular attendance. especially III
bad weather. Some of these houses stand
in native groves and are we'll sheltered
and shaded, others are in the open pral-
ries and often without any protection
from the winds Of winter or the heat OF
summer, and not much attention has
| been given 10 improvement OF the sur
roundings. The condition OF the build
| ings is much better in many districts
than it was few years ago. AS this Is
vet a new country some OF the first houses
| built are still in use, and some have beer
subject to several removals to meet the
changing needs of the population. The
new houses built to take the place of the
pioneer structures that have passed ava.
are usually larger and in many ways al
Improvement upon the first and are sup
piled with better furniture. So far as
| the buildings are concerned the progress
of improvement has kept pace with tn
general improvement of the country ane
there is very much in the present condi
ton of the schools to be both Thankful
for and proud of, and it is not my pur
pose to find any needless fault wit
them; but desire to point out some de
fects for the purpose OF securing. as far a
possible, an improvement in some thing
that are not yet what they might be wit
proper effort on the part of all who ar
interested.
I think a mistake is often made in nc
building larger houses. The house ma
be large enough when built to accomme
date the children then in the district, br
population Is changing aud IN man
cases the same houses are soon owe
crowded, to the great detriment of til
school, and the money invested in tn