The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-02-26
A Graded School Needed.
Editor Democrat Star.

Editor Democrat, star.
Now that Scranton has a public-spirited and
progressive corps of municipal officers, it NAV
not be inopportune to bring forward the sub
ject of Il modern school building. It will be
conceded bv all that the school facilities Of the
town are not what they should be. Our child
rem, with their quick, eager, active minds, in
the very nature of things are clearinghouse
be learning-every day. In the absence Of
schools they are learning mischief. Scranton
has seen in the past graduates in the school of
idleuess and crime. II Shway robbers and
murderers at eighteen are the logical outcome
Of the conditions that surround the youth of
any town without schools. There are some of
our citizens who can afford to send their child
reu off to school. Not one Of them but would
prefer to see their children educated at home.
But what is to become Of those untortunates
whose parents cannot afford this expense?
The rich cannot afford to disclaim interest in
their neighbours children. Not one If us can
tell which among the young men and women
growing up about us, is going to exert an in
%luence on our own children for good or for
come. Gam | my brothers Keeper" must be
answered, %"yes." No man can live unaffected
BY the inhences that environ him. We are all
creatures of our surroundings. If they are
pure and wholesome and inspiring, our lives
and our chlldren's lives will be moulded, and
SO by the reverse.
We live for our children. To see them use
ful and happy men and women is our earnest
hope. Aud to see my children thus, the need
is that we help to make our neighbor's child
rem the same. No man lives or can live for
himself.
One of the first questions asked by that
class Of men whose coming we welcome, the
men of means seeking a new home, is what
about schools? and the next, where are the
churches? II they learn that the schools are
not what they should be, they seek homes
elsewhere. The men who settled the great
West and made it what it is to-day, were men
who built the school house first aud the church
next. The descendants Of these men have
erected the great States Of Ohio and Indiana
and Illinois, and in every town and hamlet and
village Of the West the cupola Of the school
house, with the flag staff, reaches as far aloft
as the spire OF the church.
Scranton should have a graded school with
competent teachers, and there side By side
with the rich and wcll-to-do ought to be seen
the son of the mechanic and the sailor In
these days when longtime municipal bonds
bearing a moderate rate of interest are the
most eagerly sought Investments, a $40 600
brick school building, well equipped with all
modern appliances and convenirnccs Of the
school room, is within easy reach of towns not
So large as Scranton BY one. third. Such a
building would soon be the pride Of every
citizen. 1t would bring immigration to our
borders and Of the most desirable class. 1t
would enhance the value of every lot of land
in the place fifty per cent. And from its
doors as the wears 90 by would be a pro-
cession Of wide-awdke, self-respecting, %intelli-
gent roung men and women to build up our
waste places aud bring new life and vlgor to
every interest in our midst.
Let us have a graded school. CITIZEN.
Scranton, Feb. q, 1897.