Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/237

 High School Legislation In Oregon 215 Undoubtedly the most effective piece of work done in the cause of public secondary education during this early period was that of the committee appointed in 1880 to in- vestigate the charges made against the Portland schools and particularly against the high school. This committee was appointed at the school meeting in March of that year. The schools were being subjected to a vigorous attack led by Harvey W. Scott of the Oregonian. The situation had, therefore, attracted a great deal of atten- tion so that the report of the committee, when it was finally presented, gained wide circulation and was read with keen interest. The evidences which it showed of having been prepared after careful, first-hand investiga- tion, its obvious sincerity, and the firm hand with which it swept aside the most frequently repeated criticisms, resulted in settling for all time the question as to whether or not the high school was to continue as a part of the Portland school system. It also had its effect in creating a more favorable attitude toward public high schools throughout the state. It was printed in full in the bi- ennial report of the state superintendent through which it came into the hands of all the members of the state legislature as well as of many school people. This force- ful defense of the Portland schools and particularly of the high school covers eight pages of the state superin- tendent's report and would be read with interest by any student of Oregon's educational history who desires to get the atmosphere and smell the powder of the Portland school controversy of over four decades ago. 24 The growth of the Portland high school was very slow during the first few years of its existence, on account of the general opposition to it and the social stigma that was attached to attendance at a free high school. 25 The enrollment was forty-five on the date of opening in April, 24 Fourth Biennial Report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion of Oregon. 1880. pp. 64-72. ., , ^Oregonian. April 13, 1919, Section 1, p. 14. The private school students taunted those who attended the public high school by calling