Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-05-23
THE SCHOOL ELECTION.

Let those who feel gratifed over
the result of yesterdays school elec-
ton count the Observer out. While
not pleased by the vote, this news
paper has no feeling of soreness over
the defeat of plan which it believed
was for the best interest of Dallas,
Dallas College, LaCreole Academy,
and the Dallas school district. If any
loss shall result from this vote, it will
be to Dallas, her time-honored insti-
tuition, LaCreole Academy, and the
High School, and not to Dallas Col
lege--an institution, which in view Of
the proposed confederation of inter-
ests with the Evangelical Association
and the United Brethren churches,
win be received with open arms by
any one of a number of Western Ore
gon cities desirous of establishing an
institution Of higher education in its
midst The Observer does not feel a
personal defeat in the outcome of
this election--it only regrets that a
step was taken by the voters of Dali
las school district whereby Dallas may
possibly lose a useful and valuable
institution-one which has contrlbut-
ed in large degree to the upbuilding
of Dallas as a live and growing town
one which has been the means of
bringing into Dallas each year more
new money than was asked by the
trustees of the Academy as the pur-
chase price OF !. their building and
ground.
1t is hoped thai Dallas College may
yet find a way to carry out Its plans
for enlargement and improvement
and remain in Dallas. 1t is also i'm
emy be supported and maintained.
There is no pleasure or profit in losing
useful institutions you have worked
hard to secure. All this talk of aban-
doning the Academy and building up
the High School is not well consid-
cred. The High School has it's i'm
portant place, but it can never take
the place of the Academy in attract
ing new families to Dallas. 1t must
be remembered there are now a half
dozen High Schools in Polk County,
with as many more in immediate
prospect. And we have it upon no
less authority than that of the State
School Superintendent that some of
the rural High Schools are actually
better equipped and doing better
work than those of the towns. The
Dallas High School will always be
well supported by the people of Dali
las, but a farmer will not be likely to
pull up and move here for school ad-
vantages when he can send his child
rem a little distance across the fields [
or down the country lane to a school
as well equipped and doing as good
or possibly better work. The Acad-
emy, on the other hand under its
present management, will and does
bring new students and new families
to Dallas to increase the population
and prosperity of this community. for
The reason that II js the official school
of two strong Churches in Western
oregon, and is supported by the fam
lies of these congregations for the
Christian influence II throws about the
lbsent boy or girl intrusted to its care.
There is room in Dallas for the
academy, and the High School, and ,
he College. The Observer would like /
o see all of them supported and built |
lp until Dallas shall be known far ;
nd wide as an educational center. as /
veil as a business and manufacturing 1
enter We cannot afford to lose one 7
f them. Nor can we afford TO lose i
NY other useful institution that Is I
to the prosperity of Dali
as and to the welfare of its people, I,
Dur town will go forward or back y
Tard. II cannot stand still. q