El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-09-29
NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOLS

In this issue the HERALD presents
some facts regarding the deplorable
condition OF our schools with reference
to the lack Of accommodations. The
problem Is indeed q serious one and
one nlso that comes home TO every
citizen. 1t is q shame that the city Is
not now able to provide seats for sll
those who apply to Us for education.
A primary education is one thing that
the community is supposed to grant
freely TO every one who applies, and
10 this Is not done, the community has
Only itself to blame II the standard OF
intelligence Is lowered, and the young
are found to be tending away from
the lines of right living.
In this case the city was taken un-
awares. The growth in the number
applying for elementary schooling has
been far beyond expectation. But this
fact ought not to prevent US from act
ing promptly now that the conditions
are placed clearly before Us. II Is q
case where apathy Is indefensible.
The HERALD believes that an addi-
ton to the Mexican school, and one
new building or its equivalents in adj
ditious to existing buildings, as may be
deemed most expedi lent by the school
authorities, are absolute necessities.
That fact being assumed without az
gument, IL only remains to provide the
means. After canvassing the various
methods by which the required i'm
provemeuts could be secured, we have
come to the conclusion that the best
way. in fact the only way, to provide
the necessary funds is to issue bonds
for the desired amount.
1t Is believed by those in a position
to understand what Is wanted that ff-
teen thousand dollars, possibly ten or
twelve. would be enough for present
purposes. While we are averse on
general principles to increasing the
bonded debt OF municipality for any
purpose except in a case Of the great
est urgency, nevertheless we believe
this TO be q case In which prompt al d
vigorous action Is called for. Accord
ingly the HERALD favors the immedi-
ate issue OF school bonds, to an amount
not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars,
to be used solely for buildings and
equipments rs specified.
It Is unlikely that there will be any
serious opposition to- this proposed
bond issue. IL is our understanding
that the administration ia in favor OF
it, but, II we are correctly informed,
with q string attached. The mayor,
and some others in authority, are cred
lied with favoring the school bopds,
but they desire to add to the call for
these a proposition for the issue OF all
bonds, the two to run together. We
are uncompromisiugly opposed to join
ing anything with the school issue. II
is OF vital Importance that the school:
should be provided for at once, and a.
there Is likely to be opposition to or J
other bond Issue, while no voter will
dare TO oppose the school proposition,
IL would almost certainly jeopardize
the success of the school bonds, IL the
issue were complicated in any manner
whatever. Let the. school bond pro
position come before the people on its
merits, and let them decide neither
IL shall go through. Let there be nc
politics in the determination OF this
question. Every tax payer, regardless,
of his party affiliations, ought to favor
this proposition, for il means advance
mens for the town aud simple justice
10 tho children.