Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-12-19

should have the wisdom immedi-
ately to increase salaries, not only
to retain our good teachers. but TO
attract the desirable ones from
other states.
The last General Assembly un-
dertook the accomplishment of
this coaamendable purpose. II
made an additional annual appro-
priation of two hundred thousand
dollars to be directed to the pay
ment of teachers salaries. This
increases by about ten per cent the
funds available for the salaries of
teachers. IL the county and dis
trict authorities will now respond
to this generous Legislative aid and
each provide an equal increased
amount, ample funds will be avail
able in each county TO pay the
teachers fair salary and to extend
the terms of the schools. The Sec
tions In the future cursed with poor
schools and teachers must blame
the local authorities who fail 10
meet the liberal and patriotic aid
given by the General Assembly.
appeal TO the county and district
school authorities to supplement-
this increased state aid. If this is
done in every county the improve
ment and the great success of our
entire public school system are
assured. At once suitable schools
will be provided to prepare our
children for a career of usefulness
and greatness. Let all of us, in
whose hands are placed the re-
sponsibility and power of public
schools in this State be brave
enough to do what is necessary to
make them efficient. Let us deter
mine to permit no chronic kickers,
no carplng misers to brighten US,
or deter us from the pathway of
educational progress. Let us firm
" and fearlessly continue our adj
vance until we have acquired an
educational system which will up
lift our people to the pinnacle of
intellectual splendor and material
prosperity. Let us make the
courses taught in our public
schools relate more to the daily
life and the expected occupations
Of the pupils. Let us ever keep
IN mind that the purpose of educa-
tion is TO develop health. to in
crease intelligence and to improve
morals. None of our institutions
bring to the people the blessings
and benefits equal to our public
schools They come to a poor
boy like they came to me, i'm
mersed in poverty, surrounded by
difficulties, whispering into his ear
promptings of hope, and tell him
to build high the pedestal of ambi-
ton and aspiration.
Let us reflect that expenditures
made by state for education pay
as a monyed investment. Those
people surpass in manufacturing
andindustrial enterprised who have
trained and educated experts to
manage them. The successful
argiculturists of the future will be
those who follow modern, scientific
farming. Ignorance is the most
Expensive misfortune of the age.
Deaths caused by a few microbes
whichknowledg can prevent exceed
each year the homicides microbes
and fatal accidents of a century.
Financial loss occasioned by few
destructive insects which science
can destroy each year exceed all
the ruin ever wrought by storm
and earthquake. Modern practical
knowledge means increased COM
forts and material wealth.
My friends, hail with delight
the great educational awakening in
Virginia. More new legislation.
moreincreased appropriations have
been given, more fine schools erect
ed and more practical benefits be-
slowed upon education during the
last year than in the previous de-
cade. Nearly half of the cities and
counties of this State have increas-
ed their school taxes. The present
annual increased local school taxes
for primary and high schools will
more than aggregate 100000
collars. l earnestly urge the au-
thorities of the remaining counties
to act and join this glorious process
sion of the remaining counties to
act and jon this glorious procession
OF counties in their march to supe-
nor Observation-Disclosures. About