The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-09-02
MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.
COMMISSIONER GLENN SAYS THE
STATE SYSTEM NEEDS CASH
Better Teachers and Better Schools, He
Thinks, VIII Check the Exodus From
the Farms to tho Cities.

Athens, Ca, August 90. -(SpecIal)-Com
missioner Glenn was in Athens today, and
in consultation with The Constitutions
correspondent. gave out a plan which he
will submit to the general assembly at
its meeting In october.
Said Mr.. Glenn; II have always thought
that Georgia should have better common
schools, but never in my life had prop
er conception OF that need until 1t be-
came my official duty to travel over the
state and see exactly what was being done
by the schools. The task must surely
have appalled, my predecessors, and GER
tain 1t is that they or anybody else could
never accomplish the highest and best
results with the present appropriation at
hand.
II find that there Is a steady movement
of the people from the farms 10 the
cities; that the farms are not looked af-
ter as they should be; that they are de-
clining in value, and that agriculture in
Georgia is suffering from lack of atten-
ton. / may be mistaken, but | am firmly
convinced that the prime reason for this
movement TO the cities is the fact that
men realize that in these times education
gives a man more power than anything
else in this world, and the farmer has
become unwilling for his children to be
brought up where they VIII have no school
facilities. Hence. the very best element
of farmers is either contemplating leaving
the farms or has already left them. To
check that tendency to congresate the
population OF the state I'm the cities, |
believe the safest and surest way is to
provide better schools for the country
districts.
Again, the northern people are emf
grating to Georgia. The first question
they ask is about the school facilities.
know where "A tract Of 5000 acres of land
was purchased by colony OF immigrants
on account OF the community afforling
good school facilities. ] also know where
anSequally large tract was rejected on ac-
count of lack of school facilities These
people look above all other things to the
school system OF the state.
II want to see the timo come when
schools will be run six months consecu-
lively. FROM November LIST to May LIST. the
season when tho farmer can best spare
his children from the fields. This will
obvate many of the difficulties now pres
ent. Then. too. It will be absolutely neces-
sary to have better schoolhouses and more
of them, and above all more money to
pay the teachers.
ITO get good teachers. TO have more
schoolhouses to have better schoolhouses
to pay to teachers better salaries-these
are few OF the problems that confront
Georgia in an educational way. To all of
these | have a resolution which ] believe
VIII be accepted by the people OF Georgia
To get good teachers. the State Normal
school should be fostcrcd and patroniZed.
That part Of the trouble is already settled
il the teachers viii take advantage OF
the opportunities offered them.
THE last three propositions are settled
by the question of money alone. That
tho state needs more schoolhouses and
better schoolh houses is evidenced by the
fact that many country schools have to