The Forrest City times., 1898-08-19
Our Public School.

AS ptI dIiHOubCCuCut. tuCic was d chool mass meeting at the Court house ast Friday night. Hon. 0. B. Roll Eage was chosen to preside, and did in his usual affable manner His emarks upon taking the chair were
 pproprlate and forcible.
 Hon. J. J. Doyne, of Lonoke. Demo- cratic candidate for Superintendent of Public Anstruction, was introduced, bnd spoke at length upon the topic of Public Schools. He is thoroughly fa- niliar with the subject and has had a arge experience in this important field lIe has been principal of the Lonoke public schools for upwards of a dozen bears, and has made them second to hone in the state. In his speech he re- kited the difficulties which are often met with in the successful operation of dstrict schools. In his word picture he described very closely the existing conditions here. Among other things De said that the citizens and business |men of Lonoke had from year to year been forced to subscribe an auxiliary fund for the free schools, owing to the 1nsufliciency of the school revenues to pay the necessary expense of nine- months session, and that within the last nineteen years, they had given the magniicent sum of S3S,0 for that Purpose. He emphasized the acknowl edged necessity of our educational in- stitutions, and that an absolutely free term of nine months at least should be guaranteed to every child Tn the dis Itrct.
 His remarks were received with much appreciation and satisfaction by small audience, which was composed of our most enterprising citizens.
 MT. John Gatling and Rev. l.. R. Simpson also delivered short addresses and urged an awakening to the social, moral and business interests of the community by more active parlicipa- ton in those things which would bene- nt our public schools.
 When the meeting adjourned all who attended felt that they had not only discharged duty, but had really been highly entertained and benefited.
 The School board then determined 70 circulate popular subscription list With the object of securing an auxilli- ary fund of about s900, which is re- qllred to insure nine-months free school. Accordingly Messrs. James russell, 0. E. Rollwage and John Cat ing have circulated subscription paper and the names and amounts sub serlbed are published in this paper under the proper caption of "rlle Roll Of Honor.''
 Ihls list contains the names of those Who are willing to contribute to the upouildlng of our city schools, Many nave not yet been seen, and quite a number have refused to sign. These ialter are no doubt laboring under d mlsapprehension, and after delibera- .loh may yet come to the rescue of our Tree schools
 we are assured that the school funds are Jldiclously expended and that the revenues are insufficient to pay the ex- pshse of nine-months free school. Ahis being true, there should be no hesitancy upon the part of citizens "ho are able to do so. to contribute to an auxiliary fund. The efforts of the 0chool board to secure this fund is ''mmendable. Their interest is in- sp'fed from patriotic and unseltish motives. Thei, whole aim is that every child in District No. :, be it rich VT poor, shall have equal opportunities !" secure common school education ifee of charge.
 ih their canvass they met with but ohe citizen who does not favor free Schools.
 should there be other names sub acfioed to The Roll of Honor," we VIII publish them next week.
 school will begin about the 12th of September