The Newtown bee., 1900-04-13

the school board voted to divide the school and hired temporarily & small room opposite the postof1ce in West Cornwall for school purposes. This room is situated over B brook running through the village and under which the water is stagnant for number of months in the year, particularly during the sum- mer and autumn. The dimensions of this room are 20 feet by 12 feet and six feet in height, and part of this room is l taken up by stairway leading to the room above. It is lighted by three win- dows on one side of the room. Into this room was crowded 26 little children. This school was maintained about year and half, until during the past winter, when the protests of the people became so strong that the school was closed by order of the board. This threw back in- to the old schoolhouse already crowded these 26 scholars. Very few of them have attended because of the inadequacy of the seating capacity of the building. The schoolhouse is situated upon small stream in close proximity to the high way with only few feet on two sides of 1t for 8 play ground. The building has become so dilapidated that the rain pours in through the roof and erases the work placed upon the black board by the teacher. This is not all. It has become necessary during heavy rain to move pupils to different portions of the room to avoid water falling upon them. The outhouses are so close to the building that the odor arising from the eff1uvia is go strong that it is impossible to open windows for ventilating purposes. on two sides of the room, particularly during the warm months. During the cold weather the room is heated by stove, which, although new. does not heat the room properly and uniformly. The foundation stones of the building have fallen out to considerable extent, and the wind whistles through benea tn, creating music for the shivering pupils. With these facts in view second meeting WAS called, feeling sure that if all these..wants WCAC RAnAhAy PACSCASCl SO ONA VSW ASA4CA they would recognize the justice of our demands and grant the paltry amount necessary to erect 8 proper two roomed building, which would give more advan- tages to the 50 children of our village.
 On Wednesday, April 4, the legal vo- ters of the town gathered once more to hear the reasonable appeal of men who had no personal interest them selves, but who desired to give to our younger generation the better advantages which they have been denied. The vote presented to the meeting was substantial ly this: That the sum of $500 be sppro- pristed to purchase site and erect 8 suitable building thereon in the vicinity of West Cornwall, coupled with vote to dispose of the present one.
 An offer of $400 had been made for 1t by man of generous impulse in this vil~ laRe in the hopos that the town would zee the absolute necessity and vote the remaining amount needed, $1100, to erect the structure. At this meeting there was no effort made to disguise the actual state of affairs as existing and for more than an hour such men as Senator David l.. Smith, Judge George 0. Harrison and Hon L. J. NickergOn, with others, plead. ed tor the wants and demands of our vil- lage children.
 Every question that human ingenuity could devise was asked, and every person present seemed satisfied that there was & just and reasonable cause for complaint, bu, every effort proved unavailing. This time the majority against education was greater than before. Men Eplesded for reconsideration, but it availed no more than Satan's assailments of the battle ments of Heaven.
 Ignorance, selfishness, seetionalism and stupidity could be the only reasons that could have brought about such results. Even the last three named members of the school board, who were among the ones to recommend these measures, plac- ! tending to uplift our standard of educa- tion. What noble guardians of educs- l tion those men are, on whom rest the de- Yelopment and extension of the school system of CornwallI See them! Let them rest in their disgraceful position. Men, who have violated every bond of moral responsibility to their town. Men, who have disgraced the flag for which their fathers fought and bled. Men who vio- lated both the duty and obligations which | they owe to their town, their state. their country and their God. In the ignominy of oblivion may they rest, and find .some consolation In their dastardly attempt to wreck our educational institutions.
 The moral responsibility of these act. ions must necessarily rest upon. the name of Cornwall. No longer can she pride herself as being the foremost of the many
 but relegated to the verge of pending Il
 literscy, she stands mute and silent like
 unto dumb sheep led out to slaughter