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public interest. The poor man who only pays a poll tax 

 gives his share as truly as does the millionaire. The systeija 

 has manifestly dignified the school in the esteem of both pa- 

 rents and pupils, and quickened the educational spirit of the 

 whole people. Every tax-payer, having contributed his part 

 to the support of the schools, feels that he has a right to look 

 after his investment. The details of our public schools are 

 better known to parents than are the plans of private schools 

 to their patrons. As a result of free schools, the great majority 

 of the town reports concur in saying: ''There has been a de- 

 cided advance in the number at school, in regularity of attend- 

 ance, and in the manifest interest of the people." More than 

 ever it is felt that the schools belong to the people. In patron- 

 izing them the poorest parent is proudly conscious he has no 

 leave to ask, no patron to conciliate, and no alms to beg. Every 

 body pays something and feels that it is a good investment, 

 and one which justly entitles him to its advantages. 



In the past ten years the increase in enumeration has been 

 14,757, while the increase in the number registered in public 

 schools has been 20,438. The number in private schools was 

 first reported nine years ago, and the increase in that time has 

 been 1,526. If it be assumed that the number ten years since 

 was the same as nine years ago, — which is very nearly correct, — 

 tben the increase in attendance in both public and private 

 schools in the last ten years is 21,964, which exceeds the 

 increase in enumeration by 7,207. 



