Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-04

| sometimes appeared who reasoned
that because so much work might be
done. in eight years by the mythical
average pupil that all pupils should
| do that much, and none should do
more; that exactly one-eighth of it
should be done annually. one-ninth
of one-eighth Of it monthly, one-fourth
of that weekly, and precisely one-fifth
OF onefourth of one-ninth. of one
eighth of the whole should be done in
each day, even if the victim of such
procrustean madness had to take his
books home and study half the even
ing.
Some Home Attractions.
THE country school has at least
escaped that epidemic. Some of them.
not many. are housed in well-lighted.
well-warmed and ventilated little build
ings. Some have a library, a muse
um of curiosities collected by the chill
dren themselves from all parts of the
country by correspondence with other
children, in exchange for things found
in their own observation-disclosures
even from other countries-some even
have pictures. workshop. a vegetable
garden. flower garden. trees and a
live teacher. The country school that
has all or most of these things, and
can maintain them. keeping the school
open for eight or nine months year,
would better let well enough alone.
They that are whole need not a ply
sician- Ii is the weak, districts that
must be strengthened.
"One county superintendent sug-
gests a source of weakness that cannot
be questioned. Five schools enrolled
exactly ten, thirteen schools fewer
than ten. and four schools fewer than
Ave pupils. Curiously enough. his
nearest ncighbor suggests that 1T will
Re joyous day for the children when
distance can be annihiiated and sew
.ral of these small schools consolidat-
ID into an efficient organization For
the benefit of the small schools, in
Insanitary school houses. without IL
5rarics inside. or shade trees outside.
and all districts unable to maintain
eight months school year-six
months Is not enough recommend
legislation authorizing the payment of
public school money for the transpor-
:ation of children to and from the
schools. when the people of any district
80 direct at an annual school election
or at a special school election called
for the purpose of voting upon that
question.
How Ii Works I'm Massachusetts.
Such law is now in operation in
l3 states. Massachusetts began to con-
solidate weak districts and convey
children to school &c years ago. The
| growth of the plan in popular favor
| may be measured by the sums expend-
ID for this purpose during the last
years-s24. 1882 in 1SS9-90 and s127.-
! 1922 in 1S9S-99.
such illustrations could be multi
piled. The plan worked out. The
heaith of children is improved by it.
because of the diminished exposure TO
stormy weather. School attendance is
| increased. both in regularity and in the
number of pupils. Hardness and tru-
| heightened. Better teachers are en-
| oloyed. Teachers can be better paid.
asked one little fellow of 10 or II
| years how he liked the union school.
| oh. it's great he said, to be where
something is going on. And. perhaps
il is from this widened circle of &C
quaintance. extending beyound the
children to the whole community, that
one of the great benefits is TO be de-
| rived
| Isolation Richards Growth.
1.-THE isolation of small schools-ten
pupils or fewer is not favorable to in
| tellectual. moral and social growth
The young mind grows by contact with
those of near his own strength and by
the influence of stronger ones. If this
plan both improves conditions and
saves expense. as / firmly believe it
does why no. make il available for