The Dolores star., 1902-09-19

sincerely believe the time has come
when we should unite "a u county and
take step in advance in school matters
| take it for granted that all are
agreed on this proposition, that moth
ing tends to the material progress of n
! people more than good schools. have
lived in this county seventeen wears:
during this time several of my children.
having finished the course in the dis
trict school, have sent them away to
I've instructed in those branches that are
not taught in the common school
| This has cost me great deal of money
Others have sent their children from
home and spent large sums in the same
way; this money, had il been used for
that purpose, would have built and fur
nished very respectable academy in
which those branches might be taught
at home.
Butter, cheese, bacon, lard, canned
beef, fruit, corn, peas and sugar are i'm
ported here III car loads, though we
have as good a county to produce these
things as there is in the state
We need an academy in which our
young people can receive, not merely a
normal training, but instruction in ag-
riculture, horticulture, animal indus
try, engineering, mining, domestic and
political economy, commercial law, etc,
to fit them to do their part in the de
velopment OF the resources Of this one
of the richest counties in the richest
state of the formost nation ofthe world.
My home is here and l am proud of it..
| l have large family, some are married,
the Others no doubt will be in time.
expect they will make their homes and
raise families in this county. wish
| them TO become honorable, intelligent,
useful citizens of the state and be able
to receive a good, all-round, practical
education, without having to leave
| home 10 get 1t.
| The advantages of such an academy
would be very many, for instance the
money now used to build up other
counties would be used at home, our
children would not have to leave father,
mother, brothers, sisters and youthful
companions to receive an education
among strangers, being deprived of the
sacred influences of home. And where
there is one, on account of the expense,
can go away to school, ten could at
tend school at home; thus the advant-
age by comparison would be tenfold,
and further men of character, wealth
and enterprise would find inducements
to come here with their families and
live and invest their money.
Wide awake, progressive men will
not come here and leave their families
behind or send them away after they
get here To be educated. If we want
additions of this class we must make
it pleasant for them by offering them
educational and social advantages that
make life desirable.
Our children are our pride, our hope,
for them we live, we plan, we pray, we
labor: let us lay aside religious prejudice,
political and party bias and unite as
citizens for the common good. This
subject interests all the county, those
who have no children ms well rs those
who have, as matter of public policy
it should not be put off.
believe it is the duty of the county
superintendent to be alive to the inter
ests of the county, especially in school
affairs; therefore I make these sugges-
tions, trusting they may awaken
thought leading to intelligent notion
on these lines.
WILLIAM HALLS, ssR.