The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-11


 estirlg address delivered by Mrs. J. D. Matlock on Friday before the Educa- tfonal Convention. Mrs. Matlock IS chairman of the committee appointed hv inc Federation of Women's Clubs to orranize improvement associations in inc different school districts.
 Mrs Matlock said:
 T notice that through some mistake am listed in the program as President of the Alabama Federation of Womens Clubs. am happy to state that Mrs. Rhett Goode, of Mobile is our very ef- ncient president.
 At the last meeting ofsthe Federation at the suggestion of our earnest anu able State Superintendent Of Education. MT. Hill, a committee was appointed ito suggest to communities the forma- ton of school improvement associa- tions, whose object shall be to provide better school house facilities and to advance educational interests In the districts in which each is organized. have the privilege of serving as chair man of this committee I am grateful to your Executive Committee for the opportunity of telling you what we hope to do, and if secure your CO., operation, or your permission to co- operate with you. shall not. nave talked in vain.
 The prosperity, the culture. the re- fnement, the happiness of State, clty' town or rural community depends upon the educational advantages 1t enjoys, and the civilization of a people can be measured by the place children hold among them. The Master Himself, while on earth, took them in His blessed arms and said of them: "Of such Is the Kingdom of Heaven
 A child is educated by every influence with which he comes in contact. He Is being changed somehow for better or for worse every moment of his life. Education is direct and indirect, and that indirect education which comes from the invironment Is perhaps more influential and important than the di- rect instruction that comes from the teacher. Therefore 1t behooves every parent, every teacher, every citizen to make the school environment of our youth as nearly ideal as possible.
 Dr. Bailey tells us: Children cannot be forced to like the school They lHe it only when it Is worth liking, and when they like 1t they learn." In order that they shall like 1t the surroundings must be comfortable. sanitary and at- tractive. The teacher, who with her little band of pupils occupies the all too common box house with the wind whfstling through the cracks in walls and floor, with the stove in the middle of the room roasting those sitting near
 
 from it, with no shades to shut out the glare from the windows-if indeed there are enough windows to light the room with uncomfortable seats and no ap- paratus, with an exterior just as cheer less as the interior, realizes that the road to knowledge is indeed rugged and that very few will climb it. How many of our cities even have provided very excellent sanitary conditions in their schools? How many have stained floors that may be wiped or brushed instead os dry swept? How many have the. ceilings rounded where they join the walls, thus preventing the accumu. lation of the microbe- bearing dust How many have an arrangement by which the water runs over the brim; of the drinking cups during the tfmt of use?
 School boards, when about to .erec a new building should consult with tn, suL erintendent and principals, or thu teacher in charge, as to the practica needs of the school and employ the ser vices of an expert school architect. AnC when they shall have erected the mos commodious, the most convenient, tn, most comfortable, and the most beauti full building the needs of the communi ty require, furnished it with the mos modern equipment, and adorned tn, halls and rooms with copies of classi, statuary and of the worlds best pic lures, they will not have done too much Ruskin says: What we like deter. mines what we are; and to teach taste is inevitably to form character" If ar architect cannot be employed, recourse should be had to some of the ready pre- pared plans so easily obtained Oul Department of Education will furnish free, upon application, the very accept able plans prepared under the auspice, of this association, and excellent one. may be found in circular No 8, 1891, is sued by the United States Bureau o Education. Even the one room house, in the country may be of simple ant tasteful architecture with but little o, ID mere expense than the rude struc lures in general use,
 In locating the school building, the first consideration should be heaithfuI- ness; second, accessibility to all the pupils, and the plat of ground that na- ture has made most attractive in any city, village, or rural district is just good enough for the public school This plat of ground should comprise at least one acre, if possible three or more. Professor Bright of Chicago says: "A school yard Is adequate only when there is ample space for games and for characteristic trees, howerine shrubs and plants. and clinging vines as an integral part of the'play grounds When the school garden is added, the out-of-door conditions will be ideal In our cities and towns, if the schoo boards have realized the necessity oi spacious grounds, in the majority oi Instances they have not been successful Eve cant afford it, Is the cry of the taxpayer, and the politician takes uI the cry to further his own selfish aims -. -.