The Republican journal., 1909-12-23
SCHOOL BUILDINGS, EAST AND WEST

Mr.. Anglers letter on another page
shows his undiminished interest in his
native place and brings again to public
attention the urgent need for better
school buildings in Belfast. Mr.. Angler
says: Through the West the first ques-
ton asked by prospective settlers is that
of educational facilities, and the towns
that are not up-to-date in that respect
are given the go BY" That we believe
is true everywhere. Belfast has good
schools, and their crowded condition to-
day is due in large measure to people
coming in here, or sending their children
to enjoy the educational facilities offered.
That our present school buildings are in
adequate and unfit has been abundantly
demonstrated and is generally admitted.
If there had been less personal politics
and more regard for the interests of the
community in the past few years we
might have had q modern school build
ing underway, or completed, without en-
failing additional burdens on the taXpay-
ers. But as vote-getting measure this
did not appeal to the powers that be,
and the taxpayers money has been ex-
pended in other directions.
Now let us see how they do things in
the West The pamphlet sent by Mr..
Angler is not only interesting but is
finely illustrated and attractively print
ed. Under the head of Historical we
find this record: "1906-April 18th, San
Jose High School destroyed by earth
quake. October goth, sl75,000 bonds
voted for new High school. 1907-June
10Th, contract let for new building. Sep
TENDER 9th, corner stone laid. 1908
March DIST, $40, 500 bonds voted for
equipment. September 9th, dedication
of building"
Before giving a brief description of
San Jose's new school building let US
express the hope that if new school
buildings are erected in this city some
attention will be paid to the architecture,
so that while the interior arrangements
may be in accord with the requirements
and with modern ideas the exterior may
be attractive. This need not necessarily
entail additional expense, but calls for
the employment of competent archi-
tect. In San Jose the mission style of
architecture has been followed. We
quote from the booklet as follows:
The San Jose High school is perhaps
the first High school building construct
ed on the University plan. 1t consists
of five separate and distinct buildings so
grouped and connected as to form one
general whole. The Administration
building, with its massive towers, is the
central feature; on either side are the
Classical and Science buildings; at the
rear of these are the Domestic Science
and Manual Arts buildings. They are all
of the same type of architecture with
rough cement plaster eXteriors and red
tile roofs, and are connected by three
cloisters. One of these runs through
the towers between the east and west
entrances and is crossed by the other
two which extend from the Classical and
Science buildings to the rear end of the
group. Each of these two side cloisters
leads to the side entrances Of the Assem-
bly, Hall in the main building. The east
clolster also passes an open court around
which are located the various depart
ments Of the Manual Arts building.
These cloisters are Railways or pas
e5ages which afford shelter from the rain
II winter and from the sub-tropical sun
IN summer. The general description
above given is followed by details of the
several buildings, with illustrations, and
it only need be said that in their con-
struction and equipment every require
ment has been met. This new High
school building is not all that San Jose
has to be proud of. Within the past
year it has built four new grammar
schools of sixteen rooms each at a total
cost of about $500, 600. These are the
Lowell school, the Horace Mann school,
the Grant school and the Longfellow
school, and the illustrations show that
they are very handsome buildings.
A later note from Mr. Angler contains
clipping concerning an election held in
San Mateo county, November 9th, rela-
tive to bonding the district for $780,
900 new Union High school. The vote
was 231 yes, 20 no. The building will be
modern in every respect, will be con-
structed either Of brick or concrete, and
will be ready for occupancy January l,
1911. Mr.. Angler says: ''San Mateo is
a small place, about half way between
San Jose and San Francisco. You will
note the small number who opposed the
Improvement
The editor of the Independent Re-
,nect.c Of ....,.z 40 L..