The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1903-03-15
AGRIcULTURISTS SHOULD DEMAND BETTER EDU-
CATlONAL ADVANTAGES.
Continued from page q


and where farming is to be taught instead OF proes-
sonal' courses in the of agriculture; and the
question might here be raised had the expenditure law
ished upon our Estate Agricultural Colleges been sub
divided and schools established throughout the state
where agriculture taught and not AVOIDED would the
Morrill, and funds not have been vastly more bene
fcia and the real of the grants securedF Fur
Their I'm this very County School pan there
is chance for some phanthropists to make en-
dowments that would benefit the masses far more than
great gifts institutions that are already topneaVy
with euch exhibitions of benefcence'
am the opinion that had we, at the beginning OF
our industrial development about the middle of the last
century, established few national colleges similar 10
our present state institutions but with definite OBJECT
in view and that training of instructors for sys
tom of schools such as we have mentioned, and made
attendance such schools compulsory, the wealth. Oh
the nation would be equally distributed TO-DAY;
some of the knoty problems which are now demanding
speedy solution would have been heard or ana
we would not be lauding men of wealth for simply
returning the nation of the wealth they nave
obtained from Natures great storehouse.
wager some ready to say that we could not nave
afforded such system of education at that time How
about that Whitman county wild oat tax and all other
tribute paid ignorance that has been mentioned? Real
knowledge in nation is always sel1-sustanlhg whle
ignorance is Just surely q tax But we must TURN
from our past and provide for future welfare Inc
Germans wisely say: Beginnings are always difficult
but the proverb delays dangerous, should be our
watchword in this matter and we should dct anu pesh
before this meeting closes
This county King the most populous In the state
has an enormous wild oat crop though the variety
is not the grows in the Paouse wheat nelos the
right sort of industrial training would smother much
of this destructive growth. Other counties could sup
port school on Wisconsin plan, and still others
might combine in support of two or more
Shall we the taxpayers and very foundation OF the
state institutions. go before the legislature and
have our claims to generous recognition cut
down to a ptance shall we make use Oh up-Io-
date methods and go before them with SOMA como"to
ton determined to flight it out this line, not only
talyo sail ntp
to do away with opposition? 1t sometimes looks to
me as if agriculturis party such as we nnd IN Ter
many might the surest to enforce our demands
political party seems about the only organization
to which the majority of farmers will stick and again
say we must stick together can no longer trust
to the benevolent impulses OF those we nave aoWeu "
consider themselves superors
That we shall meet with opposition from some quar-
tiers there is no for doubt but can you show me
class people anywhere possessed OF hgher oroer ol
courage than is found the American farm? And fur
thermore large number of journalists OF the hlgnest
class as also all trueminded thinking citizens not only
recognize the Justice Of practical educaton III
ral districts but they also that the ultimate wei
fare of the nation requires it. But do you blame these
peope for taking active steps for our re1eI Wheh
we are at sufficiently dissatisfied with paying
such high tribute to ignorance as TO actVey reVolI
against it.? believe it to be entirely possible 1or us
to get recognition now if the right steps taken
Now if better education is needed and is also possible
can we allow ourselves be careless and even cow
annually to institutions that at best only an indirect
beneff to "the man with the hoe and not demand
hearing?
MD T not know from a most intimate acquaintance