Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05

the criticism often made that our
schools as now conducted are educat.
ing our boys out Of sympathy with
their environments and are making
them dissatisfied with their surround.
ings is, In a large measure, true. That
our boys are manifesting more and
more a disinclination TO remain in the
country, every one will admit, Mis-
sissippi is a great rural State, and the
future happiness and prosperity of the
people will be indissolubly connected
with rural life. II the State is to be
great, we must make our great rural
life attractive and remunerative. II is
quite possible to make country life in
Mississippi almost ideal life. First let
us make comfortable and beautiful our
country homes and utilize intelligently
the great diversity OF resources OF our
magnificent soil and salubrious eli
mate; let us have our farmers trained
to take up in a scientific way the prob
lem of drainage, fertilization and rota-
ton OF crops. raising of stock and poul-
try, and, in fine, be able to adopt new
er and better methods on the farm.
Then let us have good roads over
which we can carry our produce to
market, by means of which we can
avail, ourselves OF the opportunities
Of culture that will be possible when
we can meet together conveniently.
Have a complete telephone system,
and free rural delivery where each
family can get its daily paper on the
day Of publication. These are not i'm.
possible things. We can have them,
but they cannot be conjured into exist
ence. If they are realized, they must
come as a result of proper education.
The hchool is the key to the situa-
ton. Our material and social affairs
cannot be any better than are our
schools. The only way that we can
hope to get these things we so much
need is to teach our children to think
beyond that which we think, then we
will have them as naturally as wa
ter runs down hill. Our schools should
be organized and equipped to do this
work. II necessary we should com-
pletely overhaul our school system
without hesitating to cut out and add
on. But it is said that all this will
cost money-taxes will have to be in.
creased, etc. That is true, but is only
the same road that those who have
most nearly realized this Ideal have
travelled. And there Is no other way,
Besides, are not the results worth the
sacrifice? Is 1t not the best invest.
ment that can now be made? Will
1t not bring us large returns in wealth,
power and happiness? Can w afford
at this time when the world Is NOV
ing so fast to sit down and let the
great procession of progress pass by
us? Should we not qualify ourselves
to take part in the worlds greatest
accomplishments? Is 1t not a solemn
duty and u greatest responsibility
to train our children so that they can
give their best lives to their future
families, to their country and to God?"
The above is a vigorous plea and
one based wholly upon q realization
of the facts of today and the POSSIBLE
tiles of tomorrow. In order the bet
ter to understand Mr.. Whitfeld's earn
est desires in this matter, We believe
it but just to him to give thus wide
expression to his views as to the rem
edy for the State of things now exist
ing.
after careful study of this propo-
sition, | am convinced that If such
schools are to be had the State must .
help the rural districts, and | would
respectfully recommend that where
small villages or rural communities
will voluntarily organize themselves
into districts of not less than sixteen
square miles, and containing not less
than $50 educable children, the power
of local taxation be given them on
| condition that they provide a suitable
house, elect competent teachers, levy
a local tax, and maintain a high school
for not less than seven scholastic
months each year. To encourage the
formation of such districts and the or
ganization of such schools, | think the
State should make an appropriation
for the first year of not less than $780,
10000 to be distributed to these dis
tricts in amounts within certain limits,
equal to those raised by taxation. or
sums donated. Those districts should
also receive their part of the regular
State appropriation direct, just as do
the separate school districts. After
two years the principals of such
schools should be required to have pro-
fessional licenses, and in the meantime
a special examination should be pro-
| vided by the State board of examiners
for them. Such a scheme will not on.
ly provide rural high schools. but will
encourage by voluntary action, the
consolidation of two or more weak
schools with low curriculums, into a
strong school of two or more teach.
ers, and a higher curriculum"
1t was the intention of the writer
to present to the children of our rural
schools who read these columns, an
interesting program, for "Arbor Day."
or some similar occasion, when the
children, with their friends, il so de.
sired, might work together for the
adornment of their grounds and school
house, This must be put off to another
week, however, as most of the plans
and programs before mt were prepared
in the North. where not only the o m
ditions, but the schools and the chill
dren, are different.
There is just one thing, however,
for which | enter a plea here, in ad-
vance, And that Is, that the children,
In seeking vines and flowers to beau
tify their surroundings, be taught the
value and the beauty of our own floral
treasures, and shown their superiority
over flowers Of other climes. How
much wiser it would be-and how
much more natural mot to speak Of
the greater beauty)-if our children
were persuaded to see the wonderful
charm in clumps of ferns, almost hid
den in some dim, messy nook; or the
free beauty in the waving plumes of
our wild azaleas or the delicate charms
of the m%agically sweet wild crab. And
wherein North or South, or any
clime-is anything more lovely than
the delicate ropes of the yellow jas
mine, from which continually swing
out unnumbered golden bells, as they
sweeten the earth and the air about
with their delicate fragrance? Is 1t
possible, do you think, for us to find
in any or all Of the gorgeous flower
catalogues anything half so lovely as
these, with the carpets of wild phlox,
or dainty %violets, which sprinkle the
turf like flakes of snow? ! cannot
think so-and then, besides, these are
our very own-and our children should
learn to love each one and give it fit
ting care.
We Need Your Help.
1t may be that our readers, judg
tnn frnn, nrnNiOua InttnrC fhink II nur