Year: 1859

In addition to the important consideration
presented by our correspondent in yesterday g
issue, In reference to the condition Of the
North Western District School House, we as.
certained the following facts:


The room occupied by the primary depart
ment was originally designed as a hall or
breathing space for the inmates Of the other
parts Of the house II has been closed at both
ends and contains forty two seats. There is Of
ten an attendance here Of from fifty to fifty five
scholars. II has been sscertsined that the chill.
dreu in this room will consume all the oxygen
there in little less than three hours, or
short Of single morning session, and were IL
not for the imperfect means Of ventilation by a
single window on one side Of the house,
through which all the light and air which en- d.
ter the room gains admittance-for the door
has to bo closed constantly to prevent annoy
ing the other departments; and the reeesses du.
ring the session; resllts to the health and lives
Of these tender subjects would be disastrous =
As it is, many Of the children thus confined can
not continue their attendance longer than few
days, without suffering seriously Indeed, all
emerging from the school room show in the
languid step and purple cheek, the poisonous
effects Of carbonic acid gas, which they have
been compelled TO inhale during their three
hours Of confinement. In addition 10 this, the
healthy are forced to inhsle and re inhae the at.
mosphere that has been inspired once or more
times by those whose lungs are in state ofpar.
tial or complete disease thus. contribu-
uting additionally to the contamination Of the
air in the room. Experience and observation
have amply demonstrated that in the manufac.
turing and metropolitan districts of Europe and
this country, that these are among the most
prolific sources of disease among children,


Now, il our baker should furnish to our chil>
dren aud families bread from which the nutri
tous element had been previously abstrscted,
how soon would we rise up in rebellion against
such an inquity; and yet this would be nothing
worse than is practiced upon the inhabitants Of
the N. W. District Of this city, who send their
children to the primary department of this
school. The fact is, the inmates Of the Ragged
School Of Fifth st., enjoy better privileges for
health and ventilation than the son or daugh
ter of the opulent citizen of the N. W. District,


To night the city council will be waited upon
by committee of the Board Of Education,
asking the issue of Bonds, for the erection Of a
building suitable to the requirements and de
mands of the educational interests of this part
of our city, and the council will be recreant to
its trust if it fails to grant the request Of the
Board of Education. 1t is urged by some that
our city expenses are at present by far too great
That is just the ground upon which we would
urge that the prayer should be granted. More
money will be required to hire extra rooms out.
side of the present school houses TO aecommo-
date the scholars for the next year, than will
pay the interest on the bonds. On general prin
ciples, we always argue in favor Of an ample
expenditure for educationl purposes. To those
who oppose this sentiment I'VE would refer them
to the annals of penitentiaries. jails, prisons
alms-houses and police stations. Nine'tenths
of the unfortunate inmates of these institutions
are devoid of the commonest principles Of edu
cation.