Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-23
CONSOLIDATION OF
RURAL SCHOOLS


Consolidation is the order of the day.
1t prevails in almost every branch OF our
body polite. In it's mighty grasp It holds
the commercial world and dictates 10 a
helpless people. 1t Yields over the Worlu
of politics a scepter strong ana unyleiu-
ing In its gigantic folds are held, as
powerless and submissive as a lamb, the
professions of almost every name. In
its aggressive strides revolutions are
wrought and achievements WonderIuI
accomplished. Its power is unlimited anu
its possibilities incalculable. AS an en-
CINE of destruction it is merciless ana
complete; of helpfulness, blessing ana
a benediction. In the hands of zeal con-
secrated to public veal it becomes
wealth of blessing; vice versa, a curse
as black as Egyptian darkness.
And now comes a demand for the con-
solidation of rural schools. And the De
mand is the natural offspring of coIldi-
tions. In this, as in other exigencles,
necessity is the mother of invention.
Existing rural conditions unfavorable TO
the proper development of the public
school work must be comprised and rem
dered effective; and to meet this demand,
consolidation, with it's rich promises or
relief has been brought prominently 10
the front and urged by leading educators
as a remedy par excellence. BY reason Oh
ton of wealth the cities and larger towns
possess conditions that make possible
systematic concentration of educational
forces and an economical subdivision o.
labor that produce the best results, results
that are hopelessly unattainable IN the
country districts in their present and,
what might be denominated. normal con-
dition. City consolidation is not the result
of force or legal enactment; it already
obtains. and its rich advantages are Sc
cured and enjoyed without friction, with
out effort made possible only by favor
able conditions which cannot possibly ex-
list in the country naturally.
Because It does exist naturally in popu-
lous centers, no principle is violated in
consequence of city consolidation. In the
realization and enjoyments of its benefits
no obnoxious paternalistic methods are
practiced to become menace and stumo-
ling block TO the sensitive consciences OF
burdened tax payer.
Not so in the country. Movements in
rural districts looking to the securing OF
conditions that will make effective con-
solidation a possibility, is met with. blind
opposition from about every quarter. The
fact that the necessary conditions, If Sc
cured at all, must be obtained through
artificial methods and by departing from
old beaten paths, and at public expense,
is ground sufficient to justify the bitterest
and most stubborn opposition on the part
of the average citizen. And, strange as
1t may seem, no amount of argument ia
voring consolidation will for single mo-
ment be considered. 1t is urged that the
children of our forefathers got along
without all this tomfoOlery and ours can
do without it," They are blind to the
promises of improved facilities as result
of consolidation. They refuse to consider
the Increased thoroughness as to results.
They close their eyes to every argument
that would show a stronger and more
efficient school system in consequence
of a judicious consolidation of schools.
These they minify, but the fact that con-
solidation is secured through the use OF
methods which they consider obJectiona-
BILE is magnihed a thousandfold. And
why Objectionable? Is 1t because any
standard of propriety or principle Will be
violated? Is II because any methods Will
be inaugurated more paternalistc than
those already underlying the free school
system? Nay, verify. Not these; but. re-
duced to its last analysis. 1t is because
the old ruts must be abandoned, new
methods inaugurated.
What unafvorable conditions do we ind
in rural districts demanding a change
that would be remedied by consolidation?
Most counties have too many SCHOOLS
some of them twice too many. As re-
suit of this the following unhealthy condi-
tions obtain:
l. The enrolment in many instances is
too small for the best work. Nothing Is
more devoid of wholesome results than
a small one-teacher school lacking in in