Show K H II By Y ALBERT F. F I It Is astonishing what a people can do even rc when adverse circumstances circumstances' and difficult problems have to tobe tobe be met said a pr prominent educator yesterday esterday Take the system of Utah Isolated as the people were surrounded by savages who were at times bit bit- tel ter against the whites with drouth grasshoppers grasshoppers grass grass- hoppers destroying their crops and a a. bloodless war being waged and the loyalty of the people questioned ques ques- this Inaugurated a school system which would be a credit to any part of the United States Old records tell the story One chapter In iii one of the records reads It was was in 1875 that the territorial legislature made art an appropriation of to be paid annually for the support of 01 tile the common schools Gradually the qualifications of teachers were Improved unproved un- un proved the old log schoolhouses were replaced by more commodious adobe frame or brick structures and supervision was made more close and system system- Many of the teachers of the years between 1875 and 1890 1800 were perhaps even above the average of professional ability at the present time They were probably of firmer character greater Intellect and stronger Individuality than many modern teachers with more yea years s of 01 preparation behind them There was a vigorous vl vitality about their work that Is often lacking the schools have been better systematized system system- and while there Is a feeling of just pride In contemplating contemplating con con- th the present Improved condition of our school system it might be well to ask whether its period of 01 struggle and stress might not have dev developed devel- devel loped l- l I some things that we would better Jetter not disca discard d without careful consideration From to the only provision for the support support sup sup- port of schools made by the territorial government was the biennial appropriation of from to 20 annually But during this period taking Into consideration con con- the circumstances of the tle people liberal local rates were levied In 1878 a territorial tax of 3 mills on the dollar dollar- was provided which was con con- Tuition fees fees' were quite generally charged until 18 1890 O but the proportionate amount of revenue from this source very rapidly decreased since that date Provisions for a county tax for sch ol purposes pur- pur poses lOSS were first made in 1890 and at this time the legislature provided for the organization or of schools in inthe inthe the cities apart from the counties in which they were loc located ted Free schools that is schools were not established In Utah until 1890 That year under the law school districts were required to admit all pupils between the ages of 6 and 18 years ot of age free of charge However all districts were not organized and the result that In was those districts where organization organization or- or had not been brought about th the children received no no schooling or or else were compelled to pay tuition In some other districts II S II Prior to there had been a gr gradual d al but steady approach toward a free school system according to statistical records Until 1874 the public schools were supported by local taxation and tuition fees from 1874 to 1878 territorial appropriations also aided In 1878 a territorial tax of 01 3 mills on the r was levied an anil this was continued until 1890 1390 supplemented supple supple- with local taxation and after that year local I taxation with tuition fees added for those who came I from outside the district or who were under or over I I school age A |