The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1897-06-05
OUR SCHOOLS.

Inc call lor special election to raise
81, 200 for school purposes in this district
brings to the attention of our people a
matter OF common interest, because it
concerns every citizen, whether he be
single or the head of a family. That
there is urgent necessity for more room
and for an increase in the force OF teach
ers is apparent from the fact that sixty
children are crowded into one small
room and are under the instruction OF
one teacher. An intelligent farmer seek
ing the growth and development OF his
swine for commercial purposes would
not pen sixty OF them in the amount of
space given to those little children for
school purposes.
A crowded schoolroom in single
term may entail lifelong misery upon
some luckless child. The editor of the
DISPATCH taught more than ten years in
the public schools of the State and has
seen pupils grow from childhood to man.
hood and womanhood, and has seen the
result of overcrowding nearsightedness,
hollow chests, otherwise misshapen
bodies, nervous ailments, defective hear
ing, general debility, retarded growth
and diseases contracted that marred the
life of the unfortunates.
Every parent is in duty bound to give
his child the best education that the
parents means will permit and likewise
lie the parent under obligations to see
that his child is surrounded by that
which is wholesome to body and to
mind. Plenty OF space and pure air and
sunshine are as essential to the growth
and development OF the child as they
are to the plant.
1t is not with US a question as to
whether more room is needed, but as to
how that room should be provided. The
needs of the hour plainly show us that
it was a mistake to ever move the old
wooden building from across the river,
and it was further mistake to add to it,
and to us it seems that it will bungle
matters still further to continue OH the
same lines. Had handsome and com.
modious brick structure been built then
it would have been paid for by this
time.
OF course it was hard to foresee what
would happen, but it is not hard to tell
now what is very liable to happen in the
the next few months. The prospects are
that the mines near here will prove per-
manent, and should this addition be
made during vacation it is more than
likely that the beginning of next term
will see the schools just as crowded as
they are to-day and the condition in no.
wise improved.
II this matter concerns the parent it
also concerns the taxpayers, and to
them we make the suggestion that there
ia more economy in handling this matter
right at the start than to he at con-
tinued expense in building and repair
ing the common shacks that have served
US as schoolhouses in the past. The tax
payers undoubtedly have their own
thoughts about the matter and they may
think we are little too previous or
little too visionary in regard to the
future of Wadsworth. We would like to
hear from them, and the columns of the
DISPATCH are at their dispoeal for that
purpose.
There should be nothing in this
matter that cannot bear the full light of
day and thorough discussion OF public
affairs always ends in good.
Stronger now than ever do we cherish
the idea that progressive community
will be always rewarded and receive the
fruits of earnest and well meaning ef-
fort. And we firmly believe that Wads
worth is destined to enjoy good times
and prosperity, to grow into thriving
town backed by mining, agricultural and
livestock industries, and in this belief
we urge consideration OF substantial
school buildings.
Would it not be more wise TO rent
vacant room at the beginning of the
next school term for three or six
months, hire an additional teacher, and
have the patience to wait and see what
effect the mines will have on Wads-
worth.