The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-06-06
TO THE CITIZENS AND TAxPAY

\
DISTRICT.
We. the Board of Education OF this
schoul district. having noted in the
last issue of the Diamond Drill a sug-
gestion that the affairs of this district
are possibly slated for attention by the
County Taxpayers Association, desire
TO issue the following statement
4 We are not only ready for. but
earnestly solicit an investigation from
"A to n" OF the conduct OF affairs of
/ this district What the article says
about the outside mining companies
having raised the question of wisdom
in expenditures probably has basis OF
truth You would scarcely expect any
other attitude from those who have
large financial interests here but no
children to educate. The facts, how
ever, as CLEANED, are that said associa-
tion members are not half so much
concerned about this matter as are
some Of the chronic mischief.makers
and sore head knockers of our own
community. The Secretary of this
school board, who is also Vice Presi-
dent of the Association referred to, is
absolutely sure that no such instruc-
tions have been issued to any member
or agent of the Association. Rather
the members have. expressed them
selves as being in favor of good
schools and any other really necessary
public improvement. Their avowed
aim is TO economize where practical
and avoid extravagances, not necessi-
ties To this end they have suggested
Offering their assistance and advice
wherever and whenever il may be
needed and desired.
While the knockers alluded 20
may not be worth the serious con
sideration of the sober minded, yet
they, like the venemous serpent, of
ten, poison the minds OF those who
wish to be right, II is these rights
minded citizens whom we especially
desire to be in possession OF the facts
involved
One of the undercurrent suggestions
not appearing in the Issue of the Drill,
but emanating from the same source,
is that 1t is not wise and necessary TO
maintain such good schools for the
masses consisting so largely of chill
dren Of foreign-born parentage The
-. =. ...hA 80,
do or wealthy can afford TO send their
children away to school after they
finish the eighth grade and that the
other classes have no right 10 be
specially concerned or do not avail
themselves of their present opportuni-
ties While il is true that many do
not take advantage of a high school
education, yet there is large middle
class who do appreciate the high
school and who are very DESTROYS of
giving their children all the education
possible but who positively could not
afford 10 send their children away for
schooling Moreover, the children of
this class are as apt and capable ~
those of the well.to.do or the wealthy
and often much more appreciative of
their opportunities.
Now, this Board has ever acted
upon the principle that all children
in America, the so.called land of
freedom and equality, are born with
certain equal and inalienable rights,
and first among these IS the right to
liberal education as means of in
surfing intelligent citizenship and pre-
pairing for an independent and success !
tul livelihood II in any way we have
Iuisjudged the temper and wishes of
our constituents, we should be glad Of
an open expression to'this effect. We
do not tor a moment believe. however,
that our parents and taxpayers gem
orally would counteuance the thought
of dispensing with the poor man
college his only opportunity of a
liberal fundamental education for his
children, namely the public high
school
Moreover, we would like TO call che
attention of our citizens TO the fact
that Of the large sums of money ex-
pended for school buildings and equip
ment in this district during the past
three or four years only small por-
tion has gone for high school purposes
On the contrary, we have advocated
and acted upon a principle quite dis.
tinct from that OF most of our sister
cities We believe that childhood is
the most susceptible and formative
period and that these little people of
the first eight grades are entitled to
surroundings and opportunities equally
convenient, sanitary and artistic with
those for the high school According.