The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-22
OUR HIGH soHooI,

To the Editor of The Times. read in
your columns some time aro an account
Of the action of our Council with refer.
ence to our high school building. At
that time it did not sccur 20 me,tbat the
purchase OF the Fidelity building would
be consummated, but THAT our stay there
was only of temporary nature.
The Council on last Tuesday approved
the contract submitted and recommen,led
in joint report by. the Committee ON
finance end public property. This con
tract provides for the purchase, at a cost
Of $40, 600, of the Fidelity building on
the corner of Salem avenue and Roanoke
street, which building is to be used for
school purposes, supposedly for the high
school.
The unsuitableness of this location has
long been recognized, but we have kent
silent, supposing this location only tenn
porary. Now that this. building is about
to be made the permanent quarters of our
has not gone too far to be annuled The
objections should be put in tangible
shape and carefully considered.
Many things are to be considered in the
selection of n school building. Certainly
among these not. the least important is
location. Accessibility is very impor-
tant, but location is nearer the essential
| feature. Let the location be selected,
and then make it accessible; don't select
place merely because it is accessible
and convenient. Why is the building
| commonly known AS the Smith building
not suitably situated? The statutes of
many cities Gf not our own, why notO
distinctly state that intoxicants shall not
he sold within a distance of from 100 to
200 yard" OF any public school. This
will apply With greater pertinence to a
high school than to primary or gram
mar school, Saloons and such places
have no temptation for small boys. But
| it is the boy of mature years who finds
there the enticements and evils which so
surely lead to destruction. But relevant
| not only are the saloons not lacking,
but in sight of and within talking dis
lance is the street of streets of it's Kind
Earnest avenue-the place OF brawls,
street fights, police court items, etc
A.school site was purchased in our city
not far away some time ago, and Mt great
sacrifice of.accessibility. A:vacant quare,
whole square, park in itself, with ample
room for play grounds, WAS chosen. If
there is one thing above another child
needs it is room. Don't let the children
be crowded like sheep into small enclo-
sure The Melrose campus affords a
| striking example. But this selection was
made from necessity " and is not perma.
neDt. 1t Is not my aim to give reasons
for selecting the ever-recognized suitable
surroundings Of school of every kind
that pretends to approach the ideal, but
merely to call to the minds of those who
doubtless have never considered the selec.
ton from just this standpoint If these
things have been carefully considered,
we will bow to the decree of better judg-
ment and say no more But in the name
OF all who ever expect to attend the high
school. let the matter be considered first
from the standpoint of morality, so that
in whatever circumstances we may be
placed we may feel that the moral side
of our natures, at least, may stand the
test. A PUPIL,