The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-24
-ownship High sohools.

! Prof John Hamilton, Deputy Secre-
tary cf Agriculture aud director OF farm
ers' institutes, recently read paper ut
the annual meeting of the State Board OF
Agriculture on the subject of "The Tow n
I ship High school, subject that has ex-
cited great discussion nj the farmers in
siituies all over the Slate. In this paper
Prof. Hamilton calls attention to the fact
that the country boys are ilockiDg to the
city because they do not have at home
the educational advantages that by right
/ belong TO them. To-day says Prof.
Hamilton, "in Pennsylvania out Of the
one mil IN pupils receiving instruction
at public expense, over six hundred
thousand are being Taught in the country
schools, and the majority of this great
multitude are compelled to leave home
and all of its beneicent influences in or
der to gain that training which the State
ought to furnish at their doors. Twenty
FIVE or thirty years ago in almost every
county of the Commonwealth, one or two
or more preparatory schools were found,
and many children could get their train
ing near their own homes; but the old
academy is gone. and no institution is
here to take Its place. As consequence
emigration TO the cities from the country
has greatly increased In the last decade,
and unless arrested will doubtless end in
this country, as 1t has in every other of
which history tells, in the decline OF agri
culture and the consequent destruction of
the State"
"Wh is the remedy for this radical
defect i'm the system of public instruction
as organized and administered in Penn
sylvania to-day?'' asks Prof Hamilton.
''The answer is not far to seek. Organize
a graded school in every township, to
which all graduates from the ordinary
district school can go. Call it the town
ship high school, aud open its doors to
every boy and girl within the township
limits. and give opportunity to every stu
dent TO get such an education "a will Iii
him for the right performance OF his dut-
les as a citizen 10 the State and for the re-
quirements of any business that he may
feel called upon to select As life pur-
suit"
After presenting figures aud facts to
prove the necessity for the township high
school, the great good it will do and the
small cost at which it can be maintained,
Prof. Hamilton concludes as follows:
Public sentiment is aroused, and rural
people are anxiously awaiting the time
when some safe and practicable plan that
will thoroughly educate country children
at their homes, will be proposed and car
ried into operation by the State. Some
legislation in this direction has already
been effected and another bill is now pre-
pared. 1t remains for the Legislature of
this State to still further exercise its wis
dom and lis power, and pass such legiSla-
ton as will give effect 20 what has been
done, and make such additional proyi-
sion for the work and its continuance and
support. as Will meet the needs of the
great multitude of country people whose
welfare if not existence, is at stake. Such
4 system Of public education as has been
outlined, properly established and sus-
tanned. would constitute the foundation
for a more complete and enduring civili-
zation and national development than
has heretofore existed, and would protect
the future State against political and So
cial disturbance that ignorance and SUI
persti;ion are always ready to promote"