Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-02-08
pie are anxious to complete their work,


after which they nearly always return
to the farm and 10 success. Some are
tnere growing up to leadership but
many more are by their quiet example
e ing u helpful tone TO country life
a, i setting the pace for Others. Their
c7urse has given them broader vi.
sion vi life has taught them to depend
upon their own efforts OF land ss we'll
as of mind.
But how are we in Delaware county
to receive benefit from such schools?
Situated as we are amidst most favor.
able circumstances for such industries
We may we'll ponder establishing such
an institution. Seventy per cent. OF
our people are engaged in agricultural
pursuits. Their children are all with
In reach OF good schools, but will they
specially fit them for their calling.
Does public sentiment call for such
school? II 1t does can such an institu-
tlon be established? The first ques-
ton can not answer, but believe
that the sentiment will creep out in
some manner Sufficient to make itself
felt. We think it Is impossible to es-
tablish euch school. Section 2728
provides for county high schools and
tho few following sections leave 1t dis.
cretionary with the board to determine
the course OF study. A high school
giving special attention TO the training
OF teachers also furnishing an elemen-
tary course OF agriculture might be es-
tabllshed. Some special legislation
would, however, smooth the way and
make 1t easier to do the best work.
The county must. however, assume all
financial responsibility, for our state
now makes no appropriation. We
could, without burden, carry on such
school. Tho assessed valuation in Del
aware county ID about S6,000,000 To
build and equip tach g. school would
cost $1,000 The annual running ex-
penses would be. on the basis OF other
schools, $4,000 THE, In the aggregate
seems an immense sum. but when APP
portioned among the many tax payers,
dw,ndles to almost insignificance. A
tax Of two and one-half mills would fur
nish necessary ground and equipment.
A tive-sixth mill tax would provide
current expenses. Let us carry our
figures little farther; q person assessed
$1,000 would pay So cents extra A man
owning an average eighty acre farm
in Milo township would find his taxes
increased less than go cents. In Bremen
township the same amount OF land
would produce 81 cents extra tax. We
might bring the matter still nearer
home; representative farmer in Oneida
township. whose name shall not men
ton, would pay sl.04 extra tax should
Delaware county establish IN agricul-
tural school.
have given you the above figures
for your careful consideration. do
not expect that we will Immediately
pluage into something now hardly
thought Of, but again l say 1t is worthy
OF thoughtful consideration.
In addition to training farmers we
could successfully train our young
teachers thing Iowa sadly needs to-
day. Delaware county employed 25S
teachers last year. Almost 40 had
never taught before and more than one.
half had received no special training.
We believe the influence would not
stop with the boy or girl on the farm
but would pass to other callings. That
there would be q general awakening in
our rural school az our boys and girls
come under the influence OF an enthusi.
sstic, trained teachers.