Smyrna times., 1899-06-28
CHESWOLD.
Anniversary of Bethel NJ. E. Church-Ex-
citing School EIectiOn-LOcaI and
Personal Mention.
Special Correspondence % he Times.

CUl0X SCDCOl EIeCtlOU-LOCdi anu
Personal Mention.
Special Correspondence TO the Times.
CHEswOLD, June 26:-Cheswold is
aspiring to have Fourth of July cele-
bratiOn of her own this year. Sub
scriptions are being received for dis
play of fireworks at least, toward cele-
brating our natal day.
The game of croquette is now popu-
lar with us as pastime.
Our school election held last Satur.
day was again of the exciting character.
AS was the case one year previous, two |
factions, the "high priced and the |
Glow priced or progressive and non
progressive sides, each concentrated |
their forces in the fight. The ballot |
for a commissioner, S. Brady Cooper |
being the candidate of the progression |
lists, and J. H. Bishop the non-pro-
gressiOnists, resulted in tie with both |
factions expecting to win. For the
first time probably in our history, the
annual school meeting had reached a
deadlock. The event produced gen.
eral hustling by both sides in the fight.
The ladies of the district who under
the new constitution, one year ago
supported a progressive school, were
| quickly brought to the scene, while
the second ballot ordered by the chair
man, r. NJ. Cooper, was being pro-
ceeded with, resulting in safe ma
| jority for S. Brady Cooper. The pupils
of our district have grown in number
proportiOnate to the growth of our
town and also other portions of the
district, and the teachers records
show an enrolment of 80. Many tax
payers (some esteemed, respectable
and well-to-dO citizens too argue that
one teacher, if good, active, enter
prising one, could do all the work and
tighten our tax rate. While those fav-
oring the two teachers (and some of
them with limited means), argue that
it is impossible for one teacher to do
justice, when there is so many pupils.
Unfortunately, our district is small in
territory, and it also unfortunately
situated as we are (and there are other
schools in this county similarly situa-
ted) there is not more just and equal
distribution of the school fund. There
are many schools i'll this county with
an enrolment of % or less pupils and
an attendance of one dozen or less
pupils, who get the same dividen
under the present law regulating its
distribution as we do with sufficient
number of pupils to comfortably fill
two rooms. In other words, the school
with the 25 enrolled, receives about
So. "a per pupil of State aid, while we,
= with 80 enrolled, receive only about
5 SO. go per pupil. Our school commit
e tee doubtless all feel they want to dc
e in the peculiar situation what is right,
q but there must necessarily be some
1 embarrassment and great responsible
: ity while performing the various du
!. ties devolving upon them. Let us live
: in hope that legislation will some day
t in the near future partially relieve u
b financially in our struggle to maintain
d a school up with the times. 1t woult
2 seem suicidal upon our part as a com
l. munity to sacrifice the education O
!. our children for few dollars. Pub
l. lie schools were ordained for publ
e good, and it is just as much our dut,
II as parents or individuals to look afte
/, the education of our young as it is t,
10 protect our homes.
e PERSONAL Mr.. Will Boyd and sis
n ter, Miss Annie, have been visitin,
4 friends near Felton.-Mr. Will Hal
Of per, public school teacher at Bay View
le is visiting his sister, Mrs. d. +
" Boyce. Misses Laura Barcus an
le Sadie Ford are visiting friends
,n Philadelphia and Wilmington. Mis-
Sc Miriam Sheppard, of Camden, has bee
ne visiting Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Gardnt
e. and attending Bethel anniversary e,
SIS ercises. DIR. Thomas, of Philadelphia
as and Rev. p. HI. Rawlins, of SeaforC
or former pastors, we're entertained
,ic Mr.. and Mrs. r. M. Cooper durin
er Bethel Anniversary o. X. Griel
r. late principal of our school, with h
II, sister and her friend, spent Sunda
DIS with Mr.. and Mrs. 9. w. HAZEL. i