The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-23
THE MAYOR AND The HIGH SCHOOL

III would be great thlng Tor the city oil
Houston II she had a splendid college OF
her own in her midst. free to all her young
men aud young women 1t would show an
| intelligent devotion to higher education
that would not only rebound to the credit,
but add UNNECESSARILY to the general
standing and prestige of the city.
| The establishment of such an institution
being practically impossible at present, the
next best thing is the High school. We
have been justly proud of our High school.
II is thorough and comprehensive in its
methods and has turned out hundreds of
graduates who would be creditable alumni
Of half the colleges in the country. 1t Is,
in fact. local college upon an I'M
ambitious and reduced scale. Its very pres
ence in our midst has attracted to this
city many residents who desired that their
children should enjoy the higher education
which 1t furnished. 1t has given us repu-
tation as an education loving people and
it is calculated under the proper foster
ing care to do yet more for the glory and
upbuiding OF Houston.
1t can. therefore, only be matter for pro.
found regret to hear the mayor of the city,
in public message, discredit its utility,
speak slightingly of its results and ad-
vocate reduced appropriations for its main
tenance! Our young chief executive has In
too many other respects displayed intelli-
gence and spirit OF progress to suggest
the narrow and backward step involved
In, lie rap rIfo ,i,.o
cripple the efficiency of that part of our
school system would be to do an Injustice
to the taxpayers of Houston. who b. an
overwhelming majority feel pride in this
admirable institution, and it would worl,
irreparable injury to the city.
The mayor thinks that but few OF the
youth Of Houston enjoy the High schools
advantages because but comparatively few
graduate This latter fact is true OF all
colleges--the number graduating is small
compared TO the number matriculating or
generally in attendance. Hundreds each
session have the benefit of this higher in
structlon, and whether they complete the
full course or not are better equipped from
an educational standpoint when they take
up the real burdens of life A graduating
class of forty is really large one and In
excess OF the graduating classes OF many
of the pretentious colleges of the country.
At Annapolis and West Point. with their
more than 800 students, the lower classes
counting hundred or more, and whore
the Percentage of graduates is higher than
in private schools, the graduating classes
dwindle down to from fifty to seventy!
The fact is, our High school is eminently
successful and doing noble work. II
may be possible to improve upon the
courses of study and give them a moro
practical character. The Post has adyo-
Gated such change on more than one
occasion. The school may, indeed, be made
more useful and efficient, as should be
done, but the way to accomplish this n no,
by cutting down the funds allowed 1t. To
reduce tho cost of its maintenance would
be TO simply cripple vital part of our
public school system to the disgrace of
the city.
Mayor Brashear should revise his opin.
Ions ON this subject for his own reputation
II nothing else The Post is absolutely sure
that in his retrcgressiys suggestions the
mayor does not voice either the intelligent
public sentiment or the desires of the great
body of the citizens OF Houston.
Improve the High school IL you win OF
can render It more efficient shorten the
iaii course II possible, by revising the
curriculum. but do not embarrass II by
higgardiy ailowances-do not discredit ils
usefulness, nor underestimate its advan-
tages and results,