The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-15
AN IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED.
The Responsibility Resting on the Direc-
tors Of County and State.

The Responsibility Resting on the Drec-
tors of County and State.
II has been said. and truly, that the
chief duty of generation Of men is to
properly train the next generation, as
it is parents duty and highest privi-
lege to care for and properly train their
children.
Before long the school directors of
this Commonwealth will be called upon
TO take step that will decide. in
great measure, the public school interests
of the state for years to come.
II remains to be seen whether our
directors in the country mean to use the
S5,OO0,OOO of appropriation as was
intended. We are aware that certain
element clamor for reduction of local
taxation d NE erpensc Of he public
school system, Il system that has for its
prime object the betterment of youth
in every possible way. TO accomplish
this we must place competent teacher
in each school room in the state. Our
last Legislature appropriated S5,000,OOO
for school purposes. The trainers of the
bill never intended that one penny of
the appropriation should be used to de-
crease local taxation. when the mill
rate is already below what IL should be
to provide good schools. We are in
favor of Il reduction of taxes. and the
cry about taxes may be abated by reduc-
ing the cost of conducting state and
county business in other respects.
Would it be right to attempt to retrench
at the expense of system that has for
its object the welfare of the future
citizens of the state?
God save us from any such economy.
IL would be unreasonable and unjust not
to make an advance i'm school condi-
tions. We feel fully satisfied that the
appropriation was made for the purpose
OF bettering school affairs in general:
to provide better buildings, free text
books, more ample accommodations,
longer school terms and better salaries
for efficient teachers. Let us not forget
the blessings that we daily enjoy. In
our national life there are many things
for which we should never cease to be
thankful. Among these national bless
ings, perhaps the highest among them
is our "Public School System" The
common schools of our country are
essentially II national institution, they
ought to be dear to all the people,
respected by all, and sustained by all.
Is 1t not true that they are the only
source of, public prosperity?
Our public schools, then, need no
defense; they have never needed
defense. Our public schools were insti-
tuted with well defined purpose, and
they have grown to their present state
of efficiency through the watchful care
and unceasing efforts of the noblest
minded of men, and women, inspired
not by hopes of wealth and fame, but by
patriotic love OF country and an unsel-
fish desire to elevate man and push on
the car OF human progress. Whilst
much has been done to advance the
cause Of education, there yet remains
much to do. At no time in the history
OF the state was there such an oppor-
tunity to give the case of human
progress push forward. All eyes are
turned upon those who are to determine
whether Pennsylvania is to lead in a
cause that is grand and noble.
1t is our earnest prayer that the
directors may fully appreciate what a
responsibility rests upon them, and may
they determine upon policy that will
place the schools of Pennsylvania far
in advance of where they now are.
Respectfully,
w. III. STAMEY.