Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-07-08
Mr.. Whitield's s Letter.

AS is doubtless generally known fol
the last three years | have waged 8
systematic campaign for better
schools. A large number of countie.
and new towns have levied taxes fo,
better schools, and the state has
largely increased its appropriations
for education. While a distinct adj.
vance has been made along all educa.
tional lines, our schools as now equip
ped are wholly inadequate to do the
work OF training our young people
for successful competition in this goth
century work.
In order that | might do my work
lntelligently, I have carefully studied
the educational conditions in other
states; as result of these investiga-
lions am convinced that unless we
take a decided step forward our chill
dren will not be prepared to compete
successfully with the children of 9TH
er states where so much better op-
portunities are given for their train
ing.
We live in an entirely different age
from that in which our fathers lived.
1t is now the age of complex machin-
cry, steam and electricity. Training
is almost everything, brute force
counts for hardly nothing Unless we
give our boys much better preparation
chan their fathers had, theyseannot
nope to do one-half as we'll in the
ierce competition of this new age.
The building of the new capitol af-
lords a striking illustration of our lack
If that training necessary for the COM
petition of this complex age. The ar
,hitect, contractor, skilled artisans,
artists, and in fine, all those who did
The highest forms of work and receiv-
ed the large salaries were imported
while our people did the heavy work
FOR day wages.
The greatest problem Of the state
hat which overshadows all others, is
The proper training of our children for
.he complex life into which they are
80 soon to enter. Mississippi is state
-ich in natural resources and we have
The finest blood in the world. What we
most need is to train this blood for in
;elligent mastery over these rich re-
sources.
Our people are now hopeful for bet
,er things; all desire better roads, i'm
proved methods in agriculture, diversi
led industries, higher Christian citi-
.enship and all other kindred bless
ngs. But how are. we to obtain themY
The one great lesson we must learn
s, that they will not come themselves,
hat they cannot be conjured into ex-
stence, that the enactment of legisla-
ion will give them to us, but that we
,an only get them by the proper train
ng Of our boys and girls.
The necessary basis of this training
IS good common schools; we not only
need more schools, but better schools;
We must have better school houses,
,onger terms and stronger teachers.
AS the head of the Mississippi school
system, I appeal to the thinking peo-
ole of the state to give me their CO.
operation in this work. 1t is my inten-
ion to continue the agitation for bet
Ter schools. During the month of Au-
gust wish to have the various coun-
lies of the state canvassed along these
lines, and I appeal to the ministers,
lawyers, teachers, and to all people
who can do work of this kind to offer
their help. I would be glad to have
.sitizens take local interest in this
campaign; great help can be rendered
by making arrangements to meet
speakers with conveyances at the
train.
Please write me at once stating how
much time you can give to this work
and where you can meet engagements.
wish as soon as possible to prepare
complete schedule of appointments.