The Forrest City times., 1891-03-13
Needed Reform.

If these figures be true they make q very poor showing, for at a glance we see that not half of the pupils entitled to the benefits of the public schools were ever inside the school room at all during the past year. Out of school population of 4.655 only l,195 received any instruction whatever leaving the remainder ta, S60) to grow up in ignorance. the mother of vice. Just think of 2.S60 boys and girls grow ing up in St. Francis county who do not avail themselves of the benefits of the public schools. Think of the possibii- ties for veal or woe of each one of these. Think of the influence they must all ex- ert in the near future in all matters of social polty. There they stand-a young army of children destined to become the future men and women of our country; destined some day to take their places in the battle ranks of life. to fight for the right or wrong; destined some day to rule in matters of social and political affairs! Can ignorance rule intelligence? No most emphatically, NO, It never has--it never will Talk about political corrup- tion, social dcgredation or business chi canery; talk about the avarcious office seeker of "a fair ballot and fair count" and all the questions that aggravate the peace and welfare of our community. These are but natural consequences fol- lowing natural law, and always will be so until intelligence practical intelli- gence- shall reign in the hearts and minds of the people. And when will this practical intelligence ever be acquirede Can 1t ever be when there is an excess of children who do not attend our schools over and above those who do attend? I he excess is OH the wrong side, and on the side of ignorance. The difference be- tween 2,S60, tho number not attending school at all, and l,795. the number in at tendance, is l.065. If this number is to continue to shun the schools can we ever hope to progress in the scale of enlighten- ment and nineteenth century civilization? Never. Why the greater majority of these a,s60 boys and girls were not in school during the past year we cannot an aver. There must be some cause. surely. Some person or persons are to blame, for children do not, as rule, go to school of their own free will and choice. They must first be interested in school, and school must be interesting to them. To make school interesting. pleasing and at traetive is the imperative duty of society. The parent must see that his child goes to school and receives the instruction and training for which the schools are main tained.
 As free moral agents, each individual Is personally responsible for the condition of all affairs in his community. No inter- ests are more important than those of popular education. If the future is to be- hold greater achievements than the pres ent and to demand better men and women than the present. then the rising genera ton must be educated; they must be fitted for life. That duty and grave responsi- bility rests on those living in the present. Society demands that the oncoming fu- ture men and women must be educated; the present men and women must do 1t. If, thesefore, the future Is to find the present generation fully prepared in head. heart and hand to become noble. useful and honorable citizens of a free country, then let every child in our county be edu- cated and trained in our public schools. If our present facilities arc not adequate to the demand, then make them SO. By all means let intelligence predominate. Let the great majority of the children re- ceive the fullest possible benefits of our public schools, instead of growing up in ig- norance and untutored in the principles of noble manhood and true citizenship. The free public school is one of our most characteristic institutions, and Is the crucible in which the great body of our young people are t6 be fused into homo Rpnpous pnasa of Arnarican ,its~a,s