The Forrest City times., 1893-04-28
THE NEED OF THE HOUR.

he crying need or the hour Tn For rest City is d good system of public schools. The question of ways and means is one which must be met and settled by the people as a whole, led. to great extent. by the schoolboard- men who have been selected by the voters of the district to shoulder the responsibility. That so much valuable time has been wasted is to be deplored; that further postponement of the vital question would be criminal is patent to every thinking man and woman in Forrest City. TIE TIMES will keep this subject prominently be- fore the community until the schools are provided, or until the people have expressly decided that they do not de- sire and will not have the schools.
 The question of cost should not en- ter into discussion of the school prob lem. Under existing cirumstances schools would be cheap at any price. The matter has been allowed to drag along in a slipshod, happy-go-lucky manner, until the people have about reached the conclusion that there is no way out of the difficulty, and they have resigned themselves to what they con- slider the inevitable. This is wrong, and such false ideas must be overcome. Each one should be ready and willing to make some reasonable sacrifice of time or money. We need good school building and must have it. This is the first step necessary. How to se- sure it is the question which is ex- erclslDg most of our taxpayers. If properly managed the burden will fall lightly upon each, and each should de- termine to bear his share cheerfully and uncomplainingly Do what we may, the responsibility cannot be evaded. It must be met now, and not post poned for settlement by those who come after us.
 And when the building is provided the most important consideration will be1n securing competent head for the school. This will cost no more than is already paid a principal. Good capable men can be had for the salary offered. And then the parents of pu- pills must hold up his hands or he will be able to accomplish nothing. He must be allowed sufficient authority, with the power to enforce it, to main
 
 tain strict discipline, which need not be too rigid in order to be effective The fault of poor school government in the past few years has rested largely with parents. The children have done pretty much as they pleased, without Tear Of consequences. At home they were taught the teacher was, in effect their natural enemy, and obedience and respect were not due him. If the government of the schoolroom did not suit them, they were allowed to re- turn home and remain there for the most trivial causes. A simple repri- mand was cause for open rebellion, in which the parents always took the
 
 his violatiorof the rules. We have case Ill mind: Several girls (calling them selves young ladies') went into the schoolroom and took their seats with cloaks aud hats on. The teacher asked that the cloaks and hats be removed during school hours. These young la dies met his congratulations with the impudent retort: Whats 1t to you?' Instead of spanking these youngsters for their vulgarity, they were credited with having acquitted themselves very smartly. The solution of this dfficul. ty is very simple. Give the teacher the privilege of expelling or thrashing such unruly pupils and the difficulty will he overcome. Such characters are Il detriment to any school, and will iD- eyitably result in it's ruin if their "smartneSs" is not checked.
 Attention is called to these facts merely to show that the teachers have not been altogether, although they have been largely, to blame. New flrce must be given to school govern ment, and the parents and guardians of the community must accord their unqualified aid in accomplishing the ends desired.
 The annual school election will shortly be held. Three uew directors will be chosen in this district. \ mass