The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-07

ditional room, will be required If this
small army OF pupils are to receive the
instruction for which they have prepared
themselves in the elementary grades.
To the superficial observer. this over
crowded and inadequate condition of the
institutions for public instruction may
seem regrettable ana rnwelcome. To those
who haze the habit of looking below the
mere surface Indications it is one of the
best signs of the times II shows, for in
stance. that the increase in the number
Of pupils is at least in keeping with the
the growth of the population. II likewise
indicates that even ihe optimistic End en-
ergetic authorities in charge of the public
school system have underestimate the
demands that would be made upon it. and
that they. therefore failed TO provide for
the present conditions. The increase in
the public school population has appar-
emily exceeded their greatest expectations.
To the thoughtful citizen. however, this
Is a s@urce of qualification. Nothing could
be more desirable. more indicative of
healthy ambition among the future guard
idNs VI iut ndlltll Audl AAH S4tatNA iffi+IH1'
of public school pupils. 1t signifies an
augmented enthusiasm for the pursuit OF
knowledge II gives promise of higher
civilization through the elimination OF
ignorance. the mother OF superstition and
the enemy of progress. While ii is not an
agreeable condition TO have ambitious
youngsters interrupted in their educational
Ill 70 for
that can be easily remedied. Since the
security of the Commonwealth rests
largely upon TIE common intelligence of
its constituents. the enterprise Of increas-
ing school facilities until they are able
to take care Of every child applying for
admission is one that demands early at
tention.
The wise men OF present and recent gen.
erations have been emphatic in their ap-
peals for encouraging desire for knowl-
edge. Education is the seed of progress.
of better citizenship. Of greater achieve
ments in every field that contributes TO
the glory and solidiiy of the Republic.
There was a time when dynasties rested
upon the ignorant strata of society; repub
lies require a different foundation for
their upbuilding aud perpetuity. Out of
the common schools will come the govern
ing man, the useful citizen, the unit of the
body polite of the future and it behooves
every municipality TO provide that the
early educational training shall be OF the
best possible character. and that none
shall be denied the opportunity to Sc
cure it.
Few persons realize the immense num-
bers of The public school population. The
statistics of 1928 show that in the ele-
mentRry or primary and grammar grades
throughout the United States there were
registered 14.5Ss.O 96 pupils. The secondary
grade. embracing high schools and semi
naries. included 459.sl3 pupils. the col
leges 9.72S. the professional schools S.096.
the normal schools 1926. the reform
10. 395. and the schools for the blind S.744.
The importance of maintaining this edu-
caticnal system under the direction of the
States in a most efficient condition needs
no argument. More than fifteen millions
of young men. women. and children are
receiving their instruction. mental and
moral. in these institutions. Not many
years will pass before they will be called
upon to accept the responsibilities of gov
ernment aud the future character of the
State will depend largely upon the train
ing they are now receiving.