Arizona republican., 1908-04-01
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The Territory, the County and Tempe
 In Particular.

To the Editor of The Republican;
 Sih:-In accordance with the well established principle that it is the duty of q democratic government, as an act of self preservation. to main tain public school, system. under the exclusive control of the civil power and that all property, both real and personal. should be taxed 10 educate the children. Arizona, early in its his tory laid the foundation for a public school system. which was destined to develop into one of the best public school systems to be found anywhere in the United States
 Our legislatos have from time tO time. wisely legislated in the interests of our children. and have provided am pie funds for the maintenance of schools in the various districts from six to nine months every year, so that now where the Indian brave once erected his wigwam and counselled his warriors by the light of the camp fire. modern school houses, filled with young Americans. who are destined some day to guide the ship of state, may be seen with the stars and stripes floating from their roofs.
 In 1906 these school houses nIhnber- CT go. There were 23,565 children go- ing to school, who were under the care and guidance of 554 teachers.
 Not satisfied alone with our public school system. we have gone further and established six High schools. two Territorial Normals and one Univer- sity. besides the various private in- cf; OT convents. and business colleges
 In the upbuilding and perfecting of this school system of which We are so justly proud. Maricopa County claims a good share of the honor Her citi- zens thoroughly imbued with the idea of progressiveness and utterly adverse to retrogression, are up and doing. They are always found in the front ranks, especially on the educational march. Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa be- ing the three largest places in the county, have naturally taken the lead in most all movements for better education.
 Tempe. situated midway between Phoenix and Mesa has exceptionIly good educational advantages Besides the Territorial Normal. which was es- tablished in 1886. and to which every AriZonian can point with pride, Tempe can boast of q public school, second to none in the county. From a little adobe room with fifteen or twenty pupils, presided over by one teacher. the school has grown to an imposing two story brick building of eight rooms Eight teachers are employed to guide the 235 pupils who daily en- ter the rooms for instruction So thoroughly instilled with the spirit of progress and education are the citi- zens of Tempe and the adjacent school districts that they are now talk ing the necessary steps towards the erection and equipping of a Union High school building. This building will be ready for occupancy sometime this coming fall.
 With public school second to none in the territory, whose Eighth grade graduates would do justice to any school of equal ranks. With a Nor mai school, commanding place in the first ranks of similar institutions throughout the United States. With the certainty that a Union High school of 1908. Tempe is justly the Athens of Arizona.
 HOme-seekers, the latch strings of our schools hang on the outside. Pull and enter. We extend to you a hand of welcome.
 H. Q. ROBERTSON,
 Principal Tempe School. Tempe, March 24, 1908.