Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1904-09-14
IA PROSPEROUS
 YEAR PROMISED For PrescOtt'S s Public
 Schools.
An Energetic and Progressive Sup erintendent and Highly Efficient
 Corps of Teachers.

After a vacation of nearly three
 months Prescott's public schools
 opened again last week under most suspicious circumstances and with an increased enrolment over last year. The present school year promises now to be the most important in the his- tory of the town. The schools are under the general supervision of Prof.
 B. D. Billinghurst, who during three successive terms in the position has thoroughly proved his ability in every respect, as we'll as his progressive ness along all lines for the promotion of education.
 While the greatest efficiency has be sn attained in every department during the period of his incumbency of the position of superintendent, new departments have been added and the present year haas witnessed a num- Der of these which will be mentioned later in this article.
 For the past several years Prescott has taken the lead of all other schools in the territory in the matter of progress. It was only few years ago that the kindergarten was consolidat- ed with and made part of the public school system, a private kindergar- n.having been formerly maintained in the town. This was the first kinder garten in the territory, kept up as part of the public school system.
 Last year under the influence of Prof. Billinghurst and through the generosity of Mrs. Hugo Richards a sewing department was added to the schools for the benefit of the girls, this also being the first in the terri tory.
 This year a manual training depart ment has been established for the boys, which is also the first of this kind in the territory under the auspices of public school.
 A high school, with a regular high school course of studies has also been established this year, but Prescott cannot claim the honor of being the first in this respect. While so- called high school has been maintain ed for several years its curriculum has not been that of the regular high school course.
 In addition to the regular high school course teacher in short hand and type writing has also been engag- ed, and has quite a number of pupils already.
 Music will also constitute separate feature of this years work, one of the regular teachers employed being also skilled in teaching music.
 By paying good salaries the board of trustees are enabled to secure the very best teachers and only such are employed, every member of the crops being graduate of either some nor nal school or college.
 While many of the former teachers, in fact majority of the old teachers have been re-employed this year, the new ones employed possess the high est qualifications, and the school year gives promise of the very best results. Tone of the new teachers in addition to her other qualifications and ac- is possessed of very rich and we'll cultivated contralto voice, as we'll as being violinist of reputation.
 The editor of the Journal Miner in with Prof. BillinghuIst, l few days since found him very en- husiastic over the prospects for the rear. So far as he could judge, no mistake has been made in the selee- ion of teachers, and each one had ,ntered upon her duties with an ener- " and enthusiasm which can result ,nIy in the greatest success.
 The pupils, catching the contagion if enthusiasm from their teachers, lave also started their work in the fight spirit. The boys of the schools eem particularly enthusiastic over he manual training department and his will no doubt prove a success and benefit to all of them. MT. Clark, he teacher seems to take deep in- crest in his work, as we'll as being
 Contiuuad on paoa