The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-11
By Mrs. J. D. Matlock.

Our schools cost enormously, to be sure, but scarcely more than our penal in- stitutions. It is more economical to spend our millions toward the preven- tfon of crime than for the punishment of criminals. The question of ex- pense should be secondary, the first and dominant question being What do the children need?" Education into good citizenship with high ideals will be genuine economy, no matter what the cost. Professor Mann says: You can no more repress the spirit of play with safety than you can tie down the safety valve of a boiler and keep up the fires. A child Is a miniature en- gine with its fire constantly burning, producing intense activity of mind and body. It Is the want of proper outlets for this neutral desire for amusement that drives the young to morbid, vic- ious, and unhealthful indulgences and habits" It Is a terrible thing for school children to have no other places to play than on the sidewalks and in the streets where trains and street cars pass. This condition exists in some of our Alabama cities! Whenp few prec- ious lives are sacrificed. the school boards and people will realize their criminal neglect, and in the meantime a vital part of the education of many Is left out. It Is on the school grounds that the principles taught in the school room are put into practice; 1t is here that elementary problems of society and of citizenship are worked out through the independent action of the child in play. It. Is here he learns re- spect for law and the necessity of It. Furthermore, the child Is entitled to knowledge of. the beautiful that he may feel its influence and know its pleasures. School grounds should be adorned with trees, flowers and grass without restricting free play, and the
 work may be so done as to bring rich returns to hand, head and heart. The | teachers will teach more effectively, and the pupils will study with happier spirit and with better results.
 No village or rural school need have | restricted or unattractive grounds The | price of the land Is not so high as even
 to seem prohibi.ive. Trees, flowers
 and vines may be had for the asking
 and witl the expenditure of a little
 energy and care on the part of teacher
 pupils. and interested friends, the
 school grounds may be made an ideal spot.
 About three centuries ago Francis Bacon wrote: God Almighty first planted a garden, and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. it Is the greatest refreshment to the spirits Of man, without which building and pal aces are but gross handiworks." And Comenius said: "A garden should be connected with every school, where children can at times gaze upon trees, flowers, and herbs, and be taught to en- joy them" Many European countries require that gardens be connected with elementary schools, and Europe has about 100000 school gardens of all kinds School gardening has been | tried only to limited extent in tae United States, but in almost every in- stance with most delightful results to the entire community.
 | Much Is being done throughout Ala
 bama to improve educational condl- tions The people realize more and more that what we spend for the bet | torment of our school system is our
 best investment, that we get rich re- | turns in the increased efficiency of our people. in the diminution of crime. and in the addition to the happiness of life The State gives thirty cents out of a possible sixty-five cents of her reve- nues derived from direct taxation for
 public education a greater per cent
 than is contributed by any other State | in the union from its direct taxation Twenty-three counties of the State have voted the local tax of one mill The poll tax goes to the public schools But all this can be used only for in-
 struction and supervision. It is left to
 the individual communities to supply
 the places where this instruction is to
 be given. This is not objectionable l have little faith in things which | come to us without effort on our part If these communities can be led to see what is needed. and stimulated to
 make improvements, if they can be led Y to contribute to the betterment of ed ucational facilities or, better still, fl
 they will demand an amendment to
 our constitution giving them the priv.
 ilege of taxing themselves for the ben eft of their individual districts. wt will have secured not only more ex- tensive grounds, more beautiful fur nishings. and more attractive build
 lngs, but a wiser public spirit. q truei
 sense of responsibility, and finer fit lness for citizenship.
 According to statistics lately secured by the department of education. there
 are in Alabama 3.S07 white rura
 schools, and to meet the demands oi lthese schools there are 3.306 buildings There are 519 of these buildings paint
 ed. and $40 have patent desks. Be. tween February 1. 1904, and February 1, 1905. 363 rural schols houses were erected. The estimated cost of this new construction has been $190,7S5, al tCOHIIlDuIeO DN tue peOpIe OI lue COni- munities where the buildings have beer erected; 365 buildings of various size:
 are in course of construction, or will be begun in a short time.
 But there is much yet to be done. Five
 hundred schools are to be supplied witt new buildings; and many of the old
 dilapidated. and inadequate building,
 now in use are to be replaced by new land better ones. All these are to b. Iequipped. the equipment of others i
 to be improved. and grounds are to b. Iextended and beautified
 The educational forces of the Stat are fast being harnessed. The Stat Department of Education has for sev
 eral years waged a vigorous campaign for educational improvements; the his
 tory of the Alabama Educational Asso . citation is a history of effort in thi direction. our State institutions O 1 learnings radiate an influence to thi
 end; the pulpit of the State lifts 1t . voice in this noble cause; the press 0 the State neglects no opportunity t advance the interests of the children 3 the Alabama Educational Committe 2 composed of some of the best men i the State. organized under the auspice
 Of the Stats Department of Education with the cooperation of the Souther i Education Board has for its object th