Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-04-04

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and as they will represent any sum up to
half dollar they will be much more
easily counted than the dlminutive two
centers. We can see no objection to
trying them.-Mirror and Farmer.
5000
THE IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL LIFE.
The rural school question is one of the
liveliest topics today among farmers as
well as educators. Opportunities Tor
agricultural education have had a mar
Vicious development within decade.
Discussion about rural church federation,
the rural institutional church, rural
social settlements, and even experiments
In these lines, are becoming notices ably
freuuent The Young Mems Christian
Association has, its officers think, found
the way to reach the country young
man.
This marked awakening naturally leads
enthusiasts within each institution to
think that their special institution is the
one all-sufficlent force for preserving or
improving rural life. Ministers are say
ing occasionally that the church must be
the center of all the religious, social. in
tellectual and aesthetic life of the rural
community. Once in while an educat-
or insists that the rural school ought to
be the agency that binds together the
neighborhood with respect TO things
social and intellectual and progressive.
And now and then member of the Grange
seems to convey the idea that, given
strong Grange in every country COM
munltv, the whole circle of rural needs
will be subserved.
Now all these earnest men are partly
right. And it is most fortunate that
each institution has such ardent advo-
Gates within its ranks. 1t is further true
, that in many localities some one of these
institutions, when well developed, will
, be the leaven of the neighborhood. But
if we regard the farm problem as whole,
we must concede the necessity for well
balanced growth of all these institutions
the church, the school, and the farmers
organization-in order that the religious,
the educational, and the technical, eco
nomic. and political needs of the farmers
may be fostered.
: If we once acquire this broad view OF
e the rural social status, the most natural
question in the world is: Can we not
,. secure both the spirit and the form OF
|. cooperation among these institutions, sc
n that each may understand its true prov
o ince and appreciate the function of the
e others?
O The method of securing this federation
n of effort is not easy to foresee. 1t cal
d be determined only by trial. 1t must b'
). worked out in harmony with varying
n conditions. Some very general plans a
n once suggest themselves: % Let thu
, agricultural college in each state take thu
: lead in the movement, acting not so mucl
ii AS an organization as clearinghouse
n and 90 between. Let it direct confer
d ences on the subject, and seek to brins
d all who are interested in rural affairs int
d touch and sympathy. CD Have
n League for Rural Progress made VI
It of representatives from the churches
/. the agricultural colleges, the department
n of public instruction, the farm press
e various farmers organizations, etc. @
e Enlarge the "lIesperia movement" whicl
now seeks to secure cooperation between
Is school and farmers organization, b,
N including in it the church.
n 1t is perfectly obvious that the frs
it and most important step in bringing
l. about federation of rural social forces
ID to educate all concerned TO the desirabi
il ity of such a federation-to SOW the seed
ut of the idea.-Review of Reviews.
nj 1000
y. vERMoHT's SERVICE TO NATION AN
y PARTY.
u If the opposition of Senators Procto
r. and Dillingham; of Vermont, Senator
81 Spooner and Quarles of Wisconsin, an
at Senators Allison and Dolliver of low
~ has put quietus upon the ship subsid
'ii bill in its present form, at least for II
Il. present session, in spite of the fact thu
aI it has passed the senate, as is believe
1t according to Congressman Fosters int
Ie' view, then it becomes evident that OF
re Vermont senators have helped to pc
'o- form a service that should be Apr
ciated by the people of the whole cou
'er try as well as by the great majority
sn the Republican party.
Gu There are few great ship owners al
7e' certain interests along the seacoast tn
ny will not feel cheerful over the sidetrac
ali ing of their pet scheme to realize han
nu some sum from the national treasur
'iu They will say that the senators who o
pOSeQ tnlS ralu on lne treasury were II
ie. in line with the party, but they kno
VI that it cannot truly be called par
ns measure when Republicans of nation
VI prominence and influence like Allison al
we Proctor and Spooner dissent and hay
10y the cot peration of men like Dillinghal
ST. Dolliver and Quarles. 1t is recognize
red of the fact that the ship subsidy bill ca
me not be regarded as "A party measure IN
yed ensures the bill so hard shedding in t
- lower branch of congress as to ma
postponement of its consideration thel
of seem advisable AZ this time.
M As we understand the situation no O
jections are raised against the sectio
are providing for appropriations for enarg
all steamships that /" shall be construct
lie? with particular reference to prompt a
all economical conversion into auXila
We naval cruisers, ana according to pla