Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-11-16

- ~ v,ey,y, irsible. II should also be3
ohrervsi fhnf tlae sponsors FOR poIit-
lfcaI meetfngs should agree beforehand
Ito put the school house IN clean and
proper order after the meeting and be-
fore the next regular session Of the
$3.50 SOCIAL USE BEsT.
.rhere Il no one use OF commun-
litv center more clearly connected with
! the public welfare than its use for So
ciaI purposes. It adds to the health.
10y, gladness 70 community life. binds
together the old and young. neighbors
and friends. Political and sectarian
differences are forgotten and Kindness
and good neighborship prevail.
THE use of the schoolhouse for these
purposes from Monday till Friday is
very likely to be great disturbance
to the morale of the school With the
best intentions on the part of every
body, the schoolhouse, the next morn
ing after meeting often looks rike a
pig pen, and teachers and pupils alike
are greatly disturbed. Besides, il chill
dren are present (and they ought to bel
the late hours and the excitement in
terfere with proper study at home and
AT school the next day. On the first
five nights in the week, counting Sun
day, the schoolhouse ought not to be
used except under the most serious
circumstances and then ample provi-
sion should be made for its proper res
toration before the next day.
but on Friday night Saturday and
Saturday night, and for proper uses
on Sunday, its use for social, as well
as educational, religious and political
purposes is quite proper.
DANCE QUESTION.
The one thing on which a school
board or community may split in it's
use for social purposes is the question
of dancing. And this question has a
double or perhaps triple aspect
First, there is the question of its
effect on the school plant. Does 1t in
volve screwing up and screwing down
the school desks and the removal of
these to one part Of the schoolroom
with the consequent disarrangement of
books. location Of desks. etc, and the
possibly delay of the next session of
school while order is being restored?
Frequent resetting Of desks soon ruins
floor. Does it involve too great risk
in the marring or defacing of school
property, theft of books, etc? Does 1t
involve added risk from fire? Is 1t
possible to make ample provision for
chaperones and for care and protection
of the plant?
MAY CONSIDER REACTION
Second, while considering proper
community uses, it is proper also for
the school board to consider the deac-
ton upon the school itself and to what
extent, If any, 1t intereferes with the
success of the children in their school
work
Third, the split both in the board
and In the community itself will of
ten come in the attitude toward this
form of amusement or recreation. 1t
is quite clear that the personal atti-
tude of trustee on religious or po-
litical questions ought not to control
his decision In granting the use of the
schoolhouse for community meetings.
Is 1t not equally clear that his person.
al predictions ought not to control
in social matters? In other words.
there ought to be weightier reasons
than the personal likes and dislikes
which govern his action as a public
officer.
After all, it is highly important
that, In the matter of community CEN
ters, the community stick together. If
there are strong differences of opin-
ion, would 1t not be well to get to-
gether and thrash it out in friendly
conference and yield to the majority
view. 1t is better to yield a little
to yield a great deal-than to have
any sort of bitterness prevail If the
community largely wants 1t, and few
do not, let the few stay away. If a
few want it but the larger number are
against the proposition, let the few
arrange for their entertainment at
private houses. In any event, let ev-
erybody protect the schools interest
above ALL"