Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1905-12-29
CONSOLIDATION.

CONSOLIDATION
| In common with all other schools
the rural schools must have "a a
teacher. (2) a house. 90 apparatus
and ca funds Each OF these topics
would afford a fruitful theme within
ITSELF and Of course only brief com.
ments can be made in so short a pa.
per as this may be. Cd Who is the
teacher who has not the thought of
the monumental ignorance and sub.
lime virtues of many a teacher presid-
ing over the destinies of young Amer
leans? But since many Of us began
as such teachers ourselves (and may
perhaps as yet advanced but lit
tle) we look upon them with pity
and forgiveness and attach no blame
70 them for their existence. The point
is mentioned to emphasize the fact
that there are yet a few communities
in Texas where education and training
seem to be considered as positive dis
qualifications for a teacher The law
undertakes to prevent This evil by re-
1uiring examinations for teachers GER
tificates, and that safeguard no doubt
affords much protection. but the pro-
fession OF teaching is nevertheless
crowded with ignorance and unfitness.
Before any rational enlargement of our
rural schools is possible. some effect
ual remedy for this defect must be
found. Unfortunate influence under
which our schools have been brought
in some localities. including the in
fuence of the artful designer who Is
still abroad in the land and who plays
upon the prejudice of ignorance. OPP
crate to hinder the needed reforms. |
t2l The house. schools. tabernacle |
1pon the earth. afidt Without A. temples !
for indwelling. they vanish and cease
tn be, but II does not seem that some of
them are very choice in the selection
Of an earthly habitation: many no
BILE. self-sacrificing teacher. and beau |
tiful band of as bright and deserving
boys and girls as ever graced a school
room. gather from day to day in dis
graceful shanty. which offers less COM
fort than the intelligent and humane
farmer provides for his dumb beasts.
An accurate description of some of our
school houses would so closely APP
1roximate the incredible that only
hose having experience with the act
nal facts would accept it with full be-
ief There is no excuse for such con-
litions. and there is every reason why
hey should not exist. The district
chool house should be thing of beau
y. and especially designed for com
ort and health. II is the childrens
lone during greater part of the
ormative period OF life. Sanitary
conditions should be scientifically
dapted to the promotion OF health
While elements OF beauty should APP
cal with responsive effectiveness 10
be aesthetic nature Cleanliness. or
erly arrangement and neatness are
Pictures and motto
ards on the wall have a good effect
'lants and flowers may be successfully
mployed. Any style OF attractiveness
nat enhances the beauty of the build
lg or grounds is worth while. In all
lses should abhor ugliness as nature
bhors a vacuum. These matters re-
lire attention.
(3) Apparatus-A carpenter adver-
sing for patronage. who would eX
lOll a SUN I'll lNfl anu a bAUtil oNN II
his only tools. would be hardly
rerrun with orders. The fact of his
leapness. financial straits. illustriOus
mily connections. religious. political
social alignment. would have but
tile weight The man who wants
house built takes a business view
the proposition. and employs an
'chitect purely upon his merits. No
an is willing to sacrifice a thou
nd dollar business interest in order
crafty a ten-dollar charity or so
al desire. The teacher is builder
Il OF material and perishable struc-
res. but OF spiritual and immortal
ifices. In proportion then as his
,rk is greater than the carpenters.
lich is infinitely. should be chosen
tn due regard TO his merit The
lcher. like the carpenter. must have
Dls TO work with. and in both cases
plan In theory is 10 he executed in
actice. 4 carpenters plans can not
imposed upon the people as fin
led product; but many a teachers
stract plan. vanished up with good
.entiOns. an apology or two and fat -
ing promise. is dealt out 10 the PEG
as a mature result Such work
mere sounding brass and tinkling =
nbals. But II the carpenter should
required 20 work without tools I
, blame for poor results would not 1
laid upon him. unless he had failed
explain that certain tools were nee l
AIRY. and that proper work would l
impossible without them.
There are many things that every !
TOOL should have and some things
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