The Newtown bee., 1902-10-03
TOWN. TOPICS.
THE NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
A NOTABLE SUCCESS.

No public enterprise, within the
knowledge of the writer, reflects SC
much credit upon the people of this
town as the establishment of the pub
lie high school. The strength and
unity of purpose in the movement
were as gratifying as surprising to
every one who cares for the public
welfare and prosperity. The time had
come; and public sentiment and opin-
ion met the demand with good judy
ment, liberality and even enthusiasm.
The vote to establish and maintain
such school was practically unani-
real opposition. Everybody seemed to
regard it as pressing necessity. 1t
was purely a matter of public business,
and happily was so treated. Parents
having children to educate were tired
of paying tuition on top of taxes: and
those who have no children, many of
them the heaviest taxpayers, were
glad to do that which even in a COM
mercial sense was necessary to the
future good of the community.
Inc Academy had apparently done
its work: and it was very doubtful
whether it could be supported another
year. If the Academy was suspended
a considerable number of pupils would
Bridgeport and Danbury, at the eX-
pense of the town. Everything was
shaping to drive people out; and moth
| ing was being done to induce people to
come here to reside. Business, proper
ty, social relation and every kind of
interest was involved in the problem
OF the higher education of our bows
and girls.
Fortunate, indeed, was the appoint
ment of the high school committee
They are all professional men, repre-
senting the highest attainments and
culture in the community. Three of
Barker and J. w. Gordon, Nj. d., are
graduates of colleges; and Attorney G.
IL. NOrthrOp, a graduate of the Law
School of Yale University. Common
sense approves at once the wisdom of
selecting men who have had the high
est grade of education themselves, to
conduct school for the higher train
ing of our children. Moreover. these
gentlemen represent in a remarkable
degree the various elements, religious
and political in the town: and three
out OF the four belong to the dominant
party. So that while there is no in
tention of making the high school the
creature OF politics or of religion,
one to suspect such motive. In fact,
as | understand, it was not even
known to any one in town, until after
his appointment, that Rev Mr. George
is democrat and has always been one
The high school, new, and young as
it is, speaks for itself. If there is any
doubt of the wisdom of the movement.
the practical interest of parents and
children affords all the evidence nee
essary to settle the question. About
so boys and girls, representing all but
five OF the 81 districts in the town, if
| am correctly informed, presented
themselves as candidates for admis-
sion. OF the 40 who passed the exam
ination, Al entered, and 10 are at pres
ent pursuing the course of studies.
Those represent the different parts
of the town as follows: Flat Swamp
district, one; Hanover, two; Middle,
seven; North Center, five: Palestine,
six: Pootatuck, two; Sandy Hook,
eight: South Center, five; Teddy Hill,
two; Walnut Tree Hill, four; Zoar,
one.
And there are, it is said, 40 more