The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-12-11


propriety, be passed, and the teach
ers may give their influence to a
purer paper. 1t would indeed be
rare case that the teachers of n coun-
ty,heartily supporting the local paper,
could not have sufficient influence
with its editor to keep its columns
clear of impurity.
SO far as the impurity of city pa
pers is concerned, about all that
teachers can do is to circulate only
those that are pure.
An editorial in the Mobile Register
presents the proper standard of pur-
ity for public papers. 1t says:
"There is no reason why newspa-
per should not be as free from impur-
ity or indecency as the daily CONVEX
satiop of refined Christian family.
The newspaper should be a publica-
ton which father might place in
the hands of his daughter,or broth
er in those of his sister; in short,
which should enter any household
without the necessity Of preliminary
examination. The plea that it must
be mirror of all things going on in
the world, things base, vile,and dis
gushing, as well as things pure and
honorable,-is the shallow sophistry
of prurient inclination. 1t will not
bear examination, as it would not
bear being carried out to its full ex-
tent, even in the eyes of those who
urge it.
1T is no answer to say that news
papers in general fall far below the
standard we have indicated. 1t is
too true that they do but this proves
only that their standard is debased.
That it is so is, partly, at least, the
fault Of the public that tolerate it"
We come, in conclusion, TO consid-
er how our teachers are to keep the
people posted on what the schools
are doing. On this subject / will
once more quote from the american
Joutnai Of Educdtion:
keep up column in the county
papers. Keep the people posted. The
farmers want to know what corn and
wheat and potatoes are worth; how
much is produced. They want to
see results all along the line 1t is
right that they should. People want
to know what progress the children
are making in their studies, what
they get for the money they pay.
1t is right that they should know
this. Publish this progress in the
columns of the county papers, and let
the people know what the schools are
doing.
Let the people know that it costs
more to hang man, to board and
lodge man in the prisons, than it
would to teach him the duties and
responsibilities OF American citizen
ship, and how to get an honest liv
ing; that it costs far more to main
tain system of prisons than of ed
ucatiOn.
"Let the people know that school
facilities add to the value Of prop
erty; train the pupils to industry, to
obedience to law, to order, to econo-
my, to thrift, and they produce more
and save more.
Let the people know that educa-
ton promotes industry and lessons
idlenees, that it awakens and intensi-
fies desires, and thus incites and i'm
pels man to effort to secure the means
of qualification; that it touches both
factors in the great law Of wealth,
and that ignorance dwells in novels,
but Intelligence changes the rude hut
to the cottage.
"Let the people know that the uni
versal and undisputed testimony is
that the hand has the highest skill
when guided by an intelligent mind
that education improves the condi-
ton of the laborer; gives him great
er thrift and economy; lessons his
tendency to vice; increases his social
and political influence, and otherwise
prepares him to meet the obligations
and duties of manhood.
All the foregoing facts will appear
by wide comparison of an ignorant
and unintelligent people. But we
should also let parents know that the
schools are producing more than
mere wealth and prosperity. They
are imparting culture, Christian cult
Incorporating our young people for
the enjoyment of a higher degree of
happiness, purer pleasures than can
possibly be enjoyed by uncultured
people
No teacher need doubt the willing
ness of the newspaper to aid the ed
vocational work. The teacher can
find no other friend so influential, and
SO ready to aid him in every possible
manner. In fact, the public press has
long been the leader of this great
movement,-the education of the
masses.
Col.g Moore, in an Grafton before
the Editorial Convention of Missou-
ri, expresses beautifully the senti-
ments and purposes of the public
press. He says:
"The education and elevation of
the masses in every department of
knowledge will be the special purpose
Of the newspaper. 1t will be check
to the powerful, and an aid to the
lowly. 1t will be stronger than fac
tions and parties, and of necessity
| indeDendent in the broadcast sense of