The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-28
CITY OFFICIAL pspER.


EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS.
AS the election is over and the aist5
and fogs that ciouded our political at
mosphere have disappeared, the people
of the state Of Washington. and es-
pecialiy Of seattle. should address
themselves with energy apd intelligence
to the various problems still confront
ing them. which demand an early and
correct solution, If the future Is To be
properly provided for. A most import
ant question relates TO our educational
institutions. and more particularly To
the control and management OF our pub
lie schools. one OF the first questions
asked by Eany Of the people coming In
To the state. on looking in this direction,
refers to the character and standing Of
these schools, and upon the answer may
depend the present action and future
movements Of thousands Of people who
are. or soon will be. seeking homes In
this western country.
Too little attention is paid by the
mass Of citizens to this important sub
ject. Ordinarily they are so engaged
In matters OF business. i'm which they
are directly and personally interested,
that they have no time for the consid
Grafton OF questions pertaining to the
general welfare Of the community at
large. A board Of directors In each dis
trict Is elected without much care or
thought as to the qualifications OF Its
members. and the management OF our
schools, where So large a part OF the
training of our children is carried on.
Is left exclusively to- this board without
advice. assistance or consultation with
citizens. who are most vitality interest
ed in its work. Whether II Is in building
school houses seeking for competent
teachers. looking after truant children
a duty by the way too often neglected.
or in the discharge Of any other duty
imposed by iaw upon this school board
the custom prevails Of leaving all these
matters TO the board. regardless of the
ability or efficiency O! its members for
the discharge of the responsible duties
devo'ved upon them. That this Is a
serious mistake VIII not be questioned
By anyone who investigates the subject
The training If the children OF the state
who are SO soon To control It's destlnies
u a matter or too much concern 10 be
thus lightly passed over. or 10 be com
mitsed without protest OF recourse. IN
to incompetent hands. Every good cit
ixen should take an active Interest in
these matters. and. at least In the great
majority % eases. the various school
boards Of the state would be only too
glad To have the advice and cooperation
OF those who arr. Interested in the size
cessful prosecution II educational work
upon all Of is various lines in our pub,
lie schools. These boards devote much
time ana labor Ia the discharge ~ their
often complicated and always respon-
sihie duties without compensation. ard
II is only reasonable that they should
expect aud receive the active str,poft
assistance and encouragement of all
good citizens IN carrying Oh their work.
Fortunately in Seattle a hoard has
been elected. made ep II business men
OF wenR ability. integrity ana ex-
reftence. who can be safely intrustra
with the matters committed to their
charge hut theN would MS de.lAt ela lis.
receive ana give proper consideration
to any suggestion which niIeht he ma A
e them touching rae matters uYan
which they mast net In the near future
This board viii have tbs aishufsir~ Of
s2ae.oeo during tire coming year I'm cen.
necticn wlth rhe p0bl3e schools 80 SCAT
tie That the juG}cEous expenditure =
this large safD oE Fnouey G,eans us4rA 20
the cause % education In Seattle. f1r
many years Il coaa. y Y rot BE- cues
toned J; : perhaps act foo a,sich =
say that tn the urece.3ents established.
In sRe Increased efficiency Z ear schools
aai Ia ghe confar; 4na convenience -.
the pupils in tie buildings 90 T.. EN-.
airnr'ed. ns good effects ~ SEA r.. fa.t sor
3 TeneFaitoa 70 cofne The material I'd,
santages "a BE derived fsors ss,e yrrrs-
expenditure Il th{s taere> ars small
however. 'n comparison ssgta she moral
! ant intellectual beneals which shou}s