The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-01-02
IooNsoL1OAr1No RURAL SCHOOLS.

On this subject Mr.. J Montgomery Gambrill.
in an article in the Baltimore, Sun says:
"The solution Of the rural school problem is
found in consolidation. by which it is possible to
substitute for small. ill-equipped. inefficient
schools scattered over large area few strong,
well-equipped. centrally-located schools OF the
best urban type. to which children from dis
lance are conveyed at public expense. Although
stubbornly opposed at first what reform has not
been n the plan has steadily won its way, ard Is
now provided for by law in IS of our states
Maine. New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachu-
sets, Rhode Island, Connecticut. New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Wis
consin, Iowa, Kansas. Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota and Florida. Moreover, so far as
the sentiments of the people have been ascer-
tanned and published, it is found that in no case
where the plan has been adopted would the peo-
pie want to return to the old system. Under
these circumstances it is difficult to see how the
system can be called 'Utopian dream dt has
been so styled in Maryland.) Nearly 10 years
ago State Commissioner Stockwell, of Rhode
Island, said that 1T has passed the experimental
stage and become recognized and advocated as
one of the best schemes of modern times. and
the same thing has been-said after practical ex-
"oniy a few specific examples of the hundreds
available can be given here. In 1902, without
explicit warrant In the State law, and after
bitter fight before the Board of Education, three
small districts in Durham county. North Caro-
lima, were consolidated. The results are stated
in an article in the Atlantic Educational journal,
(RichmOnd, Va,,) of January, 1903: Little how
els replaced by beautiful new school-house,
average daily attendance doubled, efficiency of
the work enormously increased. the passing Of
opposition and the awakening of hitherto un-
known enthusiasm for education. Extensive
experiments have been made in Ohio. AS an
example of the popular attitude, the people of
nm fownqhin honda hufI0 eight
room, steam-heated, brick building with every
modern convenience. and this building was for
mil rsnote from raiIroads or towns State
Commissioner COrs0n. of Ohio, reported in 1896
The expense of schooling the children has been
reduced nearly one half, the daily attendance
has been very largely increased, and the quality
of the work done has been greatly improved
AaaWs 81 Lake county, Ohio.
A larger percentage of children of school age
enrolled; hardness ceased and irregular attend
ance was reduced; pupils were better classified
colds and other diseases from wet clothing and
wet feet disappeared; pupils were under the
care Of responsible persons from the time of
leaving home until their return and improper
conduct between home and school thus ceased
better school-rooms, better supplied with ap-
paratus better heated, lighted. ventilated, etc.;
the interest, enthusiasm and confidence attend
ant on large classes were gained better teachers
and more thorough supervision secured !. much
more economical (per capita cost reduced from
SIG to $lO:4Sl A similar summary appears in the
Texas School Journal for February. 1908. which
aQus rev points OF interest, and another In the
outlook of December. 1902, which mentions the
opening of high school course to rural pupils.
These two summaries are not based on results
in any one state, but on those in all states that
have adopted the plan.
For plan Offering so many advantages peo-
pie would surely be willing to pay more money,
but as a matter of fact this is not necessary, for
the cost of maintenance is nearly always re-
duced. Quotations to show this have been made,
but one or two others win be given. A district
in Nebraska saved $40 a month Duval county,
Florida, closed IA schools and transported 176
pupils and saves more than $500 annually by the
plan; an Iowa county saved $4S6 year by clos
ing four schools; and, to quote foreign exam
pie, Victoria, Australia. closed 24l schools at q
saving of $4,000 annually. In cases where the
gross cost has increased it will usually be found
that the per capita cost per month has decreased.
would it not be well, then, for the Legisa-
ture of Maryland to authorize any county desir-
ing to do so to adopt this plan? If the system
can produce so many advantages, If it can give
to the country children all the advantages of
urban schools without exposing them to the
dangers of the town, If it brings the high school
to the country boy who otherwise would not en-
joy it, and saves others from mourning expense
and leaving home-if it does all this and at the
same time costs less after the initial ex-
pense,) can any possible reason be assigned why
Maryland should not adopt it and enjoy its
advantages 2,s