Quite as much praise should be bestowed upon the citizens of Tacoma for the excellent public school system they have created as for the wonders they have achieved in the construction of a substantial city in so brief a period. Public schools have been recognized as one of the fundamental necessities of society throughout the west generally, and wherever the nucleus of a city has been planted, the public school system has formed part of the seed. Especially in Tacoma is this regard for the educational welfare of the rising generation exhibited in a marked degree. Six school buildings have been erected, engravings of which are given on the opposite page, and these will soon be inadequate to accommodate the children applying for admission. In 1880 but one hundred children attended the single school. By 1884 this had increased to four hundred, to five hundred in 1885, and now, in 1888, no less than fifteen hundred children are enjoying the advantages of free instruction in the six school buildings. The schools are thoroughly systematized and graded from the primary to the high school department, and are under the charge of a competent superintendent, ably assisted by a large corps of teachers. The enterprise, liberality and good citizenship displayed in thus providing promptly and adequately for the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of school children, is an evidence of the energy and intelligence of the citizens, and explains much that seems wonderful in the phenomenal growth of the city. [Illustration: SOUTH SCHOOL. WEST SCHOOL. FIRST WARD SCHOOL. EAST SCHOOL. CENTRAL SCHOOL. NORTH SCHOOL. FARRELL & DARMER, ARCHITECTS. PUBLIC SCHOOLS--TACOMA] RAILROADS OF THE TERMINAL CITY.