The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-13


 better to have state board recommend three or four of the best books on each of the various subjects and then allow the local boards to select from such q list. But if we are compelled to have state uniformity for all the schools. let it be arranged so that an inferior work may be changed by a three-fifths vote of the state board at the end of any school year, and have a requirement that will secure only those books that are well built
 Compulsory Education.
 "If we secure the necessary legislation to bring about better school houses, longer terms, and a general educational awakening, then compulsory law should be enacted. It is sad commentary but true nevertheless, that many parents from ignorance of the blessings an education would bring to their children, or from an earnest desire to abstain from all bodily efforts and be supported wholly by their children or from genuine mean ness. will not send their children to school when it Is free and near their very door. Is there one here that would argue for one moment against the state. that is to support and protect the parent and the child, stepping in with a peremptory or
 
 "The parent, who Is too stingy ignor- ant or mean to look well after the best interests of his own children should have the state as a guardian, and that right early And the state that hestates too long when such things exist becomes criminally negligent and allows a blot to be placed upon her civilization that will be effaced only by years of extra toll trials and hardships.
 "A 1au oonDellihp children between tne ages of to II to attend school for at least four months each year, should go through the next legislature, 10 take eff feet two years after its passage.
 Libraries.
 "When comfortable well-bult school houses become general, d part of the equipment of each school should be a library suited to the grades. There is nothing that will aid more in creating enthusiasm In school subjects than q working library of excellent supplement tary matter If we succeed in creating special interest in a subject during the term. how our work is added 10 and strengthened if books are in the school library that we can assign for svaca- ton work If the. communities are to have the libraries that they need, the teach CTS must take the lead and see to it that this important educational help is neg lected no longer. Let us not hesitate be- cause of extra work. lack ot sympathy or any other cause, but enter the fray, determined to win against all odds, for the influence of the books placed there on the lives of many will be q sufficient monument to fully repay the tol and ex- pense. Have you not seen the life of the dull boy changed and duickened by the right book presenting tue true ideal? Have you not also seen the life Of the vicious made tenderer and sweeter by character study and the reading of heroic actions? If we are to do our full work and measure up to noble living, We must improve the surroundings of those de- pendent on us for intellectual advance ment. We must not forget that our mis- sion is to brighten and sweeten the lives of our pupils and patrons. that they may always feel that the world Is better from the fact that we have lived and worked Think of the blessings that will be heap ed mon the faithful teacher as the good work he started broadens and deepens while the ages roll by. When we place the really good literature in conlnun- ity we start an influence for truth and better living for happiness and righteous ness that will grow and spread as long as time goes on.-
 Salary and Term.
 "pubiic office is public trust, hence all the safeguards and inducements neees- sary to secure the very best talent should be instituted As a general rule, our of- ncers are too scantily paid, and the men who take the places do SD at too great T sacrifice It does not refute tho argu- ment by simply stating that the office never goes begging. We want to be just and fair and not miserly and narrow | vas delighted when the legislature de- cided to make the Governors salary 5000. Now if the next one will make each of the state house officers salary $Slso and up. according 70 eSppnsihjiirv and wnrk