Bisbee daily review., 1905-07-30
THE AMER RlCAN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THE AMERICAN
 PUBLIC SCHOOL.
 The laying of The corner stone of Greater Bisbee's magnificent school house this afternoon is of more than local significance It is another step in the realization of a thoughtful plan, laid by our forefathers. which has made the public school system of tbe United States second to none i1 the world, and has insured for every boy and girl. regardless of his condi ton in society or lack of financial as sistance, the priceless boon of an ed ucatior.
 The public school system, as we aow know it, was rot established with cut opposition, and it was only early III the nineteenth century that the idea of organizing schools, where the children of the rich and poor alike could receive free instruction, took firm root in the minds of the people of the several states.
 The first law passed in the colonies looking toward the public school sys- tenn was in 1G47, when Massachusetts passed a law requiring. every town of fifty householders to maintain a mas ter to teach reading and writing, and n each town containing one hundred huusehoIders the course should also incIufe grammar. Connecticut fcl- S0wed in 1c5d We find the New Eng land states taking thcAma in matters of education, and in t1sanSew Jersey passed a law looking co me establish ment of public schools. In the South there were nc public schools previous to the Revolution, and what was done in the way of education was the result of private enterprise. h T7S5 and 17S7 laws were passed by Congress setting aside one thlrty-siXth of all the public lands in the several states fer school purposes and since that date the growth Of public schools has been rapid, until today a srod education is the birthrignt of every American boy and girl. an inheritance Of priceless value that should be friz el above everything else and not lightly cast aside.
 The Risbee Public School is the best advertisement the town has. Un der the able guidance of practical experienced teacher, aided by tn. wise counsel of representative trus tees who have been unceasing in tien efforts for it's welfare, the magnihcsn new school building will be a mon ment to their memory in the hearts c Bisbee school children in long year to come.
 IL IS not many years ago when tn Hdestrict school was a criie atfelr Pine desks and straight back hcnche were the rule ra,her than the excer lion. but in this progressive age VI find the pupils surrounded with ever n1odorr convenience. The blue Dao -sDeIliu' book has given way to th chart system. and the master mind cf the country, under the organization Of the National Educational Society are madrg it more easy year by yea for the young idea to shoot.
 The public school system of tn United States is the safeguard of tn nation. Within the little schoc houses all over the land the chaTacte of its future citizens is being moulded There the flame of patriotism and low of country is being kirdled. togethe with the desire for Q seeking afte Higher and nobler things that leav their impress on inc men and wome oF the nation, and make of the Amer fcan people a nation of refinement an intelligence fully prepared to cop with the tr1ais that beset their live lu after years.
 Hoy dear are tho recollectOns O thc levine association of our schoc Jays. and often the full value of tn precious moments are not borne il upon us until after years. On thi occasion today the school childrcl have an important part. It is thci school building made possible by thei enthusiastic efforts in which it wa a pleasure to join, and let us hope tha when they take tbeir seats in thei new home of learning they will catcl the inspiration of a high resolve L ~dig in" ard improve each golden or Portunity.