Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-10
HERE,s A SCHOOL QUESTION.

Editor Tipaes Republican,:
| Some time ago the board of truss
tees of the Elm Lutheran church pre-
scented a petition TO the board of edu-
cation of this city asking for room
in one of the school buildings, for
parochial Celigious) school purposes
! The petition received consideration
and it was decided not to grant the
request. as it was contrary to rule No
| IS. This rule was. that the buildings
poses, except when vacated for school
purposes by action of the board.
The board held that, vacated FOR
school purposes. could not have refer
ence to the summer vacation, bu,
meant when vacated entirely for such
purposes, Just what the trainers CT
| that clause had in mind at the time is
somewhat difficult to say 1t becomes
| a matter of conjecture. We are inclined
| to believe when it says vacated" that
! it also has reference to the summer
vacation. In such case it could be let
for school purposes by the consent of
| the board
| But let us grant that the board Is
correct in the Interpretation of this
rule. The question that would natur-
| ally follow is: Is this rule an eX-
pedient one? 1t appears not. For then
| it would exclude the summer schools
also, as these schools can not, in the
full sense of the term, be called pub
lie schools.
1t certainly could not be the object
Of those who drafted these rules TO
nj, = ;e- -
tice Of almost every village and city
to conduct summer schools, and they
are held in public school buildings
also. They are even conducted in this
city in such buildings.
But we say again: Granting that
the board is correct in their explana-
ton, would it not be in order to have
that rule revised, and that as soon as
possible"
We find it practiced to a very great
extent, that our country school houses
are used during vacation for parochial
school purposes. To a very great de-
gree right here in Iowa.
Furthermore, it is not only in the
country where the public school
houses are used for such cause. but
even in some of our cities. And, why
should it not be so? Is it not a good
school? Religion Is taught there, and
is not religion the safeguard of our
nation? Take the religious training
away from our country. and what
would you have? All candid think
ers must admit that there is nothing
grander than this.
Can we say that our children may
get too much religion? No danger
Of this. Besides this great number
learn their native language. This
must also be commendable. The high
school teaches many languages, why
should not we teach the one?
The problem confronting us here
seems to be: Is a school. that tends
to make our boys and girls better.
worthy of any support? We answer
most emlohatically in the affirmative.
But we are not asking the city OF
Marshalltown any financial support
whatever. We ask for a room where
such school may be taught. Our ia
cilities are inadequate, so we are vlr-
to,ally compelled to do this. We also
agree to stand for all damages done TO
the building by the children attending,
and leave it in good condition when
vacated.
The question for serious considera-
ton here is: Shall the city of Mar
shalltown discourage or encourage such
schools, which has for sole object
to make Of the rising generation better
men and women? There can be only
one reply to this.
But closing the doors of the school
buildings for such purposes is highly
discouraging.
Before closing we wish again to call
your attention to the revision of said
rule.
We can assure you that we are try
ing to do what is right, altho we may
sometimes fail.
Respectfully,
CLAUS QUALEN.