The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-12
IDEA MAKES A HIT
EDUCATORS ARE ENTHUSED OVER
PROPOSITION FOR STATE
FAIR EXHIBIT
ITS AGITATION rs SPREADING
William G.. Smith Says State Fair
Should Have an Educational
Building for Elaborate
County Displays.

The proposition to make an educational
exhibit one of the permanent features of
the state fair. which was mentioned in
Il he 0 e last week, has been re-
ceived with universal and enthusiastic
approval, and there is every reason to
believe that it will be made a part Of
the state fair programme hereafter Will
liam G.. Smith, the well known Mime
sofa educator. now editor of the Mime
sofa School Journal, was at the capitol
yesterday and he referred to the subject
with much enthusiasm.
Il believe in this project heartily and
emphatically and will guarantee that it
has the unanimous support of all the
educational interests Of Minnesota 9th
er states have long since made their ed
uca1onal exhibits a permanent and prom
inent feature of both their state and
county fairs. [ hope that within very
short time the state legislature will pro
vide for an educational building at the
state fair grounds. I should like to see
Minnesota take the lead in making such
a building the leading feature of the fair
Why Shouidnt it be? If the yearly exhibit
ton of butter at the fair makes better
dairymen, why should not the exhibit
ton of school work make better school
men II the state fair Is admitted to
exert a good influence on the breeding of
hogs and cattle, why should it not exert
a good influence on the training of the
boys and girls of this state working in
lates farmers to improve their poultry
sheds, why should it not stimulate our
educators to improve their school houses?
If it is good thing for agricultural in
educational interests? If a fair is an
inspiration. why should its inspiration be
denied to pupils. teachers and school
boards? | hope the agitation started in
favor of this project will be widespread
and earnest. Between now and the first
OF June, | shall visit great many of
the counties Of the state and I SHALL add
my voice in favor of this splendid idea
wherever 1 go Minnesota's educa-
tional work has Won high hon
ors in several worlds fairs
Once started, it would take but a short
time before every county in the state
would be interested and the pupils of our
rural schools and city schools would be
imbued with a spirit Of friendly rival
rry and eager to do their best work that
their school and their county might
show a high standard when it's work was
brought into comparison with the work
of other counties of the state. BY all
means let US take this step, and make
our educational exhibit a permanent
feature Of the fair 1t will prove great
benefit TO our schools and to the state
State Superintendent J. w. Olsen sad
that, while he had not given the subject
much thought, he was inclined to believe
that it would be a splendid thing.
Several county superintendent have
expressed themselves in favor of the
scheme and will add their influence to
the movement that seeks to secure con-
sideration from the fair manag cement
One of them has pointed out that it
would not only interest pupils in school
work, but that it would interest them
more in all work exhibited at the fair.
1t would give them a more personal in
tereSt in the fair, and as a result they
would acquire greater knowledge Of the
various industries of the state.