The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1906-12-07


that thoroly efficient sytem of educa-
ton comes next to the influence Of
patriotism In bringing about national
success OF this kind. Our federal form
tage to our people in certain ways. In
other ways undoubtedly limits our ma
tional effectiveness. II Is not possible.
for instance. for the national govern
ment TO take the lead in technical in
dustrial education, to see that the pub
lie school system of this country de-
velops on all its technical. industrial,
scientlhc and commercial sides. This
must be left primarily to the several
states Nevertheless. the national gov.
eminent has control of the schools of
the District of Columbia and 1t should
see that these schools promote and
encourage the fullest development of
the scholars in both commercial and in
dustrial training. The commercial
training should In one Of its branches
deal with foreign trade. The industrial
training is even more important. 1t
should be one Of our prime objects as
to work toward putting the mechanic,
the wageworker who works with his
hands, on higher plane of efficiency
and reward, so as to increase his eff.
fectiveness In the economic world, and
the dignity, the remuneration, and the
power of his position in the social
world Unfortunately, at present the
effect of some Of the work in the pub
direction. If boys and girls are
trained merely in literary accomplish
ments. to the total exclusion of indus
trial, manual, and technical training.
dustrial work and to make them re-
luctant to go into it, or unified to do
well if they do go into it. This is
tendency which should be strenuously
combated, Our industrial development
depends largely upon technical educa-
ton. including in this term all indus
trial education, from that which fits a
man to be good mechanic. good
carpenter, or blacksmith to that which
fits man to do the greatest engin-
eeering feat. The skilled mechanic
the skilled workman, can best become
such by technical industrial education.
The far-reaching usefulness Of insti-
tutes of technology and schools of
versally acknowledged, and no less
far-reaching Is the effect of good
building or mechanical trades school,
a. textile sdhe, or Matchmaking, or engrav-
velop not only manual dexterity but
industrial Intelligence. In information
al rivalry this country does not have
to fear the competition of pauper labor
as much as 1t has to fear the educated
labor of specially trained competitors;
and we should have the education of
the hand, eve, and brain which will fit
us to meet such competition.
help the wageworker who tolls with
his hands and who must eve hope in
constantly increasing measure) also
toll with his brain. Under the consti-
but little to direct Importance for his
welfare save where he Is engaged in
work which permits 1t to act under
the interstate commerce clause of the
why I so earnestly hope that both the
legislative and judicial branches of the
government will construe this clause of
the constitution In the broadcast possible
manner. We can, however. in such a
matter as Industrial training, in such a
matter as child labor and factory laws,
set an example to the states by enacting
the most advanced legislation that can
wisely be enacted for the District of CO.
lumbia.
Agricultural interests.
The only other persons whose welfare
country as is the welfare of the wage
workers are the tillers of the soil, the
farmers. 1t is mere truism to say that
no growth Of cities, no growth of wealth,
any falling off in the character and
of the farming population. Dur
ing the last few decades this fact has
been recognized with ever-increasing
ure to realize that farming, at least in
certain branches, must become techni-
cal and scientific profession. This means
that there must be open to the farmers
the chance for technical and scientific
training, not theoretical merely, but of
the most severely practical type. The
farmer represents peculiarly high type
Of American citizenship, and he must |
have the same chance to rise and develop |
as other American citizens have. More
over, 1t is exactly as true of the farmer |
as it is of the business man and the |
wagew orker, that the ultimate success of |
tla nf xul,i hn for o,.t
must be founded not alone on material
but upon high moral, mental, |
and physical development This educa-
ton of the farmer-sef-educ by |
outside, as with all other mems pc
,ularly necessary here in the United
States, where the frontier conditions
even in the newest states have now
substitution of more intensive system
If cultivation for the old wasteful farm
and where there must be
| better business organization among the
farmers themselves.
Good of Grange Organizations.
Several factors must cooperate in the
Improvement Of the farmers condition.
He must have the chance to be educated
n the widest possible sense-in the sense
which keeps ever in view the intimate
between the theory of edu-
,ation and the facts. of life. In all
QuCat10n we SnOulQ WlQen our aims. IL |
s a good thing to produce a certain num-
,er of trained scholars and students;
tut the education superintended by the
tate must seek rather to produce a hun
red good citizens than merely one
cholar and it must be turned now and
hen from the class book to the study
# the great book of nature itself. This
8 especially true of the farmer, as has
een pointed out again and again by all
observers most competent to pass prac-
ical judgment on the problems of our
ountry life. All students now realize
hat education must seek to train the
xecutive powers Of young people and to
onfer more real significance upon the
hrase dignity of labor" and to pre-
ARE the pupils so that in addition to
ach developing In the highest degree
lis individual capacity for work, they
nay together help create a right public
pinion, and show in many ways social
nd cooperative spirit. Organization has
ecome necessary in the business world;
nd it has accomplished much for good
4 the world of labor. 1t is no less neces-
airy for farmers. Such movement as
he grange movement Is good in itself
nd Is capable of a well-nigh infinite fur
her extension for good so long as it Is
ept to it's own legitimate business. The
enefits to be derived by the association
farmers for mutual advantage are
artly economic and partly sociological.
Moreover, while in the long run volun-
ary effort will prove more efficacious
IAN government assistance, while the
armers must primarily do most for
yet the government can also
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