The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-01-17

Such a centralized school would
so IN become the social, literary and
musical center of the entire commu
nifty, and result in great inspiration to
teachers, pupils and patrons.
If for financial reasons more rigid
business method should be required
the cost of the experiment might be
closely estimated before establishing
the central school.
For instance the committee might
ct out the contracts to the lowest re-
sponsible bidder for conveying the
children of the six school districts tC
and from the union school. In this
way they would escape the criticism
of the man who attempted TO build his
house without first sitting down and
counting up the cost.
However find that more recently
in some of the States the patrons pro.
vide transportation at their own ex'
pensc. Indeed, it would seem that the
proper methods of providing and pay
ing for the transportation of children
to and from the central school is yet
an open question. In one State cir
Gle Is drawn around the union school
one mile from the school house and
another circle is drawn two miles away.
The children living within the first
circle provide their own transportation,
or walk; the children living between
the first and second circle receive 81
from the public fluid, and the children
living without the second circle receive
each three dollars per month.
In conclusion would say that the
consolidation of rural schools just as
any other great movement can be very
greatly encouraged by constant, intelli-
gent discussion of the suhject-agita
tion of the question until astrong put
lie sentiment is worked up in favor OF
Union schools.
A strong demand for centralized
schools could he created Ivy pointing
out the numerous advantages which
would result from the establishment OF
such schools. Lounging hy the way
side, truancy, tardiness, indecent and
obscene language to and from school,
would be in a-great measure avoided.
Instead of sitting in 4 poorly heated
and ill-ventilated rooms, with feet
dampened hy the rain and snow and
slush, the children would he comforta-
bly, protected, and educated in build
ings where sanitary conditions are
m."lern and complete.
Likewise with the telephone, free
rural delivery of mails, and high school
advantages in reach of every farmer,
the farms themselves would be en-
hanced in value, and the practical
question, how to keep the boys in the
country would be finally answered.
1t is now safe to claim that consoli-
dation of country school districts is a
recent feature of educational advance,
which has passed the stage of expert
ment and has come to stay. Eighteen
States now have law allowing the
transportation of pupils at public ex-
pense, and thirteen are now availing
themselves of this privilege. These
represent about one-half of the popula-
tion of the United States, as follows:
Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas.
Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska. New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont,
Wisconsin and Florida.
1t having been thus shown that con-
soli,l.tion is feasible, it follows that
the Union school begins new era in
educational history, and now the sturdy
boys and girls OF the rural districts
may share the advantage of city cul-
ture without heing exposed to the
temptations which exist in great CEN
ters of population.
Thanking you for your kind atten-
ti"n, | will close Ivy adding that the
only problem now awaiting solution is
how. when and where 10 introduce this
new feature with a minimum of cost
and waste and with the greatest possi-
bic benefits attainable for the welfare
Of our State.