Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 2.djvu/77

Rh When we reflect that during the 60's and early 70's there were always several of these private schools in operation in Eugene, it is not surprising that the public school advanced with such slow and painful steps. The lack of unity in educational effort was deplored by the thoughtful, but the true remedy was not applied. Instead of bending every effort to the advancement of the public school, the people were advised to promote unity by supporting one private school as against all other schools. The Journal says, March 9, 1867, "There are at this present time in operation in Eugene City no less than five schools, employing six teachers. The average attendance to all of them is only about one hundred and thirty-five scholars, a little over twenty to each teacher, not too many for half the number of teachers if properly arranged in classes in a well regulated school. It would seem that one or two schools well sustained would accomplish more for pupils and teachers than half a dozen doing only a starving business. The experience of the past should suffice to convince us that the policy of thus scattering our patronage must be fatal to the project of ever building up in our midst a permanent institution of learning." At this time the Journal was earnestly favoring the Henderson school.

This institution closed its first year June 28, 1867. In the fall it resumed, now with Miss Kate Andrew as assistant. On October 31 they had "fifty-nine pupils, ranging from scholars in the sciences to those just beginning with the elementary branches." All the later notices go to confirm the suspicion that the school was not as successful as in the preceding year. When the first term closed in December it had "seventy-five or eighty pupils." The second term is reported as "well attended," and highly successful. But at the close of the year Professor Henderson arranged to take charge of Philomath