Year: 1862

EuD1c SCHOOLS.


We take pleasure in calling the attention
of our readers to the communication of the
Superintendent of Common Schools in an
other column of to-days paper. The let
ter urges the Importance of immediate ac-
ton on the part of the citizens of Walla
Walla county to secure the establishment
OF regular system of public education ;
and very appropriately suggests that the
present is beftting time to move in the
matter. The labors of the summer have
been followed by rich harvests and we'll
stored granaries. In the midst of this sea-
son of general industry, it could not per-
haps have been reasonably expected that
our farmers would stop the plow to give
attention to the subject of schools in their
various districts but now that their holi-
day season has come, giving them a tenn
pOrary respite, W e think it is not too much
to ask of them that they heed the sugges-
tions of the Superintendent and at once set
to work and build a creditatle school house
in every district in the county, and estab-
lish firm school system. The prevalence
of schools is the very best recommendation
of the enterprise and sagacity of people !;
and as measure of enhancing the real val
ue of any locality and rendering it desira-
BILE abiding place, none takes the precedence
over schools. Hitherto this subject has
been sadly neglected in Walla Walla coun-
ty, and it is time the error should be cor
rected. 1t may be said that the country
is yet new and that some of the settlers are
undetermined as to whether they will re-
main in the valley or seek more favora-
BILE home. If this is true, this class of per-
sons is SO very meager that it furnishes no
excuse for those who are permanently set
tied to remain longer Indifferent to a ques-
ton of enlarged importance, and permit
their children to grow up without the pri-
mary educational training absolutely indis-
pensable to youth in stimulating and de-
veloping in after life the higher traits of hu-
man character 1t is but small undertake
ing-one quicker performed than talked
about when once set in motion-for the
people of any district in the county to con-
struct respectable and comfortable school
building; and as the population increases,
it is simple matter to conduct school
and meet its necessary requirements. Pro-
vision, in the way of a general school fund,
has been wisely made in the statutes for
assisting the different districts in maintain
ing school when once establishes and
the fact that this fund has been thus far un-
appropriated is not very fattering COM
ment upon the educational interests of the
county. We trust the people generally
will take this matter in hand, and prosecute
it to a successful issue in every district.
Let no resident remain Indifferent on the
ground that he is not permanently settled.
Perhaps every one of this class has farm
which he will wish to dispose of if he leaves
the country. Depend upon it, the pur-
chaser, if shrewd man, will inquire
whether you have a school in the neigh
borhOod; and if you can proudly point to
comfortable structure reared for that pur-
pose, you may be sure the sale is half
made. The purchaser will pay for the
farm, settle down and send his children to
school and be contented man.